These summaries were prepared by McGuireWoods LLP lawyer Thomas E. Spahn. They are based on the letter opinions issued by the Virginia State Bar. Any editorial comments reflect Mr. Spahn's current personal views, and not the opinions of the Virginia State Bar, McGuireWoods or its clients. 
 
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52-Fees in Family Law Cases

73-Family Law Lawyers

A lawyer may represent a divorced wife on a contingent basis in seeking reclassification of marital assets, because the parties are already divorced (and thus the representation would not adversely affect any "human relationships") and the wife cannot afford to pay a regular hourly rate. [Rule 1.5(d)(1) and Comment [3a] codify the circumstances in which lawyers may handle family law matters on a contingent fee basis.]

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn