Pricing & Billing Options
Client-Centered & Transparent Billing Prices
Flat Rate*
Flat rate is a pricing system where a fixed price is placed for the specific service provided. Services which align well with flat rate systems typically are for things like: simple wills/trusts, individual bankruptcy, family law (prenups, divorce, etc.), and misdemeanor offenses.
Some of the Firm’s specific flat rates are: $200 for simple wills/trusts; $400 for uncontested divorce without children; and $1100 for a simple bankruptcy.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Flat rates take away some of the inherent ambiguity (minor unanticipated circumstance) associated with hourly rates and gives the attorney and client an explicit rate payable for the attorney’s services, time, and investment.
Con: Flat rates are designed for issues with simple to medium levels of complexity with the base rate depending on the specific issue of a client, which inherently varies for each client and the facts surrounding the issue.
Unit Billing*
Unit billing is a modular system similar to flat rate, except its coverage is for discrete issues/services. Often, unit billing is used for un-bundled legal services (document review, Attorney Opinion Letters, legal advice, petition drafting, etc.) for self-representing clients, or to modulate other pricing arrangements which were not reasonably expected when the attorney and client first determined costs (e.g. time constraints).
Some of the Firm’s specific un-bundled legal services are: $400 for 0-3 hours of document review ($500 with an Attorney Opinion Letter), $150 for an hour of legal advice with a general “road map”, and $250 for the petition paperwork of an uncontested divorce without children to be filed by self-represented clients.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Unit billing is a discrete modular pay system for either un-bundled legal services (small and focused piece of a legal issue) or for issues that alter what the attorney and client originally perceived in the case/legal issue.
Cons: Like the flat rate system, unit billing depends on a specific issue of a client, which varies based on the facts which surround the client’s issue.
Contingency*
Contingency arrangements are a low-risk option for clients where if the case is ultimately unsuccessful the attorney takes the financial loss, but if successful the attorney is paid for that risk and costs incurred. Typically used in Med-Mal, Products Liability, and Federal/State Benefits (Social Security, VA disability, etc.) cases; where the potential judgment amount is sufficient to cover the risk involved.
The Firm uses a three-part graduated contingency arrangements: (1) any time before trial the firm’s rate will be between 20-30%, (2) once the trial starts 40% until the end of trial, (3) after trial (e.g. appellate work) increases to 50% of the judgment.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Contingency arrangements are a lower-risk option for clients where if a case is unsuccessful, then the attorney bears the financial loss.
Cons: Since the attorney bears most of the financial risk, they are compensated for that risk if they are successful in the case. The risk involved is the determinative factor for these types of issues.
Standard By The Hour*
By the hour is the standard pay system for most law firms, because it can be used for most legal issues and naturally adapts. A vast majority of law firms require a deposit prior to starting representation to draw upon while working on the issue/case.
The hourly rate is the Firm’s default pricing system, calculated at $250 an hour. A refundable deposit amount ranging from $800-$1000 may be required to bill fee and expenses* from while working on your case. Any remaining amounts at the end of the case will be refunded.
Pros & Cons
Pros: By the hour is a system where the price adapts naturally to the complexity of the case; i.e. time is directly related the level of complexity and the price charged.
Cons: Because time is naturally tied to complexity, circumstances may arise that lowers or increases the time investment involved. Ultimately, there is a chance of at least some unpredictability.
*These prices reflect the Firm’s billing practices; but not expenses that vary depending on the issue’s facts, which are unique to a client and their particular case. Expenses can involve: court mandated filing/operational fees (varies by court), expert fees (if necessary), record retrieval fees held by others, or fees charged by law/third parties.
External Resources
The Oklahoma Bar Association
The Oklahoma Bar Association has links to free legal resources for individuals and libraries, to include: brochures, guidebooks, FAQs, and videos.
U.S. Western District of Oklahoma
The United States Western District of Oklahoma offers a pro se (“on behalf of oneself”) guide and resources for individuals to elect to represent themselves.