VWB Blog There’s a reason why the legal services market is worth an estimated $347 billion. Every day thousands of people rely on lawyers to navigate the murky waters of our legal system. However, as the figure points out, lawyers are undoubtedly expensive.
But, exactly how much do lawyers charge? The answer to that question is anything but simple.
Luckily, in this article, we’ll give you a quick breakdown. That way, you can estimate how much it will cost to take advantage of a lawyer’s services. Let’s get started!
How Much Do Lawyers Charge Generally?
The cost of a lawyer depends on several factors. Two of these factors are things like the experience level of the lawyer and the geographic location of where you live.
However, the biggest factor is the type of case you’re hiring the lawyer for. Generally speaking, here’s a rough estimate of what the different types of cases cost
- Misdemeanor criminal charge = around $1,000
- Felony criminal charge = around $3,500 or higher
- Simple estate planning = around $1,500
- Complex estate planning = $10,000 or higher
- Simple divorce = around $1,000
- Complex divorce (involves custody) = $5,000 or higher
- Hourly rates = between $250 to $700 per hour
What Are the Different Fee Structures?
There are four basic fee structures for lawyers. These include hourly fees, contingency fees, a flat fee, and a retainer. Hourly is fairly self-explanatory. The lawyer will charge you for each hour they spend on the case.
With contingency, the lawyer only gets paid if they win the case. A flat fee pays for the entirety of your case. Typically they will also charge you an hourly rate which will then be deducted from the retainer.
How Do You Find the Right Lawyer For Your Needs?
It’s important to find a lawyer that meets the needs of your case. For example, if you have a complex divorce case, then you should look for a lawyer that’s a bit more experienced than the average divorce professional.
Similarly, you should find a legal professional that specializes in whatever case you’re involved in.
For example, if you’ve been injured in an accident and want compensation, then you should look for a good personal injury law firm. That way, they can bring proper experience to the lawsuit.
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We hope this article helped you answer the question, How much do lawyers charge? As you can see, the price of a lawyer varies depending on what you’re hiring them for, the fee structure, and where you live.
If you still aren’t sure whether or not you can afford a lawyer, then contact a few. They should be able to give you a more accurate breakdown of their pricing structure.
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