How much are attorney fees?
How much are attorney fees?
$100 – $600 average cost per hour
Average attorney fees
Attorney fees are $100 to $600 per hour on average. Hiring an attorney costs anywhere from $250 to $30,000+ total depending on the type of attorney and case. Some attorneys charge a 25% to 40% contingency fee only if you win your case. Others charge a retainer fee or deposit of $500 to $10,000+ before working on a case.
| Fee type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $100 – $600 per hour |
| Flat fee | $250 – $30,000+ |
| Retainer fee | $500 – $10,000+ |
| Contingency fee | 25% – 40% |
Hourly rate
Most attorneys and lawyers charge $100 to $600 per hour and bill clients in 6-minute increments at the agreed-upon rate. Some attorneys use both flat rate and hourly rate billing methods. This hybrid billing approach allows lawyers to offer flexibility in their pricing structure depending on the nature of the legal work.
| Attorney type | Average cost per hour | Average flat fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tax attorney cost | $200 – $600 | $500 – $10,000+ |
| Real estate attorney cost | $150 – $500 | $500 – $2,000 |
| Immigration lawyer cost | $150 – $600 | $1,000 – $15,000 |
| Criminal defense lawyer cost | $200 – $500 | $1,500 – $30,000+ |
| Misdemeanor lawyer cost | $200 – $500 | $1,500 – $8,000 |
| Traffic lawyer cost | $100 – $500 | $50 – $5,000 |
| DUI lawyer cost | $150 – $500 | $1,000 – $15,000 |
| Tenant lawyer cost | $200 – $500 | $500 – $5,000 |
| Eviction lawyer cost | $150 – $400 | $1,000 – $1,800 |
| Domestic violence lawyer cost | $150 – $500 | $3,500 – $20,000 |
| Family lawyer cost | $200 – $500 | $2,500 – $15,000 |
| Divorce cost | $100 – $400 | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| Estate lawyer cost | $200 – $400 | $2,000 – $15,000+ |
| Probate lawyer cost | $100 – $500 | $2,500 – $10,000+ |
| Cost to write a will | $150 – $400 | $300 – $1,000+ |
| Debt settlement lawyer cost | $150 – $400 | $500 – $5,000+ |
Flat fee
Flat or fixed legal fees are preset rates for routine services like creating a trust or starting an LLC. This fee structure, common in certain fields of law, offers simplicity for both clients and law firms. Clients pay up front for agreed-upon services, which aids in budgeting and streamlines billing for services like those in the following table.
| Case type | Average flat fee |
|---|---|
| Cost to set up a trust | $1,000 – $7,000 |
| Bankruptcy lawyer cost | $600 – $4,000 |
| Prenup cost | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Arbitration cost | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Record expungement cost | $900 – $1,500 |
| Starting an LLC cost | $1,000 – $2,300 |
| Power of attorney cost | $200 – $600 |
| Trademark cost | $750 – $2,400 |
| Copyright cost | $250 – $500 |
| Patent cost | $5,000 – $35,000+ |
Attorney retainer fee
A retainer fee is an upfront deposit of $500 to $10,000 or more that the client pays. As the attorney works on the case, they subtract their hourly rates from the retainer balance. They also deduct court costs and other expenses from the retainer.
Retainer fee agreements should include the following details:
Hourly rates of the lead attorney and any paralegals
Examples of expenses like travel costs, or postage
When or if the client will replenish the retainer
Contingency fee
Attorneys that use a contingency fee charge 25% to 40% of the settlement or monetary award. If you win, the attorney will collect the funds, keep their portion, and give the remainder to you. They should also give a financial statement showing the award amount and deductions.
An employment lawyer charges a 30% to 40% contingency fee or $300 to $500 per hour.
A disability lawyer charges 25% of disability backpay, or up to $9,200 total.
A personal injury lawyer charges 30% to 40% of the settlement amount.
A workers' comp lawyer costs 10% to 30% of the settlement or $1,000 to $12,000 total.
Cost factors for attorney legal fees
Beyond the lawyer’s fee structure, the following factors affect the cost of hiring an attorney:
Location: Attorneys in large metropolitan areas tend to have higher rates than attorneys who work in rural parts of the country.
Legal service: Different legal services—like criminal defense, estate planning, or business law—have varying price ranges based on the nature of the work.
Experience: Attorneys with a lot of experience, members of large firms, or those with an excellent reputation charge higher fees.
Specialization: Attorneys with niche expertise in their field may charge premium rates for their specialized knowledge.
Trial: Complex cases that go to trial instead of being settled outside of court will take longer and cost more.
Additional fees
Some attorneys charge separate fees for the following services:
Court filing costs
Phone consultations
Paperwork delivery
Times spent researching
Finding expert witnesses
Summons fees
Travel expenses
Paralegal aides
FAQs about attorneys
What's the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
While many people use the terms "lawyer" and "attorney" interchangeably, there is a subtle distinction between them:
A lawyer refers to someone who has completed law school and provides legal advice, regardless of whether they have passed the bar exam.
An attorney is a lawyer who has successfully passed the bar exam and is legally authorized to represent clients in court proceedings.
Some states, namely Wisconsin, Washington, New Hampshire, and Oregon, have started allowing lawyers to represent clients in court whether they've passed the bar or not. These states offer alternate pathways to licensure instead.
Are attorney fees tax deductible?
Personal legal fees are normally not tax-deductible, but attorney fees associated with business activities do qualify for deductions. To ensure compliance and maximize your potential deductions, consult a financial advisor specializing in tax matters. They can provide personalized advice tailored to your unique situation.
Who pays probate attorney fees?
Probate attorney fees come out of the deceased person's estate, not from the executor or family members. Probate attorneys may charge hourly, a flat fee, or a percentage of the estate's value.
Who pays attorney fees in child custody cases?
In child custody and divorce cases, each parent is normally responsible for paying their own attorney fees. However, the court may order one party to pay the other's legal fees if there's a significant financial disparity between the parties or if one parent engages in misconduct that affects the custody proceedings.
Can you go to jail for not paying attorney fees?
No, most people do not go to jail if they don't pay attorney fees. This would be considered a civil debt, not a criminal offense. This could lead to liens or judgments ordering you to pay or garnishing your wages.
The only scenario where someone could face jail time for not paying their attorney would be if the client had enough money to pay them but refused to pay, even after a court ordered it. They could be held in contempt of court.
Getting estimates from attorneys
When searching for competent legal representation in your area, consider these crucial steps:
Examine feedback from previous clients on reputable platforms such as Lawful and Google to assess the attorney's reputation and performance.
Confirm that the lawyer has successfully managed cases similar to yours, demonstrating their expertise in the required legal area.
Select an attorney who provides a clear and detailed explanation of their fee structure.
Sign a written contract before the attorney starts to work on your case.
Questions to ask an attorney
When looking for an attorney, gauge their skill and suitability by asking them these questions:
What field of law do you specialize in?
What percentage of your practice is dealing with cases like mine?
Have you handled cases similar to mine before? What were the outcomes?
Do you have any special certifications or credentials in this area of law?
What is your fee structure? Do you charge hourly, a flat fee, or a contingency fee?
Can you provide an estimate of the total cost for my case, including fees and expenses?
Who will be working on my case? Will it be you personally or other members of your team?
How will you keep me informed about the progress of my case?
What is your approach to handling cases like mine: aggressive litigation or negotiation-focused?
Approximately how long do you think it will take to resolve my matter?
Can you provide references from past clients with their consent?
Are there any potential conflicts of interest that could affect my case?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.