Let's Discuss Fees & Costs
...or Dollars and "Sense"
By and large, with a couple of exceptions*, all attorneys charge on an hourly basis.
As our most famous Illinois citizen, good old Abe Lincoln, said
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"A lawyer's time and advice are his stock in trade." |
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However, the amount charged by each attorney can be siginificantly different - even within a single county for the same services.
So why can't an attorney just charge a flat amount for any particular service be it Adoption, Divorce, Will, Real Estate transaction, Purchase or Sale of a Business, Eviciton, Post-Divorce matters, Incorporation, etc.? In 48 years of very active practice, I have never seen two dvorces, business sales, wills, etc. that are the same. Thus, the need for an hourly charge.
Recognizing that all professional hourly fees are considerably more than the charges billed by the trades, I keep very accurate records of my time and provide you a detailed account every month. My time records are kept "down to the minute". Either my bookkeeper or I am always available to respond to questions about your statement if you have a question.
How do you pay? Attorneys customarily request a Retainer when they accept a case. In my case, the retainer is not paid PLUS the hourly, the hourly applies to the retainer. You will always receive a written Retainer Agreement from me. In certain cases, I work out payment plans. Yes, I remember tight income times, especially when I was a member of the United States Air Force.
If you want to "shop around", that's fine! I do the same when I need to make a significant purchase, and I would expect a client to do the same. Come in for a preliminary conference with me. It is most important that you are comfortable with the fees AND me as we are going to be working with your highly personal matters.
* Attorneys handle Personal Injury (car accidents and employment related injuries) and some collection matters on a contingent fees basis, meaning a percentage of whatever they colled. "No collection, no fee." The Federal Baknruptcy Law requires attorneys to quote specific fees which must be approved by the Bankruptcy Judge.