Contingency Fee

In divorce cases, an unethical type of fee agreement providing the lawyer with a percentage of your settlement or judgment.

In divorce cases an unethical type of fee agreement that provides the lawyer with a percentage of your settlement or judgment.No greedy, unethical lawyer has any business taking a percentage of your settlement or judgment. Why should a non-spouse share in the marital estate? Does your lawyer intend to pay you alimony? While appropriate in personal injury and certain other types of cases, contingency fees have no place in divorce proceedings.
If you interview a lawyer who wants a contingency fee, say "have a nice day" and report him to the state bar. Such fees in divorce cases are prohibited by the Cannons of Ethics in most states. While the term "legal ethics" appears to be an oxymoron, state regulators take these charges seriously.