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 on a contingent basis a representation of a divorced husband in a matter relating to an asset that was not contemplated in the separation agreement because the husband could not afford to pay an hourly rate and no "human relationships" would be adversely effected (the parties were divorced and there were no children). [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