Flat-Fee Divorce Attorney? “Free” Consultation? Here’s the Catch.
You searched for a flat-fee divorce attorney or a free consultation in Las Vegas — you want to keep costs under control, and that’s smart. But these two common offers can quietly cost you more. Here’s how each one really works, in plain words — and a more honest way to start.
For your $199, you leave with the best advice for your case — not just a sales pitch.
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If you’re comparing a flat-fee divorce attorney against a free consultation family lawyer in Las Vegas, the most important thing to understand is what each offer includes — and what it leaves out. Below is a plain-English breakdown for Clark County families, followed by how a paid $199 family law strategy session compares.
The short version
- A flat fee usually works only for a simple, fully uncontested divorce.
- If the case becomes contested, a flat-fee deal can switch to hourly — and cost more.
- A “free” consultation is often a sales meeting, not case-specific advice.
- We charge $199 for one honest hour with a real lawyer — credited to your case if you hire us.
Why a “flat-fee divorce attorney” can cost you more
What is a flat-fee divorce attorney?
A flat-fee divorce attorney charges one set price for a specific service — usually a simple, uncontested divorce. That price often covers document preparation and filing only, and may not include court hearings, custody disputes, or contested issues. Nevada divorce is governed by NRS Chapter 125.
It sounds safe. But here’s what one set price doesn’t tell you.
A flat fee usually covers only an easy case. No fighting. No custody battle. No hidden money.
If your ex pushes back, a flat-fee deal can switch to charging by the hour.
So you can pay the flat fee and the hourly bill. You may end up paying more, not less.
Many people never learn what the flat fee left out — until it is too late to change course.
Why a “free consultation” isn’t really free
What is a free consultation with a divorce lawyer?
A free consultation is a short first meeting with a lawyer at no charge. It is often used to review your case and decide whether to take you on as a client — which means it can be built around signing you up, not giving you in-depth advice.
A free meeting sounds great. But someone still pays for the lawyer’s time — and that shapes what the meeting is for.
A free first meeting is often just 15 minutes — and that short time is often there to sign you up, not to study your case.
In a free consult, the lawyer is paid only if you say yes. So the focus often leans toward signing you up — not a full look at your case.
You can walk out paying for more than your case really needs.
Sometimes the honest answer is “you may not need a lawyer for this.” A free pitch rarely says that.
Pay for the truth, not a pitch.
We don’t do flat-fee divorce gimmicks or free sales meetings. You get one honest hour with a real lawyer — and a straight answer about where you stand.
The pitch
- ✕ A “flat fee” that can turn into hourly when your case gets hard.
- ✕ A “free” meeting that’s often just 15 minutes — and often focused on signing you up.
- ✕ Pressure to buy more than you need.
- ✕ Surprises later, when it’s too late to walk away.
Honest advice
- ✓ A full hour — not a rushed 15-minute call. Our only job is to help you.
- ✓ We tell you the truth — even if it’s “you may not need us.”
- ✓ Hire us and you get clear hourly billing — you see the work.
- ✓ The $199 goes toward your case if you hire us.
Reviewed by Jennifer Setters, J.D.
Jennifer Setters is a Nevada-licensed family law attorney (State Bar of Nevada No. 13126) and a graduate of the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law. She has practiced family law exclusively in Clark County’s Eighth Judicial District Court since 2018, and the firm’s six attorneys have handled more than 5,000 cases (based on firm records) in English and Spanish across Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas.
Flat-fee attorneys & free consultations: common questions
Is a flat-fee divorce a good idea in Las Vegas?
A flat fee can work for a truly uncontested divorce with no children and no disputed property. If any issue becomes contested, many flat-fee agreements allow the attorney to switch to hourly billing or require a new fee agreement, so it is important to ask what is included before you sign. For typical price ranges, see our Las Vegas divorce cost guide.
What should I ask before hiring a flat-fee attorney?
Ask what the flat fee includes, what it excludes, whether court appearances are covered, what happens if the case becomes contested, and whether the agreement converts to hourly billing. Getting those answers in writing protects you from surprise costs later.
Is a free consultation with a divorce lawyer actually free?
The meeting may cost nothing to attend, but a free consultation is often structured as a sales meeting to sign you up as a client. A paid strategy session gives you focused, case-specific advice instead of a pitch.
Why doesn’t Gastelum Attorneys offer free consultations?
We offer a paid $199 strategy session so your hour is spent on honest advice about your specific case — not on a sales presentation. If you hire the firm, the $199 is credited toward your case.
What does the $199 family law strategy session include?
One hour with a licensed Nevada family law attorney who reviews your situation and gives you straight answers about your options. If you hire the firm, the fee is applied to your case, and ongoing work is billed at a clear hourly rate so you can see what was done.
Flat fee vs. hourly: what’s the difference for a divorce?
A flat fee is one fixed price for a limited, defined service. Hourly billing charges for the actual time your case takes, usually with a retainer up front. For contested or complex cases, hourly billing reflects the real work involved rather than a price that may not cover it.
How much does a divorce consultation cost in Las Vegas?
Many Las Vegas firms advertise a free consultation, which is often a short screening call. At Gastelum Attorneys, a family law strategy session is $199 for a full hour with a licensed Nevada attorney — and if you hire the firm, the $199 is credited toward your case.
Is it worth paying for a divorce consultation?
It can be. A paid strategy session buys focused, case-specific advice and a clear plan for your next steps, rather than a brief screening. For many people, one honest hour up front helps avoid far more costly mistakes later.
Talk to a real lawyer today.
One honest hour. Straight answers about your case. No pressure, no sales pitch.
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