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By Rich Harris, The Harris Law Firm, P.C.
Have you heard the old joke that the most famous law firm in town is "Dewey Cheatem and Howe"? Why is it that lawyers are often referred to as "sharks"?
Well, this reputation is often well deserved. As with any profession, there are going to be some unscrupulous characters that try to rip people off! The fact is, your legal fees can be very high, even when you have an honest attorney. However, you can still make sure that you receive value for your hard-earned dollars. You can avoid being a victim by making sure you take certain steps to protect yourself from dishonest attorney billing practices. Here are 5 things you can do to protect yourself:
- INSIST on a written fee agreement. Lawyers are constantly telling you to "get it in writing". Why shouldn't you when it comes to your agreement with your own attorney? The fee agreement should explain in detail exactly how your legal fees are calculated. It should also include a number of other items designed to safeguard your rights as a client, including, for example, the costs for support staff such as paralegals, which expenses are charged such as court filing fees, and your remedies in the event of a fee dispute with your attorney (and YES, you do have remedies!).
- INSIST on regular communications between you and your attorney. There should never be a time during your case where you don't understand what your lawyer is doing. The fact is, you can best keep track of your legal fees by always knowing exactly what's going on in your case. Your lawyer should be accessible to you, and should be able to answer your questions.
- INSIST on copies of all documentation. Again, in order to keep track of your legal fees, it is crucial that you understand everything that is going on in your case. Another excellent way of doing so is to make it clear to your lawyer that you expect to receive copies of any and all documents that come in or out of her office that are relevant to your case.
- INSIST on regular, written statements itemizing all of the charges from the law firm. Most reputable law firms will send you a bill each month. That bill should provide a detailed breakdown of all of the charges. Take the time to carefully review these bills. You have the right to expect that, when you have questions about your legal bills, your questions can be answered to your satisfaction. The days are long- gone where clients should have to put up with demands for payment without explanation.
- INSIST on estimates of future charges. As a wise consumer, you should be well aware of the potential costs of any of the decisions you make in your case. Of course, litigation can be expensive, and it is often impossible to predict exactly how high those expenses will go. But, your lawyer should take the time to explain to you the pros and cons of every strategic decision you make.
Ultimately, you as the consumer are responsible for protecting yourself! A court case can be one of the most difficult and daunting things you ever experience. But, you can still protect yourself by keeping control of your legal fees. Stay informed, be conscientious, and remain proactive! You can be a wise consumer, even of legal services!
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