Things To Know About Fee Structures Of Divorce Lawyers
If you are looking for a divorce lawyer to hire to assist you through your case, you may want to discuss the fee structure with the lawyer before hiring him or her. Asking questions about this is especially important if you want to budget in the fees and not spend a fortune on your case. If you are in this position, there are several important things to understand about divorce lawyers and the fees they charge.
Most Charge by the Hour or They Charge a Fixed Fee
The first thing to understand is that there are two main types of fee structures divorce lawyers use. The first type is a by the hour fee, which means you will pay a certain rate for each hour the lawyer works on your case. If you choose a lawyer that uses this fee structure, you should find out exactly how this works. For example, is there a charge each time you call?
If so, is there a minimum amount of time charged to your case, such as 15 or 30 minutes? You should also ask if the lawyer charges more per hour for time spent in the courtroom versus time spent in the office. It is not uncommon for divorce lawyers to charge a little more per hour for time spent away from the office, such as in court.
The second type of fee structure is a fixed fee rate. With this type of fee, you will pay a certain amount for your case, and you will know in advance what the amount will be. If you find a lawyer that charges this type of fee structure, you should make sure you understand what it includes. In some cases, lawyers will charge a flat fee for basic cases. If the case turns into a custody battle, the fixed fee might go up. You can protect yourself by fully understanding how the fee structure works before hiring the lawyer.
How to Choose the Right Option for Your Case
If you are not sure which type of fee structure to use, you should think about how difficult your case will be. If you expect the case to be very hard, finding a lawyer with a flat fee might be a better option for you. In addition to evaluating the fee structures of lawyers, you should also look at a lawyer's reputation and experience, as these two factors tell a lot about a lawyer's work.
If you have questions about your divorce case and have not yet selected a lawyer, contact a divorce law firm today to speak with a lawyer.
