What is a retainer fee?

It is custom and practice for most family law attorneys to have a retainer fee agreement.  What this means is that the attorney's require an advance deposit of money to be applied against fees and costs.  Some attorneys retain the entire retainer payment whether or not the fees and costs total the amount of work completed.  Other attorneys refund any remaining balance to the client if the retainer is larger than the fees.  At the Law Office of Lisa Staight, A.P.L.C., our minimum retainer is $5,000.  The retainer is an initial retainer only and is not an opinion as to the total fees and costs to be incurred.  Each case is unique and therefore the fees and costs expended are different per case.  The balance of any retainer, not expended for fees and costs is always fully refundable to our clients.

What Forms of Payment Do You Accept?

We accept the following credit cards: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover.  We additionally accept payment by cash and check.

My spouse is the primary financial provider, does he pay for my attorney's fees?

There are many factors that the court looks at in determining whether or not to make a court order to pay attorney's fees and costs.  One of the factors includes a "financial need" so that each party can have proper representation.  Determining if your matter falls within these factors can be discussed in detail at the initial consultation.  If it is determined that attorney's fees are an issue in your matter a Request for Order for Attorney's fees and costs to be paid by your spouse can be handled sufficiently by our office.

If I retain the Law Offices of Lisa Staight, will she be accessible to answer my questions or will I be shuffled to an associate attorney?

Many initial questions are answered in the consultation appointment.  However, as a case progresses new questions and situations arise. Ms. Staight and her staff are readily available to you.  You are not going to be shuffled off to individuals who are not experienced with your case.  The Law Offices of Lisa Staight, A.P.L.C., work cohesively as a team.  There are often times that one of Ms. Staight's assistants can answer your questions efficiently at a much lower hourly rate.  However, we also understand that sometimes you just need the advice of your attorney.   Ms. Staight makes herself readily available to answer these questions often on the same day as the questions presented.  She is additionally available by e-mail, appointment, and telephone.

Why does the Attorney  Staight only handle matters in Orange County?

Ms. Staight believes that clients deserve an attorney who has knowledge of the Court house and are familiar with the Judicial Officers to which her client's cases will be decided.  So based on that decision, she choses to limit her practice specifically to family law matters in the Orange County Superior Court.

What sets the Law Offices of Lisa Staight apart?

Lisa Staight has practiced law for more than 30 years in Orange County.  She is a Certified Family Law Specialist, a respected designation earned by less than 160 attorneys in Orange County.  She has served as president of the Family Law Section Orange of the County Bar Association, and on the executive committees and boards of several legal organizations within the Orange County Bar and California State Bar.  She has been designated Super-Lawyer, an independent lawyer rating service, multiple times.  She has established a reputation of integrity and thoroughness, and a lengthy record of success.  At the negotiation table she is discreet, creative, and practical. In the courtroom she is assertive and professional. Her goal is to achieve her client's objectives in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Divorce, at its core, is a process of transformation. It is Ms. Staight's objective to direct her client through the transformation process to a new and better level of stability, where life will again go forward with hope and promise.