Divorce Process & Transparent Pricing

Meet Founder - Chris Macturk

“Starting the process of separation and divorce can be overwhelming and filled with uncertainties. We have a lot of experience in these cases and can certainly help explain the processes, choices, and pathways to your goals.

What does the journey look like? It all begins with the initial consultation. This is where we get to know each other and formulate a plan of action based on your goals.

We will introduce you to various ways to achieve your goals, by settlement or by going to court. There are several options to choose from. We can help you choose, giving you our advice and recommendations on how to proceed.

But what about the cost? For nearly 20 years, when I billed by the hour, anxious clients often asked at our first meeting, "How much will this cost?" The reality was, I didn’t always know. Legal matters can be unpredictable, and hourly billing meant costs could vary depending on the complexity and time required. This uncertainty often added to the stress my clients were already experiencing. Instead of focusing fully on their case, many worried about the unknowns of legal fees.

I wanted to do what I could to reduce client stress and provide clarity around costs. I also wanted a close working relationship with my clients, because only then could I do my best work.

With the experience I gained after practicing law for over 20 years, I created Evolution Divorce & Family Law in 2017. We offer clear and flexible pricing options to give our clients more control over the cost of their case. In many instances, our Pre-Agreed Pricing model provides cost certainty by establishing pricing upfront. In other cases, our Hourly Pricing model offers the flexibility needed for evolving legal matters.

No matter the pricing approach, our goal is to remove financial uncertainty where possible and focus on building a strong working relationship with you.”

Chris Macturk

Founding Attorney

Experience That Works for You

Evolution Divorce & Family Law, PLLC
o Founding Attorney – 2017 to present
Barnes & Diehl, P.C.
o Shareholder – 2006 to 2017
o Associate – 2000 to 2006
University of Richmond School of Law
o Adjunct Professor – August 2016 to January 2017
Christopher H. Macturk, Attorney at Law
o Sole Practitioner – 1996 to 2000

Professional Associations & Memberships

Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Chair, Virginia Bar Association, Domestic Relations Section, (2021-2024)
President, Henrico County Bar Association (2008-2009)
President, Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association (2012-2013)

Types of Divorce in Virginia

In Virginia, divorce is broken into two types:

Uncontested Divorce (Separation Agreement/No Fault Divorce)

An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse have agreed to separate and legally end your marriage through divorce.

The process requires living separate and apart for a specified period of time (6 months to a year, as required by Virginia law), and you both have to agree to resolve the matter without a court — which you can do with an attorney, mediator, financial advisors, or some combination of them.

An uncontested divorce:
• Personal matters remain out of court
• Parties agree to resolve their separation agreement without a judge
• Reach the agreement together, with the help of attorneys and other professionals as required

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Contested Divorce (No Agreement/Fault Divorce)

If you and your spouse cannot agree to the terms of the divorce — or a partner is at fault through committing adultery, cruelty, abandonment, or other factors — the divorce may be contested.

Contested divorces require the local court to get involved and decide on how to end your marriage, divide assets, and dictate terms of child custody. While we try to avoid contested divorces, sometimes doing so is not possible.

A contested divorce:
• Partners cannot agree on terms of the separation
• Court determines the outcome because the parties can’t agree
• Often arises when one party is at fault through adultery, abandonment, or cruelty, but can arise in other circumstances as well

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Juvenile Court

For unmarried people who have children, or separated couples who are not yet divorced but living separately, sometimes a court needs to get involved when disputes arise to resolve issues involving kids. In Juvenile Court, you can file for custody and visitations, child support, or spousal support.

Let’s work together to get what’s best for your children.

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"What Are Your Prices?"

At Evolution, we offer flexible pricing options, including Pre-Agreed Pricing and Hourly Pricing, determined during our initial consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your goals and assess your case to determine the best approach. While the specifics are discussed in our first meeting, here is a general range of the pricing and pricing packages we offer, along our current hourly rates:

Separation Agreements / Uncontested Divorce

From $4,500 to $13,500+*

Juvenile Court Litigation for Child Custody, Visitation, Child Support & Spousal Support

From $8,500 to $13,500+*

Circuit Court Litigation for Contested Divorce

From $7,000 to $35,000+*

Mediation Services: where one of the attorneys at Evolution Divorce serves as a neutral mediator and not an attorney

$5,000 for first three sessions and a draft of an agreement based on terms discussed and agreed upon by the parties to mediation ($1,000 per additional session)

The specifics of the pricing packages will be reviewed in detail with you at the initial consultation.

We go over not only the facts and circumstances of your case at the initial consultation, but also the specifics of various pricing options you can choose from. We want to make sure we are pricing your case most appropriately for your needs and your goals. We also want to make sure you can ask any questions you may have about our Pre-Agreed Pricing Agreement.
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Keep in mind there may be fees for other specialists, if needed, like mediators, counselors and coaches, or financial professionals. But at Evolution, you will know our costs before work together.

*Service Level Enhancements

Because there are variables to every case, you may require additional layers of support, such as retirement division, specific needs for business owners, or mediation, or additional issues involving minor children, certain enhancements may be required. These will be outlined at the start of our representation, and you will choose which options you want to pay for and which options you don’t.

