Just when you thought celebrity excess could go no further, the custody battle between Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieve reminds us that when it comes to celebrities, there really are no limits.

To some, Mel Gibson may not seem like the most sympathetic character.  But, once you see the legal bill his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva’s, attorney has requested that he pay, you might have a change of heart.  According to reports on the celebrity gossip website TMZ, Oskana’s attorney has requested that Mel pay $163,000 for one month’s work.  Yes, that’s right.  No typo.  $163,000 for ONE MONTH.

Reports covering the incident have her attorney billing at the rate of $600 per hour.  If you do the math (there were thirty-one days in the month in question), it means that Oskana’s attorney was billing for 8.7 hours per day, every day, seven days per week, for an entire month.  Yikes!  And you thought your attorney was expensive.

Oksana has now ditched that lawyer – TMZ listed him as lawyer Number 41 – and apparently hired a new lawyer – TMZ lists this one as Number 42.  Rest assured that no one at Gadtke & Beyer will be lawyer Number 43.  Do I even need to say the words “Flat Fee Divorce?”  Probably not.

by Robert W. Gadtke

Robert W. Gadtke is a Minneapolis divorce attorney with the law firm of Gadtke & Beyer.  His practice focuses on helping clients protect their children in custody cases and getting a fair financial settlement.  His eBook, 10 Top Divorce Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, can be found on his website.  He also maintains a blog devoted to divorce, child custody, and family law issues.