Seeking legal counsel can be very expensive. Here at the Drake Law Firm, we do not use a flat fee system. Instead, we implement hourly billing. However, it can be beneficial for you as a future client to understand the various ways in which attorneys and law firms charge for their services.
What is a Flat Fee?
A flat fee occurs when an attorney charges one set fee for their services. This is most common for routine matters such as creating a will, a pre-nuptial agreement, or uncontested divorce. The way it works is that instead of being charged for the amount of time an attorney spends on your case, you are charged a flat fee up front for the service. Some law firms may offer flat fee billing for certain services and hourly billing for others.
Pros of a Flat Fee Attorney
- Predictable expenses
- A set amount is agreed upon and paid upfront.
- Potentially quicker services
- Typically, attorneys charge a flat fee for very straightforward or routine services which can equate to faster turnaround.
Cons of a Flat Fee Attorney
- Possible overpayment
- If an attorney finishes your case very quickly, it might be more expensive as a flat fee versus if an hourly fee attorney quickly finished the work and billed you less.
- Not every case is suitable for a flat fee
- It is difficult to accept flat fees for certain types of cases so it may be hard to find a flat fee attorney.
There are many ways an attorney or law firm can charge for their services including flat fee, hourly billing, or contingency fees. There is not a perfect “one size fits all” approach and each client may have their own preference on the way they are charged for legal fees.
Contact the Drake Law Firm Today
Here at the Drake Law Firm, we work hard to educate clients on their all of their options. If you have any questions, contact us at the Drake Law Firm today by giving us a call at 303-261-8111.