Fait & DiLima in Baltimore: Divorce and Family Law for High-Asset and Complex Cases

Fait & DiLima is a boutique family law firm in Baltimore that handles divorce, custody, support, and property division cases, with particular depth in high-net-worth separations, business valuations, and protracted custody disputes. The firm operates at the upper end of the Baltimore family law market and is best suited to clients facing financially complex or acrimonious proceedings.

What Fait & DiLima Actually Is

Fait & DiLima combines litigation capability with mediation and collaborative divorce options, allowing clients to choose their path rather than defaulting to court. The firm typically represents one spouse or parent and does not broker settlement conferences between both parties. It is substantially larger than solo practices common across Baltimore, meaning the likelihood of continuity with a named attorney is higher, but so is cost.

Services and Fee Structure

The firm structures fees primarily on a retainer basis, with engagement typically starting between $3,500 and $7,500 depending on case complexity and whether litigation or collaborative process is chosen. Hourly rates fall in the $300 to $500 range for senior attorneys, with junior associates billed at lower rates for research and motion drafting. A uncontested divorce with minimal property or no children may be quoted as a flat fee; contested cases are almost always retainer-plus-hourly. Clients should confirm current retainers during a consultation, as these figures shift annually.

The firm does not work on contingency (common in personal injury law but absent in family law across Baltimore) and requires retainers to be depleted before court dates. This means a client whose case settles quickly may have retainer funds remaining, which some firms refund and others do not; verify this policy upfront.

How Fait & DiLima Compares to Other Baltimore Family Law Options

Baltimore has two tiers of family law practice: solo or small-firm attorneys charging $200 to $350 per hour for straightforward divorces, and mid-size and larger firms like Fait & DiLima charging $350 to $500 per hour for complex cases. A solo practitioner or two-person firm may be sufficient for an uncontested divorce with joint custody and child support calculated by guideline; they are typically cheaper and more nimble. Fait & DiLima's strength emerges when a case involves business ownership, high income, custody disputes, or significant assets held in multiple jurisdictions. If your case is uncontested and your marriage is short with no children, a solo practitioner will cost 40 to 60 percent less and likely resolve the matter as quickly. If your spouse is hiding assets, custody is genuinely disputed, or you own a business that must be valued, Fait & DiLima's litigation experience and internal resources reduce the risk of a bad outcome.

Who Fait & DiLima Suits, and Who It Does Not

Fait & DiLima is a fit for clients with annual household income exceeding $200,000, significant property or business interests, or deep disagreement over custody or support. It is also appropriate for parents returning to Baltimore court after a prior out-of-state divorce and needing to modify custody or support in Maryland law. The firm does not suit clients seeking the least expensive divorce, nor does it serve those wanting a strict mediator (the firm advocates for one party rather than facilitating neutrality). If you are uncontested, have modest income, and are willing to use Maryland's online divorce tools or a low-cost legal services clinic, Fait & DiLima will be overpriced.

What the First Visit Involves

An initial consultation is typically offered at no charge and lasts 30 to 45 minutes in person or by phone. The attorney will ask for a chronology of the marriage, custody arrangement if children exist, employment and income facts, and a rough outline of property (real estate, retirement accounts, business). Bring a recent tax return and any separation agreement or communication from your spouse's attorney. The attorney will explain Maryland law on alimony (called "spousal support" in Maryland), child support guidelines, property division rules, and whether your case is likely to settle or require trial. At the close of the consultation, you will receive a retainer agreement and fee schedule; read this carefully and ask why the retainer is set at a given figure before signing.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Fait & DiLima maintains office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with phone access during business hours and email monitored continuously. The firm is located in Baltimore's downtown office corridor; street parking and public lots are available nearby, though metered and limited. Remote consultations and phone conferences are offered and are especially useful if you are meeting for the first time or live outside the city. Court appearances in Baltimore County or City District Court require in-person attendance; Fait & DiLima handles this as part of the engagement.

Fait & DiLima fills a genuine market need in Baltimore: experienced litigation counsel for cases too complex or contentious for flat-fee solo practitioners. The cost is real, but so is the specialized knowledge.