In this post, we explore attorney retainer/advanced deposit fees and why, at Storch Law, PLLC, we don't require them. Retainer fees are an up-front deposit clients pay to ensure that there are enough funds to cover the attorney's legal fees, which are often not known at the beginning of a case. At Storch Law, PLLC, our policy is that we do not require up front retainers. Why? Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, and this holds true for the collaborative divorce process, too. I remind clients, especially those with children, that even though the couple is divorcing they will continue to have a relationship with their child's parent long after the divorce is over. In my experience, trust is a key ingredient to an effective collaborative divorce process. My clients pay their balance in full each month instead, and we find that they are more satisfied with the process. If working in a collaborative process, clients rely on a team of professionals, including attorneys, financial experts and mental health professionals, working together to help couples negotiate an equitable outcome for their family, without going to court. At Storch Law, PLLC building trust starts with the initial inquiry and setting out the parameters of the attorney/client relationship and collaborative divorce process -- without requiring an up-front retainer.