Gilmer Law Firm PLLC • 15 MetroTech Plaza, 7th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 • 718-928-6492
If you are looking for a flat fee attorney in Brooklyn or a limited scope attorney in Brooklyn, you are not alone. New York City is expensive, and traditional retainers for family law and related litigation can start around $7,500 and climb quickly depending on the case. Many working families and middle-income New Yorkers are forced to choose between going fully pro se or going into financial strain just to get legal help. Gilmer Law Firm PLLC offers a practical middle path: transparent flat fees and limited scope representation so you can hire a lawyer for the parts of your case that matter most—without committing to full representation from day one.
Affordable Options for NYC Working Families
A limited scope model is built for real budgets. Instead of paying a large upfront retainer for “everything,” you can purchase a defined service: a petition that starts your case, a motion that asks for urgent relief, an opposition that prevents a default, or a single court appearance that sets the next order. You keep control over cost and pacing, while still getting strategic legal work from a Brooklyn family law attorney.
- Pay-as-you-go services (one document, one motion, or one appearance)
- Per-service flat fees with a three-tier system (Essentials, Standard, Complex)
- Flat fees for certain entire matters (quoted after an initial consultation)
- Payment-plan options in appropriate matters (terms confirmed in writing)
What Is Limited Scope Representation?
Limited scope representation—also called unbundled legal services or a la carte legal services—means you hire an attorney for specific tasks rather than every step from start to finish. You still receive professional drafting, courtroom strategy, and procedural guidance, but only for the parts you select and that are confirmed in writing.
Common limited scope services include:
- Drafting or reviewing petitions, answers, motions, affirmations/affidavits, and proposed orders
- Preparing or correcting financial disclosure documents (including divorce disclosure where required)
- Coaching you for court or representing you for a single appearance in Brooklyn Family Court or Kings County Supreme Court
- Negotiating and drafting a settlement stipulation for defined issues (custody/visitation terms, support terms, or settlement language)
This model is especially useful in custody and visitation disputes, child support cases, paternity matters, order of protection proceedings, uncontested divorce, and early-stage contested divorce steps. It can also be critical in ACS matters (neglect and abuse allegations) and daycare/OCFS administrative defense, where deadlines are fast and paperwork must be precise.
Why Limited Scope Representation Is Trending in New York
Limited scope representation is a growing trend nationally and in New York because it addresses the access-to-justice problem in high-volume courts. In Family Court and Housing Court, a large share of litigants appear without counsel. When that happens, even a strong case can get derailed by missed deadlines, incomplete paperwork, or an unfocused presentation of facts.
New York’s ethics rules expressly allow lawyers and clients to agree to a limited scope when it is reasonable and the client gives informed consent. New York’s courts, bar groups, and access-to-justice initiatives have also produced training materials and program models that encourage limited scope services where they can improve outcomes and reduce burden on the system.
Research on “in-court” limited scope models suggests that even targeted help—like preparing papers or appearing for one court date—can materially improve outcomes compared to going entirely pro se. For Brooklyn families, that often translates to fewer defaults, clearer requests for relief, better-structured stipulations, and faster progress toward stable orders.
Three-Tier Flat Fee Pricing: Essentials, Standard, Complex
Because cases vary, Gilmer Law Firm PLLC uses a three-tier structure so simple matters stay affordable while urgent, exhibit-heavy, or high-conflict matters are priced fairly. After an initial consultation and conflict check, we confirm the tier and the exact scope in writing.
- Tier 1 – Essentials: simple facts, minimal exhibits, normal deadlines
- Tier 2 – Standard: typical NYC matter, moderate exhibits, moderate conflict
- Tier 3 – Complex/Emergency: urgent deadlines, heavy exhibits, high conflict, special complications
Tiers are not about a “better” or “worse” client—they reflect the work required. If something starts simple but becomes complicated, we discuss options before any additional work is performed.
