Lewiston
11 Lisbon Street
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Phone 207-786-0311
Fax 207-786-5612

Brunswick
101 Pleasant Street
Brunswick, Maine 04011
Phone 207-729-1181
Fax 207-729-1293

Yarmouth
305 Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine 04096
Phone 207-846-7760
Fax 207-846-0632

207-786-0311    1-800-Divorce

Fee Schedule

At Shankman & Associates Legal Center we try to make paying your fees as easy as possible. It is important to note that a retainer is always paid on or before your first meeting with one of our attorneys.The fees may be paid in cash, personal checks, money orders, MasterCard, Discover or Visa. This system allows us to keep our prices at a reasonable level, and creates an atmosphere, where financially you always know where you stand. Keep in mind we have a high volume of cases. We have Paralegals assisting our lawyers and we save time by using well-developed forms, constantly updated computers and the best software available. Thank-you for understanding.

Fees are broken down into the following categories:

Fees may be paid in cash, personal checks, money orders, MasterCard, Discover or Visa.  Payment is expected at the first meeting in our office.   Our prices are reasonably affordable because when you pay up front we do not need a complex and expensive billing system; we do not have collection problems to worry about; we have a high volume of cases because of advertising; we have Paralegals assisting our lawyers and we save time by using well-developed forms, constantly updated computers and the best software available.

This Fee Schedule includes only those legal problems which are most common.  We will gladly supply you with cost information on our other services.  For those cases in which a price is not specifically indicated, attorney time will be charged at $140.00 to $200.00 an hour, and Paralegal time at $60.00 per hour.

The following fees for legal services do not include any filing fees, service fees, recording fees, travel costs, online research costs or court costs.  These costs must be paid by the client in addition to the fees for legal services.  An estimate of these costs is available on request.

A “+” symbol means that the price for the service indicated is the minimum fee or retainer.  If (and only if) the time spent on the service increases beyond the equivalent of the retainer will an additional hourly rate be charged.

An initial case evaluation by telephone is available at no charge.  If deemed necessary by the responsible attorney, the free initial review of 10 to 15 minutes may be scheduled in-office.

