At Robertson + Easterling, we represent individuals facing some of life’s most difficult transitions—often involving complex financial portfolios, business interests, and custody arrangements. When prospective clients ask whether we offer flat fee divorce representation, our answer is usually no—and for good reason.
While flat fee billing may sound attractive on the surface, it rarely serves the best interests of clients navigating high-asset, high-conflict, or emotionally charged divorces. In fact, for affluent individuals with meaningful assets or reputations at stake, a flat fee can lead to overpayment, undervalued representation, and ultimately, poor outcomes.
Here’s why.
Flat Fees in Divorce Law: The Hidden Costs
A flat fee is a single, upfront price for a predetermined scope of legal services. While this structure offers predictability, it doesn’t account for the nuances, complexities, and surprises that are inevitable in sophisticated divorce cases.
Simple Matters Get Overcharged
If your divorce ends up being amicable or resolves quickly, a flat fee will still include built-in costs for potential conflict and complexity—regardless of whether they materialize. You may pay thousands more than the actual work required, simply to hedge against what could have happened.
Complex Matters Get Underserved
On the other hand, if your case involves forensic accounting, business valuations, executive compensation, or difficult custody disputes, a flat fee caps the attorney’s financial incentive to keep pushing. Once the flat fee is exhausted, every additional hour of work diminishes the attorney’s profitability—and that often means the work does not get done, corners get cut or important issues get delegated to junior staff.
No Incentive to Go the Extra Mile
With a flat fee, once the retainer is paid, the law firm’s job becomes managing workload—not exceeding expectations. There is simply no financial motivation to chase down additional details, respond to your late-night concerns, or pivot when things get complicated. If you value high-touch service, strategy sessions, and full-spectrum advocacy, flat fee billing is not your friend.
Why Hourly Billing Makes Sense for High-Net-Worth Divorce in Mississippi
At R+E, we work almost exclusively on an hourly basis—because that’s what best serves our clients. We aren’t trying to be the cheapest lawyers in Mississippi. We’re committed to delivering thoughtful, tailored, and thorough representation, especially for clients whose lives, families, and finances are far from ordinary. We tried flat fee billing, but we simply think the traditional model works best for most Mississippians.
You Pay for What You Need—No More, No Less
Hourly billing ensures our fees reflect the actual time, energy, and legal strategy required for your situation—not a hypothetical average case. If we resolve things quickly, your invoice reflects that. If your matter requires extra effort or negotiation, you receive the full benefit of our experience without your attorney feeling “stuck” under a fixed budget.
Your Attorney Remains Fully Engaged
Hourly billing keeps your attorney actively working for you—not just coasting until the fee is “earned.” We have every incentive to be responsive, detail-oriented, and proactive. In fact, many of our clients appreciate how we don’t waste time—but we don’t waste opportunities, either.
We Eliminate What’s Unnecessary
There’s a myth that hourly lawyers pad the clock. At Robertson + Easterling, we do the opposite. We’re known for our honesty, transparency, and efficiency. Our reputation in the Mississippi legal community is built on achieving real results—not churning paper. We are simply too busy and too much efficiency junkies to waste your money or our time for needless legal wrangling.
A Sophisticated Approach for Sophisticated Clients
If you’re facing a divorce in Mississippi and your life includes business holdings, real estate portfolios, complex income streams, or you simply value discretion and quality, flat fee legal representation is not designed for you. What you need is a trusted, experienced legal team who understands the high stakes and treats your case with the precision, discretion, and sophistication it deserves.
At Robertson + Easterling, our clients know they are paying for excellence—not excess.
Let’s Talk
If you’re considering divorce and need a strategic, high-level team to guide you through it, schedule a confidential consultation with our office. We’ll walk you through our hourly structure, show you how we manage costs and expectations, and—most importantly—begin building a plan tailored to your life, your goals, and your legacy.riage, know this: You are not alone, and it’s never too late to reconnect.