Flat Fees for Entire Matters: Quoted After Consultation
We do offer flat fees for certain entire matters (for example, an uncontested divorce package, a custody/visitation package, or certain administrative hearing packages). Because complexity, deadlines, and court posture change the work required, full-matter flat fees are determined only after an initial consultation and confirmed in a written engagement agreement.
Many clients start with a single limited scope service—like a petition, a motion, or one appearance—then convert to an entire-matter package once the path of the case is clearer.
What’s Included (and What’s Not)
Included (unless we state otherwise):
- A defined deliverable (drafted document(s), a filing-ready packet, a coaching session, or one appearance)
- A short strategy explanation so you understand what the filing does and what to expect next
- One reasonable revision round for drafted documents
Not included unless explicitly stated:
- Court filing fees and other court costs
- Process server fees, notary fees, transcripts, interpreters, experts, investigators
- Additional court dates beyond the appearance you purchased
- Additional revisions beyond the included round
Brooklyn Focus: Service Areas and Case Types
If you are searching for a Brooklyn child custody attorney, Brooklyn visitation lawyer, Brooklyn child support lawyer, Brooklyn paternity lawyer, a Brooklyn order of protection lawyer, or a Brooklyn divorce lawyer who offers flat fees, this page is designed to make your options easy to understand.
We serve clients throughout Brooklyn and New York City, including Downtown Brooklyn/MetroTech, Fort Greene, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, and Bensonhurst.
Practice areas commonly covered under this flat fee and limited scope model include custody, visitation, neglect, abuse, child support, paternity, orders of protection, divorce, ACS defense, daycare/OCFS matters, appeals, civil litigation, and judgment relief.
Per-Service Fee Menu: Flat Fees for High-Impact Steps
The fees below are attorney fees for limited scope services. Court fees and third-party costs (process servers, transcripts, experts, interpreters) are separate unless explicitly included. Drafting flat fees typically include one reasonable revision round. Entire-matter packages are quoted after consultation.
Family Court (Custody, Visitation, Support, Paternity, Orders of Protection)
| Service | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| Virtual court appearance (non-evidentiary) | $595 | $650 | $795 |
| In-person court appearance (non-evidentiary) | $795 | $875 | $950 |
| Hearing/trial day (evidentiary) | $1,295 | $1,650 | $2,195 |
| Petition or response drafting | $399 | $595 | $895 |
| Motion or opposition drafting | $650 | $950 | $1,250 |
| Settlement stipulation drafting (single issue) | $450 | $650 | $850 |
Divorce (Kings County Supreme Court) – A La Carte
| Service | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| Summons with Notice (draft) | $250 | $350 | $450 |
| Verified Complaint (draft) | $450 | $650 | $850 |
| Answer (draft) | $350 | $450 | $650 |
| Verified Answer + Counterclaims (draft) | $550 | $750 | $950 |
| Statement of Net Worth (prep) | $495 | $695 | $995 |
| Discovery demands (draft) | $350 | $495 | $650 |
| Discovery responses (draft) | $695 | $995 | $1,295 |
| Motion or opposition package (draft) | $950 | $1,250 | $1,650 |
| Court appearance (conference) | $650 | $850 | $1,100 |
| Hearing/trial day | $1,295 | $1,650 | $2,195 |
Uncontested Divorce (Flat Fee Packages – Attorney Fee Only)
| Package | Flat fee |
| Tier 1 – Simple Uncontested Divorce | $795 |
| Tier 2 – Uncontested Divorce + Written Agreement | $1,495 |
| Tier 3 – Uncontested Divorce + Complex Terms (still uncontested) | $2,195 |
ACS / Neglect / Abuse (Brooklyn/NYC)
| Service | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| First-response consult + action plan | $350 | $450 | $550 |
| Court appearance package (prep + appearance) | $1,295 | $1,650 | $2,195 |
| Hearing day (fact-finding) | $1,295 | $1,650 | $2,195 |
| Article 78 – starting at | $5,000 | $7,500 | $12,500 |
Daycare / OCFS Administrative Defense (NYC)
