Flat Fee Services
Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor is proud to offer Flat Fee legal services, providing clarity and predictability for your legal costs. Our Flat Fee pricing ranges from $500 to $3,000 and covers a limited scope of legal services designed to meet specific needs. Only 12 select services qualify under this pricing structure. Should your legal needs extend beyond the services included, additional representation and fees will apply. This transparent approach allows you to plan with confidence while receiving quality legal support tailored to your situation.
Our Flat Fee Services
Divorce Petition
Divorce Petition
We prepare and file your Divorce Complaint or Response with Counterclaim, serve the other party, and submit your Financial Affidavit. This service excludes court representation, evidence handling, and child support worksheets.
Establishing Parental Rights
Establishing Parental Rights
We prepare and file Paternity, Legitimation, or Response documents, serve or notify the other party, and submit your Financial Affidavit. This service excludes court representation, evidence handling, and child support worksheets.
Child & Spousal Support
Child & Spousal Support
We draft and file an order for child support or alimony to be deducted from the paying party’s paycheck and ensure it’s delivered to their employer for enforcement.
Child Custody & Visitation
Child Custody & Visitation
We prepare your Parenting Plan, Child Support Addendum, and Worksheets—either as a proposal or based on agreement—and file them if a case is active, or provide them for future use if not.
Petition
Petition
We draft and file your Petition, Motion, or Response and include court fees and one delivery attempt—if the other party’s U.S. address is known. Ongoing representation ends after the first hearing unless extended by addendum.
Non-Parent & Grandparent Rights
Non-Parent & Grandparent Rights
We draft and file a Petition or Response regarding grandparent visitation, including one attempt at service and court fees. Ongoing representation beyond filing requires an addendum. This service does not involve custody or guarantee visitation rights.
Separation & Settlement Agreement
Separation & Settlement Agreement
We draft or review your separation agreement and handle negotiations with your spouse’s attorney to help reach a fair and final resolution.
Discovery
Discovery
We prepare and serve discovery requests, review responses, and assist if further action is needed. For mediation, we provide preparation, attend a single session, and draft a settlement agreement if an agreement is reached. Continued representation requires an addendum.
Mediation
Mediation
We provide preparation and representation for mediation with children, including a settlement agreement, child support worksheets, and a parenting plan if applicable. Additional fees apply for extended mediation. We also handle depositions, covering up to one day, with additional costs for transcripts.
Hearing & Court Appearance
Hearing & Court Appearance
We attend a brief status conference to update the court on your case and address any specific requests. This can be done via Zoom or in person.
Adoption or Guardianship
Adoption or Guardianship
We assist in petitioning for guardianship or conservatorship, including one court appearance and service of legal documents. If the case becomes contested or goes to trial, additional fees and an addendum for continued representation will apply.
Name Change
Name Change
We draft and file your name change petition, arrange the required publication, and handle court filing fees and one service attempt. Attorney attendance at hearings requires an addendum. Further representation for contested matters also requires an additional fee and signed addendum.
Probate
Probate
We prepare and file documents to petition the court for administering an estate, whether with or without a will, including court representation for the initial appearance. Contested cases or trial representation require additional fees and an addendum. Annual filings are not included.
Estate Planning
Estate Planning
We draft and prepare essential estate planning documents, including a Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Georgia Advance Directive, and Trust, with pricing based on the number of documents you need.
Divorce by Publication
Divorce by Publication
We prepare and file documents for a Divorce by Publication, including the hearing. If the case becomes contested or goes to trial, additional fees and an addendum for continued representation will apply.
