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 mother in seeking child support arrearages if: (1) the children have or will soon reach the age of maturity; (2) the lawyer determines that the contingent fee agreement would not undermine the noncustodial parent's relationship with the child; (3) the prospective client is indigent and no other fee arrangement is practical; and (4) the fee agreement is fair. The Bar determined that in the facts of this hypothetical such a contingent fee agreement was appropriate. [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