HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO HIRE A LAWYER?
THE COST OF HIRING A LAWYER DEPENDS ON YOUR CASE, AND WHAT ARRANGEMENTS YOU MAKE WITH YOUR LAWYER.
Most people feel uneasy when it comes to lawyers’ fees. Legal counsel carries a price tag, but an experienced lawyer’s assistance can potentially be invaluable to a case. Here are a few helpful guidelines on how lawyers’ fees generally work.
Injury or Accident Cases: Personal injury cases are charged on “contingency,” meaning the lawyer agrees to a certain percentage of the settlement and the remainder goes to the client. If the client does not win the case, there are no lawyer’s fees. However, you may still be responsible for reasonable expense incurred.
Non-Injury Civil Cases and Criminal Cases: Non-injury civil cases and criminal cased are billed on an hourly basis. Factors such as the lawyer’s experience and type of case can affect hourly pricing. Also, you may be expected to pay an initial retainer when the lawyer agrees to take the case. By accepting the retainer, the lawyer agrees to work on your case and will decline any cases that present a conflict of interest with your case.
Bottom line, the best way to choose a lawyer is to meet them, discuss your case, ask questions, and have your concerns addressed directly.