Legal Fees for Services
Because I know that selecting an attorney is such a personal matter, I provide one free consultation, either on the phone or in person. I will also provide one free additional round of e-mail conversation following a free consultation. Beyond that, I will need to begin charging for my time and expertise.
Depending upon the type of work being done, I charge hourly or may have a flat fee for services. However, whether there is an hourly charge or flat fee, other expenses, such as court costs, return receipt mail, filing fees, recording fees and other expenses will be charged to the client.
My hourly fee is $175 per hour charged in 5 minute increments. This means that if I call you or email you, I will charge you for 5 minutes of time. Many attorneys bill in 15 minute increments. By charging in 5 minute increments, I am keeping my legal billing at a minimum for you. Clerical work will be billed at $25 per hour and drive time at $45 per hour.
Flat fee work is available for adoptions using certain adoption agencies, real estate work, and estate planning.
For a basic estate plan consisting of a General Power of Attorney, Last Will and Testament and Health Care Power of Attorney/Living Will, the flat fee is $350 for an individual or a couple. If a trust is needed, there will be an additional fee. Unless there are unusual circumstances, I charge a flat fee of $400 for real estate work when there is a realtor involved. This include reviewing real estate contracts, working with realtor on addendums and remedy requests, reviewing closing documents and attending the closing. On transactions without a realtor, I have to use hourly billing as noted above.
On flat fee work, full payment must be received by the finalization hearing, if an adoption, or when we sign the estate planning documents or at the real estate closing.
On fee based work, I will bill you and expect to be paid in a reasonable period of time after being invoiced. I do not take retainers.
