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CAN I AFFORD A LAWYER?
Most clients are worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer.
But, with prudent planning, you can pay legal fees, and in many circumstances,
save yourself a great deal of money by using legal services to prevent
even bigger problems.
"What does it cost" is a question that brings the frustrating response,
"It depends". Every case is unique, and some types of cases are charged
in a legally mandated manner or by custom. There are some types of cases
that have standard fees.
Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis.
With a contingency fee, the lawyer earns a percentage, usually one-third,
of whatever is recovered for the client, plus the costs of litigating
the case. The more the client gets, the more the attorney receives.
It is an incentive for the attorney to obtain the best possible result.
Some cases may be charged at a fixed fee. Wills and trusts, business
incorporations, partnerships, adoptions and uncontested divorces are
among the services for which fixed fees are sometimes charged.
Some services are offered on an hourly fee basis. You can expect detailed
billing to be provided so that you can see how your money is being spent.
Your fees can be limited by prudently using law clerks and paralegals
to assist where possible. Your attorney can talk to you about the "ranges"
of hourly legal fees for particular cases. It may not be as expensive
as you think. Some clients qualify for payment arrangements or credit.
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