| Service | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| Strategy consultation | $450 | $650 | $850 |
| Administrative hearing day | $1,950 | $2,500 | $3,500 |
| Article 78 – starting at | $5,000 | $7,500 | $12,500 |
Appeals (NY)
| Service | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| Notice of appeal + service guidance | $650 | $750 | $950 |
| Appellate brief – starting at | $5,000 | $7,500 | $12,500 |
Civil Litigation (Select Matters)
| Service | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| Demand letter | $350 | $550 | $850 |
| Summons & Complaint – starting at | $1,250 | $1,750 | $2,500 |
| Motion to dismiss – starting at | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,250 |
| Summary judgment – starting at | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Discovery responses – starting at | $995 | $1,650 | $2,500 |
Default Judgment / Frozen Bank Account Relief
| Service | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| Vacate default judgment package | $1,650 | $2,500 | $3,500 |
| Emergency restraint/garnishment relief – starting at | $1,250 | $1,750 | $2,500 |
Entire-Matter Packages (Starting Prices – Quoted After Consultation)
These are starting prices only. The final flat fee is quoted after consultation and depends on scope, deadlines, and complexity.
Entire-Matter Packages
| Entire-matter package (quoted after consult) | Starting at |
| Custody/Visitation Case Package | $2,995 |
| Support Modification/Enforcement Package | $1,995 |
| Order of Protection Defense Package | $1,995 |
| Contested Divorce Starter Package (limited scope) | $3,995 |
| Administrative Hearing Package (Daycare/OCFS) | $7,500 |
Common Add-Ons
Some matters require speed or extra drafting cycles. These common add-ons keep pricing transparent.
Add-Ons
| Add-on | Flat fee |
| Rush turnaround (deadline under 72 hours) | +$150 to +$500 |
| Additional revision round | $150 per round |
| E-filing / filing handled by firm (when available) | $150 to $350 |
How to Get Started
- Schedule an initial consultation so we can confirm deadlines, scope, and conflicts.
- Pick a service (or package) from the menu and confirm Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 pricing in writing.
- Receive the deliverable (filing-ready draft, coaching, or an appearance), and decide whether you want to add services as the case develops.
If you are unsure what you need, we can help you choose the highest-impact step first—for example, a petition that frames your custody or visitation request, a response that prevents a default, or a motion that asks for the relief you need right away.
FAQ
- Do you offer flat fees for entire cases?
Yes. We offer flat-fee packages for certain matters, but full-matter flat fees are determined after an initial consultation to confirm complexity, deadlines, and scope.
- Can I hire you for one court appearance in Brooklyn Family Court?
Yes. Many clients hire us pay-as-you-go for a single appearance in custody, visitation, child support, paternity, or order of protection matters.
- What does ‘limited scope’ mean?
It means you hire the lawyer for specific tasks (document drafting, a motion, coaching, or one appearance) rather than full representation.
- What is included in a flat fee?
We define deliverables in writing (for example: draft plus one revision, filing-ready packet, or one appearance). Court fees and third-party costs are separate unless stated.
Contact
Gilmer Law Firm PLLC
15 MetroTech Plaza, 7th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-928-6492
Website: gilmerlegal.com
Attorney Advertising. This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Fees are confirmed only in a written engagement agreement and may change over time.
References (for readers who want sources)
- New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), Rule 1.2(c) (limited scope representation).
- New York Courts, Partners in Justice: “Unbundled Legal Services in Litigated Matters” (nycourts.gov).
- New York State Bar Association report on Limited Scope Representation (NYSBA).
- Fund for Modern Courts, Help Centers White Paper (noting high rates of unrepresented litigants in Family Court).
- Yale Law Journal Note: “Attorney for the Day: Measuring the Efficacy of In-Court Limited-Scope Representation.”
