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 handle litigation seeking child support arrearages on a contingent fee basis as long as the non-custodial parent is dead (and thus the case could not affect the human relationship between the children and that parent), the client cannot afford to pay an hourly fee and the fee is fair and reasonable. [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