You’ve just been hit with a legal case that you weren’t expecting, so you know you need to hire a lawyer to help.
If you’re not sure how much a lawyer costs, however, it can be impossible to figure out if you’re able to afford the services.
Are you interested in hiring a lawyer?
To learn more about legal consultations and the associated cost of hiring a lawyer, keep reading below.
How Much Do Legal Consultations Cost?
There are lawyers that offer free consultations, but not all of them offer this service for free. In some cases, you will have to pay to talk to the lawyer about your case before they will take it on or not.
Lawyers may charge a fee for this service to show you that they are taking the meeting seriously or to make sure that they have enough time to meet with you and thoroughly discuss the situation.
You may spend as much as $400, or more, on a legal consultation. It’s a good idea to discuss this fee with the lawyer before you schedule an appointment. This way, you are comfortable with the cost.
If you’re ready to set a consultation, you should do it sooner rather than later.
How Much Do Lawyers Cost?
You likely know that some lawyers can be very expensive, but the good news is that lawyers can set their own rates. This means that although some lawyers may be too costly for you, there will likely be other options out there that are more within your budget.
It’s impossible to say how much lawyers cost because they all have their own specifications.
However, you can certainly talk to your lawyer about their payment options and what they charge beforehand.
The attorneys that you consider are likely to use one of these types of payment options:
- Flat fees
- Hourly rates
- Retainer fees
- Contingency payments
Flat Fees
A flat fee is when the price of the services doesn’t change, regardless of how long the case takes or how much work the lawyer has to put into it.
This is a popular option for lawyers that are dealing with uncomplicated cases, like creating a will.
Hourly Rates
Hourly rates are set rates that are paid for every hour the lawyer spends working on your case.
These are more straightforward but can vary greatly in amount based on the lawyer’s expertise, location, and experience.
Retainer Fees
Retainer fees are basically a deposit that you put down, similar to a down payment. The lawyer will subtract the fees and costs of their services from this amount.
You can ask the attorney upfront if any unused funds will be returned to you, or what happens to that additional money.
Contingency Payments
With contingency payments, the lawyer signs an agreement with you that you won’t be charged unless you get money through a settlement. This is common with personal injury cases.
The contract is going to specify how much money the lawyer will get if you win. It’s important to note that you may still have to pay some of the costs if you do lose the case.
When Do You Pay a Lawyer?
When you pay a lawyer is going to depend on the type of payment plan you have set up.
If you’re paying retainer fees, you will pay that at the beginning. If you’re paying hourly rates, you will pay that as you go.
Talk to your lawyer about the payment schedule to get a better understanding.
Know How to Get Legal Help
Now that you know more about setting up legal consultations and how much you may expect to pay, it’s time to get started.
Get the legal help you’re searching for now. Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out some of the other articles on our website today.
