We believe clients should have a clear understanding of likely legal costs before work begins.

We aim to price our work consistently and transparently. Our fees reflect the work required and the complexity of the matter.

Where possible, we also offer fixed fees or fixed-fee stages, so that you know in advance what a particular piece of work is likely to cost. Payment plans may also be available by agreement.

Fixed-fee stages for complex matters

For complex matters, we often divide the work into stages and agree the cost of each stage in advance.

For example, we may agree a fixed fee for:

• reviewing documents and advising you on your position;

• preparing and sending an initial letter or proposal;

• conducting a defined stage of negotiations;

• preparing or responding to court documents;

• preparing for and attending mediation; or

• documenting an agreed settlement.

For example, we might agree a fixed fee of S$10,000 to review the relevant documents, advise you on your position, prepare an initial settlement proposal and conduct the first stage of negotiations.

At the end of each stage, we can discuss the next step and the likely costs before further work is undertaken.

Fixed-fee examples

For more predictable matters, we may be able to offer a fixed fee. For example:

Basic Singapore Will

S$400

This includes:

• collecting the information needed to prepare your Will, either through our written forms or a Zoom consultation;

• preparing a draft Will;

• reasonable revisions to the draft; and

• guidance and supervision of the Will-signing process online.

Fully Uncontested Divorce

S$4,500

This includes guiding you through the divorce process and preparing and filing the required documents with the court.

A divorce is ‘fully uncontested’ where both parties agree on the divorce itself and on all ancillary matters, including property, finances, maintenance and arrangements for any children. The fee does not include any work or advice required before the parties reach an agreement.

This fee covers Alcove Law acting for one spouse only. That spouse will be our client and must be able to provide the information and documents we require to complete the process.

The other spouse must be willing to cooperate with the uncontested process, including providing any necessary information and signing any documents required from them. Where necessary, documents may also need to be witnessed or notarised.

The other spouse is not represented by Alcove Law, and we cannot advise both parties. We encourage unrepresented parties to seek independant advice from another law firm before agreeing to any settlement however they may choose to remain unrepresented. Any fees charged by another law firm would be separate from our S$4,500 fee.

If the parties are unable to agree on any part of the divorce or the ancillary matters, the matter would no longer fall within this fully uncontested fixed-fee arrangement.

Keeping costs manageable

We will discuss whether hourly billing, a fixed fee or staged fixed fees are most appropriate for your matter.

We can also give you the option to carry out appropriate parts of the process yourself. For example, completing information forms independently or providing documents to us in a clear and organised way can reduce the time we need to spend on your matter and therefore reduce your legal fees. If you would prefer more assistance, we are equally happy to provide it.

Where there is a choice, we will explain the options and how each is likely to affect the cost before you decide how you would like to proceed

We are also happy to discuss costs before you decide whether to proceed, and there is no obligation to proceed with further work simply because we have provided a fee estimate.

Exclusions

Unless otherwise stated, our fees do not include expenses and taxes e.g. GST, court filing fees, disbursements and fees charged by third parties.