Divorce Petition
Response to a Petition for Divorce & Counterclaim
Preparing on your behalf an Answer & Counterclaim, this service includes:
1. Filing the document(s) with the court clerk on your behalf.
2. Sending a Certificate of Service to notify the other party about the filed document(s).
3. In Fulton County, Attendance at 30 status conference
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
1. Representing you in court.
2. Handling requests for or responding to evidence from the other party.
3. Creating Child Support worksheets if children are involved.
4. Attending Mediation
Complaint for Divorce
Preparing a Divorce Complaint for you and any other necessary paperwork to start the case. This includes:
1. Filing the document(s) with the court clerk on your behalf.
2. Delivering the filed document(s) to the other party through the Sheriff’s office or a private process server.
3. In Fulton County, Attendance at 30 status conference
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
1. Representing you in court.
2. Handling requests for or responding to evidence from the other party.
3. Creating Child Support worksheets if children are involved.
4. Preparing mandatory discovery documents in Fulton County
Establishing Parental Rights
Petition to Establish Paternity
Preparing a Petition to Establish Paternity and Support for you, along with any other necessary paperwork to start the case. This includes:
1. Preparation of Petition
2. Filing the document(s) with the court clerk on your behalf.
3. Delivering the filed document(s) to the other party through the Sheriff’s office or a private process server.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
1. Representing you in court.
2. Handling requests for or responding to evidence from the other party.
3. Creating Child Support worksheets.
Petition for Legitimation
Preparing on your behalf a Petition for Legitimation, and all other documents reasonably necessary to initiate the action. We will also prepare the Motion for Custody and Establishment of Child Support for this Action, including:
1. filing such document(s) on your behalf with the Clerk of Court .
2. service of process* by the Sheriff's office or private process server of the filed document(s) on the opposing party.
3. initial filing of the Financial Affidavit.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
1. representation at any court appearances.
2. discovery responses or requests to the opposing party.
3. Child Support worksheets.
Response to Petition for Legitimation
Preparing on your behalf a Response to Petition for Legitimation, and all other documents reasonably necessary to respond to a Petition for Legitimation action.
1. Preparation of Answer & Counterclaim
2. Filing the document(s) with the court clerk on your behalf.
3. Sending a Certificate of Service to notify the other party about the filed document(s)
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
1. Representation at any court appearances.
2. Discovery responses or requests to the opposing party.
3. Child Support worksheets if children are involved.
Child / Spousal Support
Income Deduction Order:
Your attorney will draft a proposed order for child support or alimony to be deducted directly from the paying party's paycheck through their employer. They will file the order with the court for approval and send the finalized order to the employer to put it into effect.
Child Custody/ Visitation
Child Support Worksheets/Parenting Plan/Child Support Addendum Package:
Preparing the necessary Parenting Plan, Child Support Addendum, and Child Support Worksheets for your case. These can either reflect an agreement between the parties or serve as a "proposal" to the Court. Based upon YOUR financial documentation, prepare a child support worksheet and separate child support addendum. If there is an active case, these documents will be filed with the Court. If no case is currently open, the documents will be provided to you but not filed with the Court.
*We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the financial information provided in...*
Petition
Petition or Motion (Other)
We will draft and submit a Petition or Motion for you, along with the necessary forms to support your case. However, unless you request and sign an addendum, we will not continue as your official attorneys after the first hearing. Our service covers court filing fees and one attempt to deliver legal documents (service of process), but only if the other party’s exact U.S. address is known.
Response to Petition or Motion (Other)
We will draft and submit a response/answer to a Petition or Motion on your behalf. Our service includes court filing fees and one attempt to deliver legal documents (service of process), but only if the other party’s exact U.S. address is known.
Non-Parent/ Grandparent Rights
Petition for Grandparent Visitation Rights
We will draft and submit a Petition for Grandparent Visitation Rights on your behalf. This petition allows legal grandparents to seek visitation with the minor children. If a court hearing becomes necessary, an addendum will need to be signed for that additional service. Please note that grandparent rights are not always granted and require specific facts to petition the court properly. This process is for visitation only and does not grant custody of the children. Our service includes court filing fees and one attempt to deliver legal documents (service of process), but only if the other party’s exact U.S. address is known.
Response to Petition for Grandparent Visitation Rights
We will draft and submit a Response to a Petition for Grandparent Visitation Rights on your behalf, including all necessary documents to respond to the court filing. This response addresses the legal grandparents' request for visitation with the child(ren). If a court hearing or other appearance becomes necessary, a signed addendum will be required for the attorney to continue representing you in this matter.
Separation/Settlement Agreement
Negotiations
We will attempt to negotiate a settlement with opposing counsel on your behalf for a period of up to five hours.
