Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is it true that the mother is always awarded custody of the kids in a custody/divorce matter?
- No. Custody determinations are based on the best interests of the children. Courts do not automatically award custody to the mother, and factors such as each parent’s role as a primary caregiver are considered rather than gender.
2) How much does a divorce with children typically cost? Without children?
• Costs vary depending on whether the case is contested or uncontested and the amount of property/assets b divided between the two parties. The following are estimated initial retainer fees. Please note that our office may request an additional retainer if your balance approaches $2,000.00 and your case remains ongoing.
-With children:
• Contested: approximately $20,000–$25,000
• Uncontested: approximately $5,000–$15,000
Without children:
• Contested: approximately $10,000–$25,000
• Uncontested: approximately $5,000–$15,000
3) What types of cases does your law firm handle?
- Our firm handles a wide range of matters, including divorce, paternity, legal separation, annulment, personal injury, criminal defense matters such as DUI, protection orders, and evictions. Other types of criminal cases may be accepted at the discretion of the attorney, depending on the circumstances of the case.
4) How much experience do you have?
- Our firm offers extensive legal experience across a wide range of practice areas. Attorney Bob Parker has approximately 37 years of legal experience, attorney Lisa Stava has 31 years of experience, and the Hon. Stephen R. Illingworth with over 33 years of service on the State of Nebraska Tenth Judicial District Bench, and 49 years of experience as an attorney.
5) How do you charge/bill for your services?
- We require an upfront retainer fee. Services are billed hourly, with time tracked in 6-minute increments (e.g., 0.2 = 12 minutes, 0.5 = 30 minutes) and are taken out of retainer fee throughout the case. Billing statements are sent out monthly with detailed explanations of what was done for your case for each amount. If the initial retainer is depleted before the matter is concluded, we may request an additional retainer to continue and complete representation.
6) Who will be working on my case?
- Your case may involve multiple professionals, including:
• Attorneys:
o Bob Parker – $350/hour
o Hon. Steve Illingworth, ret. -$350/hour
o Lisa Stava – $225/hour
• Paralegals/Law Clerks:
o Eva, Emily, Kenzie – $150/hour
7) Does your office offer a free initial consultation, or what is your fee for an initial consultation?
- The fee for an initial 1-hour consultation with Attorney Parker is $200. CLC members are entitled to a free 30-minute consultation.
8) Is everything discussed/handled by your office on my case kept confidential?
- Yes. All sensitive information shared with our office is kept confidential and handled in accordance with professional and ethical standards.
9) What counties/cities do you handle cases in?
- Our firm serves clients in Adams, Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Thayer, Webster, Kearney, Nuckolls, and York Counties, including all cities, towns, and villages located within those counties.
10) Will I ever have to testify in Court?
• Civil cases: If the matter is contested, testimony is likely. If the case is uncontested, court appearances may be avoided.
• Criminal cases: This depends on the specific circumstances, but testimony is not required in many types of cases handled by our firm.
11) What’s the statute of limitations on a personal injury case?
- In Nebraska, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is four years from the date the injury occurred. Certain cases, such as those involving claims against governmental entities or specific types of injuries, may be subject to shorter notice requirements or different deadlines. Because missing a deadline can permanently bar a claim, it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to determine how the statute of limitations applies to your specific situation.