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In Memory of 09-11-01
Lest We Forget
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FEE STRUCTURE:
Our Basic Fee Structure:
The first thing most new clients
want to know is "How much is this going to cost me?"
Truthfully that question can be difficult to answer accurately. The only way we
can give you an accurate estimate is after we have interviewed you and reviewed
your case. During the initial interview, we will inform you of what we feel is
the best approach to handling your case. Since, there may be more than one
way to handle a particular matter, we will advise you of each and every option
that you have, the downside of each and the projected cost of each option.
Basically we
charge $300.00 per hour against a retainer. The initial retainer is
set to cover the initial services that we anticipate providing for you.
This may very quite a bit, depending upon the facts of your case and how quickly
we will be providing services. For example an uncontested divorce case is
going to have a lower retainer and total cost than a complex divorce case,
with restraining orders, a custody evaluation and numerous hearing all within 60
days. You could say that the amount of the initial retainer will
very depending on the complexity of the case, how soon and how extensive the
services we will be providing, and your ability to finance your case.
It is important to
us that our clients clearly understand that whatever their individual case
involves, they are expected to finance it. This may sound cold hearted, but it
really isn't. Taking personal responsibility for your own life, is the first
step on the road to recovery and growth. You should clearly understand
that it is not just the amount of the initial retainer that we need to be aware
of, it is about the total cost of the case. Regardless of whether the case
is simple or complex, you are expected to pay for your representation by our
firm. We want our clients to understand that we are not in the business of
financing your case. If you have any questions regarding our fee structure
please feel free to call our office and discuss your concerns.
Divorce and Family Law Cases:
Divorce & Family Law litigation cases are charged on an
hourly basis. Our basic hourly rate is $300.00 per hour plus costs.
Obviously if you have a complicated or hotly contested case, it is going to cost
you more than a simple case because of the time involved. Custody disputes are
likely to be the most expensive aspect of Divorce and Family Law cases. In
some cases we can get the other side to help out with your fees and costs.
However, we cannot take on Divorce & Family Law cases on a contingency basis as
such fee arrangements are prohibited.
Criminal Cases:
Our fees in most Criminal cases are
determined either on an hourly basis or a flat fee basis. Our basic hourly rate
is $300.00 per hour plus costs. The amounts required for flat fee cases depend
on the seriousness of the case and the amount of work we anticipate doing. In
most criminal cases, payment in full is expected in advance of the commencement
of representation. However, in some cases we can arrange payment plans when
appropriate. If you have any questions as to whether you may qualify for a
payment plan, please feel free to call our office and discuss your
concerns.
Civil Cases:
Some civil case are handled on a contingency
basis and some are handled on an hourly basis. We evaluate each case and
determine whether or not it would be appropriate for that particular case to be
done on a contingency basis. However you should understand that most cases in
this field are handled on a strictly hourly basis.
For cases done on
an hourly basis we charge our basic hourly rate of $300.00 per hour plus
costs. A contingency fee means that we don't get paid
unless we settle the case or are successful in litigating the case at trial or
arbitration. The actual percentage that we charge varies from case to case
depending on the complexity of the case and anticipated difficulty in obtaining
a recovery.
Defense of Personal Injury cases
and civil cases are done at our hourly rate of $300.00 per hour plus
costs. Some cases such as Probate and Conservatorships the fees are set by
the Court. Our basic hourly rate is $300.00 per hour plus costs.
Landlord-Tenant Cases:
If you
surf the web looking at Landlord-Tenant Attorneys websites, you would think that
they are almost paying you for the honor of going to Court for you. You will
find ads offering complete "uncontested" services for
between $200.00 and $300.00. To the uninitiated, paying more would seem like a
foolish proposition.
However, once you learn the
reality of the situation, you will quickly see that most of these ads are pure
unadulterated hype. The truth is that the vast majority of landlord tenant cases are
contested, so for most of you the low price is meaningless. If you read these
ads closely, you will find that any additional service such
as obtaining a copy of the complaint, setting the case for trial, and preparation for trial,
etc. etc. all cost extra.
Once again your dear old sweet mom
was right when she told you that , "you
don't get anything for free." We have always felt that hype
in advertising is just not right. We don't believe in deceptive hype advertising
and we will never resort to hype advertising. We don't apologize for our
fees because we don't have to. We provide first rate services and
we charge accordingly. You get what you pay for, just like your mom
told you.
Our fees in most
Landlord-Tenant cases are determined either on an hourly basis or a flat fee basis. Our
basic hourly rate is $300.00 per hour plus costs. The amount that is required
as a retainer for flat
fee cases depend on the amount of work we
anticipate will be necessary. Because of the summary nature of these type of
cases, payment in full is expected in
advance of the commencement of representation.
What constitute Attorneys Fees:
Hourly attorneys fees are charged for any and all time
spent on the following items: Court appearances for trial or hearings; office
conferences; depositions; case research and management; telephone conferences;
drafting or reviewing letters, correspondence, notices, pleadings, deposition
and/or court transcripts; discovery materials; opening, preparing, reviewing,
maintaining and closing case files; consultation with attorneys and their staff,
investigators, accountants, appraisers, child custody evaluators, medical or
psychiatric evaluators, interpreters, negotiators, consultants, expert
witnesses, custodians of records, and other such persons; preparation or
interview of witnesses; preparation for hearings and trial, conferences,
meetings; waiting time and travel time to and from such meetings or court.
What Constitute Costs:
Examples of cost items are filing fees, parking fees,
process service fees, costs of investigation and discovery, accountant fees,
appraiser fees, child custody evaluation fees, medical or psychiatric evaluation
fees, lab fees, paternity evaluation costs, interpreters, negotiator or
consultant fees, expert witness fees, record procurement, beeper service,
photography, deposition fees/charges, costs of trial/arbitration, postage,
sanctions, and photocopying. When we have to travel within or outside of
the County of Los Angeles, the mode of travel, travel classification, and
accommodations shall be determined by our firm and and constitute a cost.
Payment Plans:
We do have payment
plans available and can help you arrange financing in some appropriate
cases. Sometimes we can get the other side to help out with your fees and costs.
You should be aware that if you are approved for a payment plan, we will expect
you to stick to it. If you don't we will not continue providing services until
you resolve the problem. If you are thinking that it doesn't matter if you
pay your bill, you are sadly mistaken. While I don't want to put a fine
point on this issue, everyone that is considering hiring our firm should be
aware that we pursue our accounts receivable just as "aggressively"
as we do any other part of our practice. We are always willing to discuss
the exact fee structure for each individual civil case, just give us
a call at (626) 797-5001.
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