Frequently Asked Questions

As of March 2024, our office is currently working remotely, and any and all initial consultations or meetings will occur virtually unless otherwise arranged. Our office is by appointment only. We do not accept walk-ins. 

However, we can accommodate document drop-offs, which must be arranged ahead of time by emailing info@allforthefamilylegalclinic.org. 

No, we do not accept walk-ins our office is by appointment only. For any questions please call us at 510-999-7732  or for a faster response please email us at info@allforthefamilylegalclinic.org. 

No, our phone goes to an automated voicemail, and we will return the call in up to 7 business days. The fastest way to reach us is by emailing us at info@allforthefamilylegalclinic.org 

Once you apply and we determine that you qualify for our legal clinic,  you will be emailed the consultation letter from our system, MyCase, which will include a scheduling link. 

Consultations are being booked anywhere between 2-4 weeks in advance. 

Generally, you will only need to fill out one application. If your divorce is final and you need assistance with custody and child support you should fill out the custody application. 

If you are also interested in getting estate planning services in conjunction with other services (such as divorce) then you will need to fill out the divorce application and the estate planning application. 

This is where you get up to an hour with an attorney. We do not prepare any paperwork during the initial consultation, and we also do not review any complex documents before the initial consultation. You are charged your quoted hourly rate for any additional time, work performed, etc. 

All initial consultations are over the phone. The attorney will be calling you. Please ensure that your phone can accept calls from blocked numbers. We call from blocked numbers for our safety. 

Yes, you may submit paperwork before the initial consultation. Please send the documents to info@allforthefamilylegalclinic.org. Please send the documents in a Word document or PDF format ONLY. 

The initial consultation is a $60 flat-rate fee. You are charged your quoted hourly rate for subsequent consultations. Please note that subsequent consultations are given at our discretion, and too many will result in a request for a deposit.  If your hourly rate is above $60, you will be charged your hourly rate for another consultation. If your hourly rate is at or below $60, you will be charged $60 for another consultation.  

You will need to pay by credit card or debit card via a link that will be sent to you from our online payment system MyCase through a system called LawPay. The link will be sent at least a week prior to your consultation. You may also pay with cash or check by mailing it or by dropping it off, but it must be received 2 days before your consultation date. If you have not received the payment link please reach out to assistant@allforthefamilylegalclinic.org and pross@allforthefamilylegalclinic.org.

Please check the email that you used to schedule the consultation with as the payment link will be sent to that email address. 

Please also check your spam, junk and trash folders for our emails as they may have ended up there. 

If you would like to cancel or reschedule, we require at least 48-hour notice before your scheduled consultation. Please reschedule or cancel as soon as you can as it allows others who are waiting to be scheduled. If you have a last-minute cancelation due to an emergency situation, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule. If you cancel and later reschedule, you will be charged for a second consultation at your quoted hourly rate.

Your quoted hourly ranges between $50-$150 an hour, and it is determined by the managing attorney based on the information provided in the application. This number sounds expensive, but traditional law firms charge $350+/hr, so it is still significant savings, especially over the course of your case.

Your hourly rate is subject to change. 

No, we do not guarantee that we will take your case. We do not represent you until we have executed a contract and received a deposit paid in full.

If we are able to take your case you will be receiving an email typically within 3 business days from assistant@allforthefamilylegalclinic.org on how to sign the contract and pay the deposit. 

You will be sent another link from our online payment system LawPay, or you may pay by cash or check by mail or by dropping it off.  If we are able to take your case, contracts and deposits must be paid within 5 business days, unless otherwise arranged. Deposits are required for all services. Deposits are not flat-rate, and you will be charged your quoted hourly rate once the deposit is exhausted. We are continually taking new cases, and our availability is subject to change.

Yes, the deposit must be paid in full and we are not able to take partial payments for deposits. Thank you for understanding. 

Of course! Please give us a call at 510-999-7732 and we will return your call, so that we can send you the application by mail. Since we do not have an office staff it can take 7 business days for us to return your call.  

Yes, please give us your best estimate as to the other party's financial information. 

You are billed at the same rate no matter who in the office whether, an attorney, paralegal, office assistant, etc performs the work. 

No, that will not be an issue, but depending on the facts of your case that may require an additional deposit. 

No, we do not provide translation services. You are responsible for finding your own translator.