Contingency, flat, or hourly - whichever fits the case - explained in plain words, with payment plans for criminal and family matters and full contingency disclosure on personal-injury files.
Surprise invoices destroy trust faster than any other single thing a law firm can do. So we put everything on the table before you sign.
How we charge, by practice area
- Personal injury: contingency. You pay nothing up front and nothing if we do not recover. The percentage is fixed in writing at the start; case expenses are reimbursed from the settlement, itemized in a closing statement you sign.
- Criminal defense: flat fee, set at hire based on the charge level and stage of the case. If the case goes to trial, a separate trial fee kicks in, also set in writing at hire so there is no surprise on the courthouse steps.
- Family law: usually hourly with a retainer, with a clear monthly billing statement. For straightforward uncontested divorces, a flat fee.
- Immigration: flat fee per filing, with payment broken into milestones tied to filing dates so you are not paying for work that has not happened yet.
What the fee agreement covers
- The exact amount or percentage and what it does and does not include.
- Who pays case expenses (filing fees, expert witnesses, investigators) and how they are billed.
- What happens if you fire the firm or the firm withdraws.
- A simple complaint path if you ever think something has been billed wrong.
Payment plans
Criminal and family cases qualify for payment plans. We accept credit card, cash, money order, and online payment. No client is turned away from a consultation because of payment - the first conversation is free, and if a payment plan is workable we will say so honestly. If it is not, we will tell you that too.