We recognize the legitimate, growing concerns that clients have about the rising cost of legal services and have made a commitment to controlling legal costs by resolving disputes efficiently, fairly, and economically. We like to be part of the solution, not the problem, and will recommend alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation, and arbitration if that may help resolve the dispute.
We have an initial consultation fee of $45.00 for all matters except personal
injury, worker's compensation or Social Security disability, for these there is
no initial fee.
For most matters we work on a retainer basis and bill at $175.00
per hour. A retainer is what you pay an attorney "up-front" to get involved in;
your case. The money is not the attorney's. It is placed in the attorney's trust
account. As the money is earned the attorney can take the money out of the trust
account to pay himself. If the case is resolved and not all of the retainer has
been earned, you get back what has not been earned. If the initial retainer has
been used up you will need to pay additional fees (we are willing to work out
reasonable payment plan).
For personal injury, worker's compensation, or Social Security disability we offer our client's a contingent fee arrangement -- you pay us a percentage of what we win for you. If we don't win you don't have any attorney fees.
Divorce and Family Law
Our retainer is $1,500.00 to $3,500.00 for divorce matters (depending on complexity of the case). It is $1,000.00 to $2,500.00 for other family law matters.
Wills and Estate Planning
Most clients prefer a set fee for the work in this area. We are able to provide the following documents and set fees.
| Estate Planning Fees |
| Will |
150.00 |
| Will with contingent trust for minor children |
175.00 |
| Declaration as to Medical or Surgical Treatment (Living Will) |
50.00 |
| Power of Attorney regarding Health Care |
100.00 |
| Power of Attorney for financial matters |
100.00 |
|
(We believe that most people need all four of these documents for a complete estate plan and so provide a discount of $75.00 on the above fees - if all the documents are prepared at the same time.)
|
Bankruptcy
Many bankruptcies require only
"standard services" and can be handled for the
following costs:
Chapter 7 filing: $1,000.00 to $1,800.00 (depending on complexity of your
case). Plus a filing fee of $299 (Both payable in advance).
Chapter 13 filing: $1,500.00. Plus a filing fee of $274 (Both payable in
advance). Additional $1,500.00 (payable through the Plan)
"Additional services" may be required. For these we bill at $175.00 per hour with a retainer
to be determined.
Estate Administration
The probate of most estates can be handled at the "informal" and "unsupervised" level. At this level we will handle all the legal aspects of the estate for $1,200.00. There are additional costs which include Filing Fee - $164.00, Publication - $50.00 and certified copies of Letters - $20.00 each.
If the estate cannot be handled at the informal, unsupervised level we bill at $175.00 per hour with a $2,500.00 retainer.
In addition, some estates use a
"Living Trust" as a planning device. We charge $1,000.00 (if no estate tax
planning is required) to prepare an estate plan using a Living Trust. This plan
includes the above documents as well as the Living Trust.