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he's there. Some lawyers do just that, and then double billbill you and the other person. An honest attorney won't do that, but it doesn't hurt to ask. |
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What if you're just not sure whether you're being ripped off? You probably need to reevaluate your relationship with your lawyer. If you think he or she is deliberately cheating you, why would you want that individual involved in your case? |
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The Difference Between the $100-Per-Hour Lawyer and the $400-Per-Hour Lawyer: When Are You Getting Your Money's Worth? |
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Hourly rates depend on a lawyer's experience and education as well as the market itself. In a major urban setting like Los Angeles, lawyers often charge $400 an hour. In smaller places, equally competent lawyers might only charge $150 an hour, because no one will pay more. |
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The truth is, you should not judge an attorney by his or her hourly rate because that rate may be arbitrary. It's not as though the legal community got together and bestowed a high hourly rate on the best attorney, a little bit lower rate on the second best, and so on. It's more an ego and business decision, loosely translated as, What can I get away with? |
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For some, the hourly rate will always be considered an indication of talent and quality. A well-known lawyer might be just the one, you're thinking, to bully your spouse into settling. Maybe so, particularly if your spouse is a businessperson who is impressed by names, but it's a ploy that rarely pays off. In fact, if you hire a well-known lawyer, your case may be lost in the shuffle. The attorney's ability, integrity, and attention to your casenot his or her feeis most important. |
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The Least You Need to Know |
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Make sure that you can afford your attorney or work out a suitable payment plan before you hire that attorney. |
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Put your fee arrangement in writing. |
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Unearned retainer fees should be refundable to you. |
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Ask your attorney to let you know, in advance, the cost of anticipated legal work or third-party expenses, such as process servers or stenographers. |
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Keep a record of time spent with your attorney. |
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Do not be impressed by hourly rates; high rates can indicate a lawyer too busy to call you back. |
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