A child support lawyer costs $1,500 to $15,000 per case in 2026
A child support lawyer costs $1,500 to $15,000 per case in 2026. ThePricer lists a simple agreed case at $1,500 to $5,000, a limited dispute at $2,500 to $7,500, and a contested case at $5,000 to $15,000 or more. It puts the family law hourly average near $344. LeanLaw lists $255 to $310 an hour. Retainers start near $1,500 to $2,000.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| ThePricer | ThePricer lists family law at $250 to $450 an hour with a $344 national average, retainers at $2,000 to $5,000, simple agreed support at $1,500 to $5,000, modification at $2,500 to $7,500 and contested cases at $5,000 to $15,000 or more. |
| The Law Office of Bryan Fagan | A Texas law firm says child support lawyer rates typically range from $100 to $500 per hour, with New York averaging $358, and retainers for family lawyers can start at around $1,500. |
| LeanLaw | LeanLaw says lawyers generally charge $100 to $500 per hour, with an average minimum of $255 and maximum of $310 for family law, and child custody cases at $225 to $325 an hour. |
Child support lawyer price by case and rate
| Case or rate | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Simple agreed support | $1,500 to $5,000 | ThePricer |
| Modification with limited dispute | $2,500 to $7,500 | ThePricer |
| Contested support case | $5,000 to $15,000 or more | ThePricer |
| Family law hourly, national average | $344 an hour | ThePricer |
| Typical retainer | $2,000 to $5,000 | ThePricer |
| Texas lawyer hourly range | $100 to $500 an hour | The Law Office of Bryan Fagan |
| Family law average minimum to maximum | $255 to $310 an hour | LeanLaw |
| Child custody hourly | $225 to $325 an hour | LeanLaw |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Case type | ThePricer lists a simple agreed case at $1,500 to $5,000 and a contested case at $5,000 to $15,000 or more. A fight costs more. |
| Hourly rate | ThePricer lists $250 to $450 an hour with a $344 average. LeanLaw lists a $255 minimum and $310 maximum average for family law. |
| Where you live | ThePricer lists California at $410 an hour, Texas at $375, and Alabama at $287. Big cities cost more. |
| Retainer | ThePricer lists a typical retainer at $2,000 to $5,000. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan says retainers can start near $1,500. |
| Court and experts | ThePricer lists California filing fees at $435 to $450. A forensic accountant can bill $300 an hour on top of the lawyer. |
What the price includes
A lawyer's fee covers their time on your case. That includes advice, forms, talks with the other side, and court visits. A retainer is paid first, and the lawyer bills time against it. Court filing fees, experts, and process servers are often extra. ThePricer shows a $3,150 fee for a nine hour case at $350 an hour. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Family law attorneys bill in two common ways. Most charge by the hour, and many ask for a retainer first. The lawyer then bills time against that money and may ask you to add more. Some offer a flat fee for a simple job, such as an agreed order. Costs like filing fees and experts are usually billed apart. Ask how time is counted and how often you will get a bill. Ask for an estimate of the total cost from start to finish.
When you need this
You may need a child support lawyer to set up a first order, change an order after a job or income change, or enforce an order that is not paid. You may also need one if the other parent fights the case or hides income. If you both agree, a lawyer can still help you write the order the right way.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the hourly rate or flat fee in writing.
- Ask how big the retainer is and what happens to unused money.
- Ask what filing fees, experts, and other costs are extra.
- Ask how often you will get a bill and how time is counted.
- Compare the total with the range above: $1,500 to $15,000 per case for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Settle what you can first. ThePricer lists a simple agreed case at $1,500 to $5,000 against $5,000 to $15,000 or more if contested.
- Ask for a flat fee for a clear job. Fixed prices can help you plan, so ask what the flat fee covers.
- Bring neat records of income, pay stubs, and your current order. Less time sorting papers means fewer billed hours.
- Compare at least three lawyers. ThePricer lists $250 to $450 an hour, so rates differ a lot.
- Ask what you can do yourself. Your state child support office may help with an order, so ask what it costs.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from ThePricer, The Law Office of Bryan Fagan and LeanLaw. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a child support lawyer cost?
It runs $1,500 to $15,000 per case in 2026. ThePricer lists a simple agreed case at $1,500 to $5,000 and a contested case at $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
What do child support lawyers charge per hour?
ThePricer lists $250 to $450 an hour with a $344 average. LeanLaw lists a family law average of $255 to $310. A Texas firm says $100 to $500.
How much is a retainer?
ThePricer lists a typical retainer at $2,000 to $5,000. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan says family lawyer retainers can start near $1,500.
What does a modification cost?
ThePricer lists a modification with a limited dispute at $2,500 to $7,500. Its example shows nine hours at $350 an hour, or about $3,150.
Are court fees included?
Often not. ThePricer lists California court filing fees at $435 to $450. Ask the lawyer what costs are billed on top of the fee.