Your Family's Future
is our First Priority -
Not Just a Tag Line

At Elise Buie Family Law Group, we vow to represent you so we do your family no harm.  We want to ensure that your family's future is bright and hopeful. It is our heartfelt commitment to you.

Divorce is extremely stressful.  I understand divorce both personally and professionally and also know how lost and overwhelmed you can feel during this process.  I also understand how important it is that you “click” with your attorney.  I am approachable, authentic and responsive.  I am also extremely forthright. I will tell you the truth in terms you can understand. I will not “sugar coat” your situation to make you feel better but give you the truth you need.

At Elise Buie Family Law Group, we are committed to developing strong, supportive relationships with our clients. We pride ourselves in helping you through the emotionally charged divorce process.

We encourage you to look around our website and review our services and philosophy. Determine if the lawyer/client chemistry is there.  Please contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to teaming up with you and becoming part of your support network during this difficult time.  We want to help you learn how to love yourself, successfully co-parent your children and "rock it" financially post-divorce.  You can do this and your future is bright!

Mediation

I always recommend that clients attempt to settle their family differences amicably. Mediation works well for many families. If you choose, we will help you move through your divorce mediation with as little drama to yourself, your spouse, and your children as possible. We can discuss different models and which will work best for you and your family.

Collaborative Law

Another option outside of court involvement is collaborative law, a dispute resolution process in which divorcing spouses sign a commitment to avoid litigation. With our support and that of others, such as a child specialist and a neutral financial expert, divorcing spouses work together to reach well thought out plans for their family's future. The collaborative law model can be extremely effective and even rewarding, but it is not for everyone.

Trial

As a trial lawyer, I practiced insurance litigation for five years before transitioning to family law. I enjoy working with families much more than insurance adjustors. With years of experience behind me, I will take your case all the way to trial if necessary. I have success navigating the litigation process, even against the most difficult opposing counsel. If that is the direction you desire, I will do the same for you.  However, trials are very rare in family law, as most people find that they would rather decide the outcome of their families rather than turn it over to a Judge.

How We Charge

We have a range of pricing models that we will tailor to meet your family's budget.  Staying in your budget is important to us.  We do our best to use resources in a cost-effective way. Paralegals and our Associates gather preliminary information and draft initial documents, all under Elise's supervision.

Advance Fee Deposits
(Evergreen Trust Account) Coupled with Hourly Fees 

We are happy to include litigation fees in the advance fee deposit amount.  The advance fee deposit is reviewed regularly to ensure that it is at a fair level in relation to the volume of work.

Flat Fee Legal Work

Price certainty for you. In some uncontested, distinct matters, we charge a one-time fee. In complex, lengthy cases, we will charge an up-front fixed fee for a set period of representation. For example, you will pay us the fixed fee for every 6-months of representation.  If your case is concluded within that time, you won't pay us again.  If your case is not over, you pay us another up-front, fixed fee for another 6-months of representation.  The fee is determined by evaluating the complexity of your family law matter.  We consider factors such as number of real property owned, whether children are an issue, whether spousal maintenance is an issue and others.

Monthly Consult Fee

We'll work with you consistently on any aspect of family law. You can call us anytime during business hours to discuss how to prepare paperwork, what documents to file, or how to prepare your case for mediation. Or you may be implementing a new Parenting Plan and want someone to talk to about how the arrangement is working. We'll offer solutions for troubleshooting difficulties as they arise. We help teach you how to communicate in a constructive, respectful way to help you avoid future litigation.

Please feel free to contact me at Elise Buie Family Law Group at (206) 926-9848 to schedule a consultation.