A visit to an attorney’s office can be an intimidating thing. The law is unfortunately rarely simple or easy to understand, and the high-powered attorneys on TV that specialize in law are often fairly intimidating. At the Barnett Law Firm, while our attorneys are legal experts, we go out of our way to explain your case in plain English, and to make you feel comfortable.
At the same time, we are mindful of the value of both your time and our time. We work hard to build and maintain healthy client relationships, and at the same time minimize the time required for our meetings to keep your costs reasonable.
How Much Will a Lawyer Cost?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every case is different and will require different resources. There are different types of fee arrangements including hourly rates, flat fees, retainers, and contingent fees. When we first meet with you, we will discuss the most appropriate arrangement for your case. Some guidelines to keep in mind:
Hourly Rates – the hourly rates we charge are based on our attorneys’ experience and expertise level. Keep in mind when you compare attorneys, cheaper is not always better: A more experienced, and thus expensive, lawyer may be able to resolve complex matters more quickly. We will discuss our rates with you up front and ensure you understand the basis for those rates.
Flat Fees – some cases are better suited to a flat fee. Such cases include basic wills, uncontested divorces, and simply bankruptcy filings.
Retainer Fees – a retainer fee is typically an advance payment on the hourly rate for a specific case. When you give us a retainer, your money goes into a special trust account that we use toward your case as costs accrue.
Contingent Fees – in certain types of rare cases we may agree to take on your case with no payments up front but an agreement that the firm will receive a percentage of your settlement or judgment.
Our commitment to you is that we will explain our fees and costs up front and have experience in designing the best fee arrangement to suit your particular situation.
What Do I Need to Bring?
In order for us to best evaluate your case and serve your needs—and to do so efficiently—we need to know the whole story, preferably in an organized manner. You can help us by bringing relevant records to your first meeting, particularly if they are organized. Relevant records include any legal documents that may be at issue, paperwork that you plan to discuss, and similar items. Consider bringing with you a simple or even chronological outline of the issues in your case.
