QUESTION
How much will the additional costs be after receiving a retainer fee?
Asked on Oct 02nd, 2012 on Criminal Law - New Jersey
More details to this question:
I’m in the process of finding an attorney. I know there will be a retainer fee but am wondering how much extra the additional costs will be.
18 ANSWERS
Bankruptcy Attorney serving Federal Way, WA
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Freeborn Law Offices P.S.
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It depends upon the case and what happens during the course of the case and whether the attorney charges a flat fee or an hourly rate and what the hourly rate is.
Answered on Jun 27th, 2013 at 12:51 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Deltona, FL
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R. Jason de Groot, P.A.
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Court costs include depositions, service of process for depositions, the cost of having the depositions transcribed, etc. Expert witness fees can also be included and those can be astronomical. When you retain an attorney you pay only for the attorney's services unless otherwise agreed. The court costs can be very high, depending upon what needs to be done in discovery.
Answered on Jun 27th, 2013 at 12:45 AM
Personal Injury Attorney serving New York, NY
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Rothstein Law PLLC
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It depends on what type of case you have and what you arrange.
Answered on Jun 27th, 2013 at 12:40 AM
Speeding & Traffic Ticket Attorney serving Mineola, NY
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Austin Law Associates, P.C.
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It depends on the law office. Our retainer fee covers the whole case. There are no extra fees unless the case goes to a hearing or trial.
Answered on Jun 27th, 2013 at 12:33 AM
It's ALL NEGOTIABLE! If you don't like the terms then find another attorney.
Answered on Oct 08th, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving McKinleyville, CA
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Law Office M. C. Bruce
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You need to ask the lawyer for an estimate of costs beyond the fee. Typically costs are out-of-pocket expenditures by lawyers to help your case. However, costs are usually outlined in the written contract of representation. And you have to have a written contract when the fee is more than $1000, per California law.
Answered on Oct 06th, 2012 at 12:51 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Pittsburgh, PA
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Law Office of Jeffrey L. Pollock
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No one has a crystal ball to predict that. Try to negotiate for a flat fee.
Answered on Oct 05th, 2012 at 11:16 PM
You have not said what kind of case you are seeking assistance for. Generally costs are filing fees, service fees, fees to obtain records, fees to obtain reports etc.
Answered on Oct 05th, 2012 at 12:25 AM
I would need to know a great deal more about your case to give you an estimate. A Circuit Court case requires filing fee and a jury which fee which comes to $235. But this only the beginning of costs. Expert witnesses can run in the thousands.
Answered on Oct 04th, 2012 at 10:04 PM
Bankruptcy Law Attorney serving Livingston, NJ
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Law Office of Stuart M. Nachbar, P.C.
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It is impossible to tell as you have not stated what field of law or type of case. Sorry.
Answered on Oct 04th, 2012 at 9:54 PM
It depends on how honest your lawyer is. Some lawyers will do a whole lot with just the fix/flat retainer and charge nothing more. Others will have a lot of hidden costs (ie. motions, experts, investigators, trial, etc).
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Estate Planning Attorney serving Farmington Hills, MI
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Law Offices of Matthew M. Friedrich, P.L.L.C.
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It depends on the type of case and the agreement you reach with the attorney you choose. In many cases, the retainer is based on a number of court appearances. That is, you may pay for a number of court appearance up front and, if you do not need to appear more than what you've paid for, there are no additional attorney fees. This is particularly true in criminal cases and does not typically include a trial fee. In other cases, you will be paying hourly for the legal work, but the fees are first billed against the retainer. I've handled cases where the retainer covered all of my hourly fees but others where I've billed for fees over and above what the initial retainer covered.
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Salt Lake City, UT
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Pietryga Law Office
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Depends on the type of fee agreement you agree to. Some charge a "flat-fee" which means you a set amount no matter how much work the attorney does. Some charge hourly. That means you pay an initial retainer and the attorney bills his hourly rate towards the retainer. Just ask the attorney
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:35 PM
Michael Paul Vollandt
Depends on what you and the attorney agree to. Usually the "retainer" is what the attorney takes in up front money at an hourly rate with a minimum amount of time. After that amount of time is exhausted then a new amount of money is usually required to continue on the case. But it is a contract between you and the attorney.
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:32 PM
Leonard A. Kaanta
It is impossible to answer. Attorneys charge by the hour, hourly rates can vary from $125 per hour to $200 per hour or more.
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Providence, RI
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The Law Office of Susan Pires
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It all depends on the time put into the case, the attorneys hourly rate, and any additional expenses. You also have not specified the type of matter you want handled.
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Steven D. Dunnings
Depends on how much time is spent on handling the case This e-mail is covered under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. The information contained in this e-mail is intended only for use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Summit, NJ
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Stephen P. Dempsey Counselor at Law
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There is a filing fee for Chapter 7 of $306. However, you are required to take a credit counseling course which cost between $20-$35.
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2012 at 1:29 PM