Separation Agreement (Final Judgment)
We will draft and/or review a separation agreement for you.
Discovery
Request for Discovery
We will prepare and serve a single set of written discovery requests on the opposing party or their attorney, which may include questions (interrogatories), requests for documents, and requests for admissions, based on the information you provide. We will also review the responses once received and provide you with all discovery materials. If the opposing party fails to respond properly by the deadline, we may recommend filing a Motion to Compel to enforce compliance. However, this service does not cover preparing, filing, or attending hearings for discovery-related motions. Any further legal actions or motions after serving the discovery requests will require a signed addendum for continued representation.
Mediation without Children
We will plan, prepare, and represent you during a single mediation session lasting up to one calendar day. This includes gathering necessary information and providing one hour of preparation time with you before the session. Your attorney will reserve the entire scheduled time exclusively for your mediation, so once it begins, it will be considered completed, even if the full time isn’t used. If mediation results in an agreement, the attorney will draft a Final Mediated Settlement Agreement based on the terms reached, as communicated by you and/or the mediator. To ensure proper preparation, you must provide financial documents in advance, especially if no formal discovery has been conducted.
Mediation
Mediation with Children
We will plan, prepare, and represent you during a single mediation session lasting up to one calendar day. This includes gathering necessary information and providing one hour of preparation with you beforehand. Your attorney will reserve the entire scheduled time exclusively for your mediation, so once it begins, it will be considered complete, even if the full time is not used.
If mediation results in an agreement, the attorney will draft a Final Mediated Settlement Agreement based on the terms reached, as explained by you and/or the mediator. If needed, the attorney will also prepare a Child Support Worksheet, Child Support Addendum, and Parenting Plan as agreed upon. Both parties must complete a court-approved parenting seminar before the case concludes.
If mediation extends beyond one calendar day, an additional fee of $2,500 will apply for each extra day.
Depositions - Per Day Fee
We will take or defend depositions as requested by you or the opposing party. The fee covers depositions lasting up to one calendar day. Additional costs, such as court reporter fees and transcript charges, will be the client’s responsibility once determined by the court reporter.
Hearing/ Court Appearance
Status Conference
The attorney will attend a brief scheduled status conference, either via Zoom or in person, to update the court on the progress of your case and address any special requests specific to your situation if needed.
Adoption or Guardianship
Guardianship/ Conservatorship
We will assist you in seeking appointment as the guardian or conservator for the proposed ward by petitioning the court on your behalf. This service includes attending one court appearance.
If the case becomes contested—such as if someone files an objection, intervenes, or the court finds the appointment is not in the proposed ward's best interest—additional fees will apply, and a signed addendum will be required for continued representation. If the case goes to trial, further representation will also require an additional fee and a signed addendum.
*This does NOT include the cost of filing the petition with the court
Name Change
We will draft and prepare all necessary documents and forms to petition the court for a name change for you or your child, including arranging for the required publication in the local legal organ and attendance at court hearing.
If applicable, the service covers court filing fees and one attempt to serve legal documents (service of process), but only if the other party’s exact U.S. address is known.
Probate
We will draft and prepare all necessary documents to petition the court to administer a deceased person’s estate whether they died with or without a will. This includes:
1. Preparing the necessary probate form.
2. Filing the documentation with the appropriate Probate court.
3. Arranging service to the appropriate parties
4. Representing you in court for initial appearance - If the case becomes contested, additional fees will apply, and a signed addendum will be required for continued representation. If the case goes to trial, further representation will also require an additional fee and a signed addendum.
This DOES NOT include:
1. Preparation of annual filings or returns
Estate Planning
We will draft and prepare estate planning documents generally consisting of a Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Georgia Advance Directive and Trust. The price is based upon how many documents we prepare.
Divorce by Publication
We will draft and prepare all necessary documents for a Divorce by Publication. The fee includes the hearing granting the Divorce by Publication.
If the case becomes contested, for example the opposing party appears or files into the case. additional fees will apply, and a signed addendum will be required for continued representation. If the case goes to trial, further representation will also require an additional fee and a signed addendum.
