Retention Agreements:
The State Bar of California requires all fee agreements to be set forth in writing so there is no question about the fees and costs you will incur as a result of our representation.
The lawyer/client relationship is a partnership that requires a high level of communication and a sharing of responsibilities. Our letters of retention contain a full discussion of our responsibilities to you and your responsibilities to us, as our client.
All retainer agreements are in writing. You will be provided the agreement at the time of retention. You will be given a reasonable opportunity to read and understand the terms and conditions of retention, away from the office and with the help of anyone you choose to assist you. All retainer agreements must be signed and returned to the Firm. A copy with be provided, once completely signed, for your permanent records.
Letters of retention are serious legal contracts. You should always read such documents fully and carefully. If there is language included in the document you do not understand, ask for assistance.
Any attorney worthy of retention will gladly explain in detail all provisions of his or her retention letters.
What You Should Expect to Pay:
An initial retainer fee will be required to commence legal representation. Our average retainer is $5,000 and is not refundable. However, the amount and terms of the retention fee may vary, depending upon the complexity of your matter. It is impossible to estimate with certainty the total amount of attorney's fees or costs that might be incurred by the Firm as the result of a particular case. In many cases, fees and costs increase in matters which are high in conflict, involve contentious custody proceedings or include complex assets which must be valued by third party experts.
Under California law, parties are entitled to equal access to attorney representation for matters filed before the family court. Whenever possible and appropriate, our Firm attempts to secure payment of your fees and costs from other sources, such as the adverse party or the community estate. Whenever a fee award is made by a Court, the amount of the award is reduced from your balance or credited to your funds on retention.
The California State Bar requires attorneys practicing family law to charge their clients an hourly rate for their legal services. Currently, you should expect to pay $450 per hour for all time spent by Lisa E. Brandon; $250 to $350 per hour for time spent by other lawyers in our firm; and $100 per hour for time spent by law clerks or paralegals in the Firm. The hourly rate you are charged will include all time spent in negotiation, legal research, at court, for discovery, conferences in person, telephone conferences and travel time.
You will always receive a detailed billing statement from us each month. Each billing statement will set forth the date services are rendered, a specific description of the services provided, the time expended, the total charge for the time, any costs paid on your behalf and credits to your account (including payments received from you during the prior thirty (30) days).
Sometimes, the Firm may incur costs on your behalf for document assembly, preparation of court exhibits, postage, Federal Express, facsimile transmissions, facsimile receipts, photocopies of correspondence and pleadings, local and long distance telephone charges, computer charges for in-office electronic legal research, and binders for presentation of court documents. These expenses are not itemized. Instead, your monthly billing statement will reflect a fixed charge of 7.5% of the legal fees billed during each month to cover these costs. This 7.5% fee will not cover extraordinary charges such as voluminous photocopying of documents, extraordinary overseas telephone calls, court filing fees, and any outside vendor charges, such as court reporters, process serving, messenger fees, mobile photocopy service, computer charges for on-line electronic legal and/or public record/informational research.
How Legal Fees and Costs Are Paid:
Our firm always tries to work with our clients to insure the legal fees and other costs incurred are appropriate and necessary. However, any kind of legal matter can be expensive and financing alternatives can be of assistance.
We accept payments in cash, check or credit/debit card charge (VISA/MasterCard or American Express).
Our Firm will always seek to collect fees and costs from the adverse party when the facts of the case so justify.
Feel free to call our office for more information or to discuss alternative financing options.