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INITIAL CONSULTATION

Let’s meet. We’ll talk about goals, then look at pricing to help you reach them.

Before discussing costs, we start by understanding your goals, exploring options, and determining next steps. Unlike firms that bill only hourly, we offer both hourly and Pre-Agreed Pricing, giving you flexibility, transparency, and confidence in your choice.

Pre-Agreed Pricing Benefits:

1. Predictability

You’ll know the costs upfront, providing clarity and allowing for better financial planning during an already stressful time.

2. Open Communication

Communicate freely throughout the process, knowing that you’re not accumulating additional charges with each conversation.

3. A Focus on Resolution

Our goal is to achieve the best outcome for you, not to rack up billable hours. Pre-Agreed Pricing ensures we are aligned in working toward your success.

4. No Surprises

With Pre-Agreed Pricing, you’re guaranteed no unexpected invoices. Your legal fees are transparent and fixed.

5. Value-Based Service

You pay for our experience, expertise, and commitment to guiding you through your case, not the time we spend. We focus on results that matter to you.

Hourly Pricing Benefits:

1. Flexibility

Hourly pricing allows you to pay for time as it is dedicated to your case, offering flexibility, particularly for more limited-scope matters. If your case falls outside our Pre-Agreed Pricing structure or requires a tailored, step-by-step approach, hourly billing may be the most suitable choice.

2. Align Costs with Time Spent

Time-based billing ensures charges reflect the time dedicated to your case, providing a direct link between the services provided and the associated costs.

3. Adaptable to Case Changes

If the nature of your case changes or becomes more complex, hourly pricing can accommodate the evolving needs without the need to renegotiate an agreed price.

4. Clarity and Control in Billing

Hourly pricing provides a structured way to track the time dedicated to your case. With regular updates on progress before you receive a bill, you stay informed and can make specific decisions about future steps and the costs involved.

5. Option for Clients Who Prefer to Pay as They Go

Some clients prefer to pay as the case progresses, and hourly pricing provides a way to do so, aligning costs with the time dedicated at each stage.

Q&A

Questions we often get about Separation and Divorce

Do I need an attorney for my case?

There is no law or requirement that you hire an attorney for a divorce. However, it is rare that a separating couple successfully attempts this complex legal, financial, and emotional journey without an attorney, mediator, or other specialists. If you choose not to hire an attorney, keep in mind there are a significant number of considerations and legal documents that you will be left to manage on your own.

Do you need an attorney — or would a “mediator” do just fine?

If you and your spouse want to work together with a neutral third party to agree to a civil and structured split, consider using a mediator. A mediator is a neutral party who meets with both spouses, keeping your case out of court to develop a settlement agreement and end your marriage. However, you may still want to hire an attorney who can consult with you about the mediation process between meetings with the mediator or even attend the mediation sessions with you. Evolution can serve as a mediator, but in doing so, we cannot also be your attorney. If you attend mediation and a proposed agreement is provided to you for your signature, you should get any such agreement reviewed by an attorney prior to signing, as signing it will affect your legal rights. After the mediation, a mediator would not be able to file a divorce case in court or draft court orders necessary to divide retirement accounts. You will need to consult an attorney for those additional services.

What’s the difference between a separation agreement & a divorce?

The separation agreement outlines the division of your property, assets, and if you have young kids, how they will be cared for. It’s the map for how your lives will look going forward. This is a private, but enforceable, written contract signed by both spouses similar to other contracts you may enter. A divorce is the legal step resulting in the Final Decree of divorce, which is a court order signed by a judge, dissolving your marriage. In most cases, you need to separate before a divorce is possible.

What about my retirement and division of assets?

Houses, bank accounts…we will talk through strategies to sort out those kinds of assets, which is part of the process. For retirement accounts, which may be under your name or that of your spouse, a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) is a legal document recognizing that you, your spouse or former spouse, child, or other dependent is entitled to receive a portion of the account owner's retirement plan assets. Some Pre-Agreed Pricing packages include QDROs, or you can add them individually as a service-level enhancement.

What is a collaborative divorce?

A Collaborative divorce is a way to end your marriage through cooperation and negotiation, where both parties and their lawyers agree not to go to court and instead work together to reach a mutually beneficial separation. The goal is to proceed respectfully and productively. It often involves coaches, financial advisors, and attorneys working together as a team in support of both parties and their children. This approach can prevent going back to court to address additional concerns later in life.

Can things like custody or support change in the future?

The parties can always change things in the future by mutual agreement. For some things like a minor child’s custody, visitation, and child support, a Judge can make changes even if the parties can’t agree. This would first require a showing of a “material change in circumstances” since the last Court Order was signed by a Judge. If a material change exists, then a Judge can make a change over the objection of one of the parties. Spousal support can also be changed in similar fashion, depending on whether the original spousal support was court-ordered or arrived at by the parties by agreement and the terms of that agreement.

Still have questions?

Schedule a consultation to get your specific questions answered.

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