we're in the process of trying to hire a lawyer, and each one is charging 100 bucks an hour. they charge for all the hours they had something to do with your case (including when they thought about your case a little driving home), or what? so then if you get slapped with a 2000 dollar bill on a really really simple case, they worked 20 hours on it? it's just an essay, basically, would it really take that long?
2006-08-03 09:29:28 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
it depends on the services you require. most lawyers work on an hourly fee basis, but you can definitely request an itemized bill of the services performed. you could also negotiate a fixed fee or instruct them not to exceed a certain amount. in practice, 20 hours is not a lot of time spent on a project which could require research of the law, analysis and finished written summary. it just seems like a lot because you have to pay it! good luck. oh, and lawyers are not suppose to charge you for time in transit (unless agreed upon) such as thinking about your case while driving to the golf course or while playing a round of golf. get an itemized bill.
2006-08-03 09:41:16 · answer #1 · answered by Darth Plagueis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all , $100 bucks an hour is a steal, at my law firm we charge $198 and hour for associates and $220 for partners..We use a billing program that has a timer, so however long it takes is what the client gets billed.
2006-08-03 16:36:37 · answer #2 · answered by AT 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a lawyer and I know that many lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they get a percentage of your court award. If you lose, they take home nothing. Maybe you should look into this kind of arrangement. Paying a lawyer by the hour can become very expensive.
2006-08-03 16:36:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my divorce, I was charged if my lawyer listened to a voicemail from me, wrote a letter, put a stamp on a letter, left me a voicemail, talked with me, talked with my wife's lawyer... the list was ridiculous with some of the things I was charged for.
2006-08-03 16:37:35 · answer #4 · answered by Uncle Tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what type of case it is, some lawyers will charge a flat fee. so keep looking.
2006-08-03 16:36:53 · answer #5 · answered by todayillsee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a lawyer. If you provide more specific details, I can give you a more meaningful answer to your inquiry.
I can tell you're not in California because the cost for attorneys is substantially higher here.
I'll be glad to hear from you.
2006-08-03 16:36:37 · answer #6 · answered by sochiswim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well,I was told it was better hourly,on my settlement my lawyer took 40% BEFORE ANY THING WAS PAID...then they paid my medical bills,then what was left was mine...which was (nothing)...no,really...nothing...also,some charge you for petty things like faxes and copies of papers,stupid things...my advice to you is to try to get a referral then, mention this person to the lawyer...my 2 daughters and myself were hit by an 83 year old woman(her fault per the police report) I lost my car (it was totaled)...his words were...if you don't get nothing,I don't get nothing...but my something went to him and the medical bills only..nothing for me being hospitalized or pain and suffering...
and it was completely legal.
someone said I should havetried legal aid instead...
2006-08-03 16:33:44 · answer #7 · answered by crystal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See if they will tell you how many hours it will take up front.
20 hours is only 2-1/2 days that is not very much work, really.
what's an essay? i can usually get them to tell me a price up front.
2006-08-03 16:34:51 · answer #8 · answered by Sufi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lawyers bill for the time they work on the matter, drafting papers, meeting with other attorneys in their firm (who will also bill for that same meeting) also if they speak with opposing counsel and if you call them on the phone that will be billed also. And, they also bill for postage, copying, faxing, etc.
2006-08-03 16:35:13 · answer #9 · answered by nicolekadman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the complexity of your case. They should be able to give you a worse case scenario on what your charges will be.
2006-08-03 16:33:48 · answer #10 · answered by hummingbird 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