Retaining a Divorce Attorney with LawPay’s Pay Later Financing

July 1, 2025
Louis Sternberg

Retaining a Long Island Divorce Attorney with LawPay’s Pay Later Financing

Litigating a divorce is stressful enough and adding the legal fees can make it more painful, or even worse, essentially deny access to proper counsel.  For these reasons, the Law Office of Louis L. Sternberg PC now offers LawPay’s Pay Later financing, powered by Affirm. It’s a simple, transparent way to spread the cost of legal help over time, without delaying your case or compromising quality representation.

Financial Realities of a New York Divorce

Even in seemingly straightforward cases, expenses can accumulate quickly. The requirement of an upfront retainer fee can be a significant hurdle, especially if you are not the primary earner in your household or if your access to marital funds has been restricted.

Often, one spouse may have controlled the finances throughout the marriage, leaving the other in a strained financial position when it comes to paying for legal help. The fear of not being able to afford a qualified attorney should never be the reason to compromise on your rights. We believe that everyone deserves access to experienced legal guidance during a divorce, regardless of their immediate financial situation.

How LawPay’s PayLater Can Help

This is where LawPay’s PayLater comes in. Pay Later is a legal fee financing option built into LawPay, the trusted payment platform for attorneys, bar associations, and compliance with ABA and New York State Bar rules.

Here’s how it works:

  • We invoice you – whether for an initial retainer or ongoing hourly work, PayLater is available.
  • At payment time, you see a “Pay Later” button alongside credit card or e‑check options.
  • A Simple, Private Application: The application process is handled through a secure online portal. It’s a quick and easy process that you can complete from the comfort of your own home. You’ll be asked to provide some basic information, and you’ll receive a decision in real-time.
  • You Choose the Terms: If approved, you will be presented with several loan options, typically with varying repayment timelines. This allows you to choose a monthly payment that comfortably fits within your budget. The interest rates are clear and upfront, so there are no surprises down the road.  Typically payment plans run from 3 to 24 months.
  • Our Firm Gets Paid, and You Get to Work: Once you accept the loan terms, our firm receives the full payment for your retainer and initial fees directly from LawPay. This means we can get to work on your case immediately, without you having to worry about coming up with a large lump sum.
  • Focus on Your Case, Not on the Bills: With the financial arrangements handled, you can focus on what truly matters: navigating the divorce process and beginning to build your new life. You will make your monthly payments directly to LawPay’s financing partner, freeing you from the stress of managing legal bills on top of everything else.

Of course, the terms and conditions are determined by LawPay and are subject to change.  Our office has no control or even any input in the arrangements.

Why We Believe This is a Game-Changer for Our Clients

For years, the traditional retainer model has been the standard in family law. While it serves a purpose, it doesn’t always account for the unique financial circumstances of each individual. By offering a financing option like PayLater, we are enabling our clients with choice and flexibility.

Divorce litigation is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a journey that requires emotional resilience and strong legal support. The last thing you need is the added anxiety of how you will afford to protect your interests. This financing option allows you to secure the representation you need, without draining your savings or incurring high-interest credit card debt.

Ethical and Compliant Divorce Funding

Yes, it’s fully ABA-approved. The American Bar Association’s Formal Opinion 484 confirms fee financing is ethical so long as full transparency is maintained.

LawPay is specifically built for lawyers, compliant with ABA and IOLTA regulations, ensuring no commingling, correct account separation, and secure, PCI-level data protection.

Common Questions about Divorce Litigation Funding

  • Will it hurt my credit? No – “soft checks” only. Some loans might be reported but on-time payments can even build credit.
  • Can I pay off early? Absolutely.  There is no penalty for doing so.
  • What if payments fail? Affirm handles collections. We are not affected.
  • Loan range? Between $150 and $25,000 per transaction.
  • Is there a fee? Yes.  LawPay charges a processing fee (around 4.95 %), which we absorb.

How to Start Funding Your Divorce Litigation in Suffolk County

  1. Mention Pay Later during your consultation or intake.
  2. Look for the button in your invoice after we’ve prepared paperwork.
  3. Apply, choose a plan and you’ll get immediate feedback.
  4. We handle everything else. You focus on your case while Affirm and LawPay take care of the billing side.

We understand that discussing finances can be uncomfortable, especially during such a sensitive time. Our team is here to provide you with a confidential and compassionate consultation. We can walk you through the details of LawPay’s PayLater and help you determine if it’s the right choice for your situation.

Our primary goal is to provide the residents of Long Island with exceptional legal representation in their divorce proceedings. By embracing innovative solutions like legal financing, we can make our services more accessible and help alleviate some of the financial pressure that so often accompanies this life transition. You don’t have to face this alone. Let us help you move forward with confidence and security.

Contact us today to see to schedule your free consultation and see if Pay Later is right for you.  Begin your divorce process with peace of mind, transparent billing, and full legal support right when you need it.