DIVORCE/DOMESTIC RELATIONS(Filing Fees, etc. $60 - $250) [top]
Simple uncontested divorce (no minor children) $800.00
Simple uncontested divorce (agreement on all issues, no negotiations, no answer filed, no settlement agreement, no other attorney) 1,000.00
Contested divorce (no minor children) 1,750.00+
Contested divorce (with children) 2,000.00+
Contested divorce (custody at issue) 3,000.00+
Service of Process by Notice by Publication (Plus costs of $150 - $350) add 300.00
Separation/Settlement Agreement 300.00+
Protection from abuse (ex parte order) 150.00+
Protection from abuse hearing 750.00+
Uncontested modification of alimony, custody, Support or visitation 600.00
Contested modification of alimony, support or visitation 2,000.00+
Contested modification of custody 3,000.00+
Contempt of Court, violation of divorce judgment, or Motion for Arrearage 750.00+
Parental Rights & Responsibilities (uncontested) 800.00
Parental Rights & Responsibilities (contested) 2,000.00+
Pre-Marital Agreement 600.00+
BANKRUPTCY** [top]
Individual, Consumer Debt (filing fee $299.00) 1,000.00+
Spouses, Consumer Debt (filing fee $299.00) 1,100.00+
Business/Corporate (filing fee $299.00) 2,000.00+
Fifteen or more creditors add 100.00 (per 15)
Reaffirmation or Redemption add 150.00 (each)
Above median income add 500.00+
Wage Earner/Chapter 13 (filing fee $274.00) 2,000.00+
Involuntary 2,000.00+
Amendment to Petition (filing fee $26.00) 175.00
Dischargeability Litigation 1,500.00+
Abuse Litigation 1,500.00+
Dismissal Litigation 1,500.00+
Debtor Audits 1,500.00+
Motions for Relief from Stay 500.00+
Conversion from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 (filing fee $25) 500.00+
** Federal law now requires additional documentation and program participation. There will be extra out-of-pocket expenses for Debtors to pay. These often include: Credit Reports (minimum $45.00 per Person); Tax Transcripts (minimum $20 - $75 per person); Credit Counseling that must be completed prior to filing ($50 minimum); and Debtor Education that must be taken prior to bankruptcy process being completed ($50 minimum).
CONSUMER [top]
General Power of Attorney $80.00
Special Power of Attorney 120.00
Promissory Note (demand) 80.00
Promissory Note (installment) 120.00
Promissory Note (variable rate) 160.00
Preparation of Bill of Sale 80.00
Simple demand letter 160.00
Document Review 80.00+
REAL ESTATE(Costs extra) [top]
Mortgage Foreclosure Defense $1,000.00+
Predatory Lending Issues 1,000.00+
Sell residence (prepare deed, advice on purchase and sale agreement, review closing documents, representation at in-town closing) 480.00+
Buy residence (prepare purchase and sale agreement, review deed and closing documents, representation at in-town closing) 560.00+
Quiet Title (uncontested) 1,600.00+
Partition (uncontested) 1,600.00+
Title Search (plus Abstractor's Fee) 200.00+
Purchase and Sale Agreement for Real Estate 160.00+
Simple Quit Claim Deed 100.00
Simple Warranty Deed 100.00
Simple Mortgage 120.00
Variable rate/flexible mortgage 160.00+
Complex Deeds 160.00+
Bond for Deed 320.00+
Review and advice on Residential Lease 80.00
Preparation of Residential Lease 160.00+
Lease with Option to Buy 320.00+
Notice to Quit 160.00
Forcible Entry and Detainer 480.00+
Tenant's dispute with Landlord 480.00+
PARTNERSHIPS [top]
General Partnership Agreement $ 480.00+
Limited Partnership Agreement 640.00+
Dissolution Agreement 480.00+
CORPORATIONS(plus costs in parentheses) [top]
Incorporation through first meeting ($218.00) 500.00+
Voluntary Dissolution ($75.00) 240.00+
Incorporation of non-profit group ($113.00) 500.00+
Annual Report and Clerk's fee ($85.00) 160.00
Purchase and Sale of Business 1,000.00+
Establishing Limited Liability Company ($255.00) 500.00+
Annual Report & LLC Agent's fee ($85.00) 160.00
WILLS AND ESTATE PLANNING [top]
Individual Simple Will $120.00
Individual Will with Simple Trust for Children 160.00
Spouses, Simple Wills, Reciprocal 160.00
Spouses, Simple Wills, Reciprocal, Trust for Children 240.00
Simple Codicil (amendment) 120.00
Living Will (contemporaneous with Will) 60.00
Trusts or other complicated provisions add 160.00+
Simple Intervivos Living Trust 160.00+
Estate Planning 160.00+
PROBATE COURT PROCEEDINGS (Costs Extra) [top]
Adoptions
Step-parent (uncontested) $640.00
Notice by Publication (plus costs) add 160.00
Step-parent (contested) 960.00+
Termination of Parental Rights (uncontested) 160.00
Termination of Parental Rights (contested) 640.00+
Agency Adoption 1,280.00+
Non-Agency Adoption 1,600.00+
Adult 960.00+
Extra Child in same proceeding add 320.00
Name Change (hearing extra) 240.00+
Guardianships
Appointment through inventory (uncontested) 640.00
Contested hearing 1,280.00+
Defense against petition for guardianship 1,280.00+
Probate of Estate 1,000.00+
CRIMINAL** [top]
Class "D" or "E" crimes $800.00+
Class "A", "B" or "C" crimes (plea) 1,600.00+
Non-Jury trial add 800.00+
Jury trial add 1,600.00+
Operating under the influence (OUI) 800.00+
OUI (Administrative hearing/BMV) 320.00
Operating after suspension (OAS) 800.00+
Speeding/Traffic 480.00+
**NOTE: Fees in criminal and traffic cases must be paid in full prior to the entry of the attorney's appearance.