Understanding Attorney Fees

If you are in the process of hiring an attorney, you may have found yourself with some questions in regard to attorney fees.  In fact, attorneys to charge fees to their clients in a number of different ways.  By understanding a fee arrangement in advance of retaining a lawyer, you will have a better understanding of the exact nature of the commitment that you are making to obtain legal representation.

Hourly Fees

In many cases, an attorney will charge an hourly fee for his or her services.  The attorney should specifically tell you precisely what he or she will be charging you in the way of an hourly fee.

You need to keep in mind that a lawyer who is charging an hourly fee will charge you for everything that he or she does for you.  In other words, if you make a short phone call to your lawyer, you will be charged.

You also need to keep in mind that many lawyers will round up time spent on your case to the nearest quarter hour.  If you make a phone call to your lawyer that lasts only a couple of minutes, you may be charged for a full quarter hour nonetheless.

Most lawyers are moving to using written contracts for their clients.  Such a contract will spell out all of the details associated with the hourly fee rate and how it will be applied.

Flat Fees

Some lawyers will charge a flat fee for their services.  In such a case you will pay only a one time fee for representation.

Flat fees most often are used in cases involving such things as traffic tickets or DUI cases.  Some lawyers charge flat fees in domestic cases -- divorces, child custody and the like.  Additionally, many bankruptcy cases involve flat fees as well.

Contingency Fees

A contingency fee is one in which a lawyer does not get paid unless you prevail in a particular type of civil case.  In other words, the lawyer being paid a fee is contingent upon the client prevailing in a civil case.  The typical contingency fee charged by a lawyer is in the neighborhood of 33% to 40% of the amount awarded in a case.

Contingency fees are not permissible in criminal or domestic cases.

Get a Written Agreement on Fees

As referenced above, most lawyers in this day and age are using written contracts with their clients.  You are well served to have such an agreement.  By having a written agreement regarding fees, there will be less of chance that there will be confusion or controversy regarding fees on down the road.  Additionally, with a written fee agreement you will know exactly what you will be charged when it comes to your legal representation.