If you have decided to hire legal services to help with an issue related to family law, you may be wondering how much hiring a Centennial family lawyer will cost. There are some factors that impact the cost including the kind of problem you have and the complexity involved in resolving that problem. Also, it depends on the fee agreement between you and the attorney.
If you are considering hiring a family attorney, your fee agreement must set out the kinds of services the attorney will do for you, the kind of legal fees that will be charged, and the amount you must pay. Also, the agreements must identify how other legal costs will be handled and explain the billing practices of the attorney.
Kinds of Free Arrangements
Typically, lawyers set fixed fees, hourly rates for work of uncertain duration, and contingency fees. Because nobody can foresee when a housing case will end, fixed fees are not common in litigation cases. Meanwhile, contingency fee arrangements in the dissolution of marriage cases are not legal in most states. The reason is that it can create a lot of conflicts of interest at the expense of broken marriage. Thus, most lawyers charge a negotiable hourly for this case.
Retainer Fees
A lot of attorneys want an advance retainer or deposit against a client’s fees and costs. You must get full credit for this retainer against your legal expenses. Consider negotiating for a refund of all unearned portions of the retainer when the representation of your attorney ends.
Agreements on Legal Representation
Often, you and your attorney will sign an agreement that stipulates the fee and representation requirements. This agreement will control how you both work together in handling your case. It will help avoid misunderstandings and guarantee effective communication about mutual expectations.
Billing Statements
As a client, you have the right to know about the work your attorney has completed for you in a detailed way. This makes sure that fees are reasonable and comply with your fee agreement. By requesting a detailed bill, you can correct errors. The statement must have a daily accounting of tasks performed, hours per task, the people who did the work, and the hourly rate for each.
Fees Payment
Most attorneys have a system for collecting fees. They may send out a second statement after thirty days. You will get another letter after 45 days and a personal phone call after 60 days. Your attorney will appreciate you as a client and work harder for you if you pay your bill promptly within 30 days.
