LEGAL FEES: STRUCTURE AND EXPLANATION
NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA LAW PAGE
 Site debut: 11/14/97

How do I pay legal fees?

Large law firms may have installment payment plans. Most small firms and sole practitioners do not.

Why do legal fees always seem to be so high?

This is a question which is always asked. Legal fees are the source of income for the attorney, and as such, represent a portion of her (or his) earnings for a year. Fees are based on a combination of things, such as complexity of the case and the estimated amount of time required by the attorney to research and present the case in the proper forum.

What can I expect?

Some attorneys will require a retainer fee, against which they bill at a hourly rate; ordinarily, charges accrued beyond the initial retainer amount will be billed to the client. Others will quote a flat fee for representation, which is the total cost involved. If charges for telephone calls, photocopies and other expenses are required, this should be spelled out at the beginning of the representation. If charges for individual court appearances are additional, this should be clear at the beginning. In a criminal matter, if there is a different fee for a jury trial, this should be disclosed at the initial discussion.

How do I choose an attorney?

Legal fees may vary widely from one attorney to another; use your own good judgment about what you can afford and what you are willing to pay after you meet personally with the attorney. Someone else's assessment of an attorney's abilities are not yours. If the matter is important enough for you to seek legal counsel, it is important enough for you to carefully evaluate whom you are hiring and their appropriateness as an attorney in the matter with which you are concerned.

You should have a written contract with your attorney which clearly defines your responsibility and the attorney’s in each representation. If services for an appeal or retrial or a show cause hearing may be an issue, discuss this matter with the attorney at the beginning of a representation.

Attorneys have completed rigorous requirements in order to represent clients; you have a right to know what jurisdictions have admitted your attorney to practice law. You have a right to know what education and training your attorney has received. You should ask what the caseload breakdown is for any attorney you intend to hire.

For more information...

* BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: S.G.RAGER.

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