Legal Involvement

$300/ hour Attorney calls, reports, testimony, preparation, deposition and court appearances

$1500 retainer if required to testify in Dallas county

$1800 retainer outside Dallas county

 We respectfully decline to participate in any legal proceedings that may arise during your therapy with us. We strongly believe that involving ourselves in the legal process, such as dealing with subpoenas or lawyers, or disclosing your confidential information in court, can taint the therapeutic relationship that we have established with you. It is our firm belief that court involvement has no place in our relationship and we aim to avoid any negative and potentially harmful feelings that may arise from such proceedings. Therefore, we kindly request that if you become involved in any legal dispute, including but not limited to divorce, custody dispute or personal injury lawsuit, you and your representatives will not subpoena records from our office, nor subpoena us to testify in court, deposition, or any legal proceedings. By signing below, you acknowledge your understanding of our litigation policy and agree to abide by it. I will comply with lawfully issued subpoenas. My hourly charge for any time related to court cases or litigation is $300. You also agree by your signature below to make the required payment for the time I must spend dealing with your litigation. If I am subpoenaed to provide records or testimony in violation of this agreement and against my stated wishes, you also agree to pay for all my professional time, including but not limited to preparation, record review, transportation charges (door-todoor), waiting time, and time spent testifying in court or deposition regardless of which party issued the subpoena or requires me to testify. If I am required to testify in court or give a deposition in Dallas County, I will require a retainer in the amount of $1,500 (5 hours at $300 per hour), which will include preparation time, travel time (door-to-door), and attendance at any legal proceeding. If I am required to testify in court or give a deposition outside Dallas County, will require a retainer in the amount of $1,800 (6 hours at $300 per hour), which will include preparation time, travel time (door-to-door),and attendance at any legal proceeding. By your signature below, you agree to pay the applicable retainer no later than 48 hours prior to the litigation event. If the testimony or deposition exceeds 5 hours in Dallas County or 6 hours outside Dallas County, your credit card on file will be charged $300 per hour for every hour spent at any legal proceeding, including court or deposition. By your signature below, you agree that I will issue an itemized statement showing the breakdown of time and you further agree that the amount of the invoice will be charged to the credit card on file. When I go to court or give a deposition, I have to clear my schedule and not see other clients so there is a 48-hour cancellation policy for court and depositions. For example, if the court appearance or deposition is scheduled for a Monday, my office must be notified of any cancellation by Noon on the Thursday before. Any cancellations that occur within that 48-hour time frame are NON-REFUNDABLE. I will accept credit card, money order or cashier’s check for payment of fees related to court appearances or deposition. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THESE SERVICES. All payments are due 48 hours prior to the scheduled court appearance or deposition. By your signature below, you expressly authorize me to charge the credit card on file for any fees related to litigation and court appearances unless you notify me that you intend to make payment by cash, money order or cashier’s check. Finally, if I am subpoenaed to provide records or testimony in violation of this agreement and against my stated wishes, I reserve the right to terminate our professional, therapeutic relationship immediately and refer you to other mental health providers. I will NOT perform child custody evaluations. I will NOT provide recommendations regarding possession, custody, access to or visitation with minor children. I will NOT provide legal advice. I will NOT provide medication or medical advice. These services are not within the scope of my practice.