There are three basic fee arrangements:

• Set fees - we charge a set fee in transactional-type matters where I am confident I know how much work is involved. For example, I charge set fees for document preparation such as deeds, powers of attorney, wills and trusts. I also charge set fees for no-fault divorces, separation agreements where the agreement is not contested, traffic court cases, real estate closings, etc.
• Hourly fee - under an hourly fee arrangement, I keep track of my time and bill accordingly. Brian's basic hourly rate is $225.00 per hour and Michelle and Patrick's $175.00 per hour. Depending on the nature of the case, I usually require a retainer (an upfront deposit) against which I will apply my bill for services rendered. This retainer can vary a great deal and is predicated on the estimated amount of work and the circumstances, and is quoted on a case-by-case basis. Typically, I apply this fee structure to situations where the amount of work is uncertain; for example, most litigation, extended administrative or business work, and consultation.
• Contingency fee - this fee is contingent on recovering money from which my fee will be paid. The classic use of the contingency fee is in personal injury, or automobile accident, cases. In such cases, I, like most attorneys, will claim a fee of one-third of the client's recovery. If no recovery is made then I am not entitled to a fee. Contingency fees are used in situations where a client is unable or unwilling to pay an attorney at an hourly rate, particularly where the potential recovery is of uncertain likelihood and amount. There are some types of cases where lawyers are prohibited by law from having a contingency fee arrangement, however, most notably in the domestic relations or divorce area.