Fee Arrangments

There are two common methods of billing in the legal profession: flat rate billing and hourly billing. In some situations a flat fee is appropriate as the work is fairly standard and it provides clients with a firm idea of how much they can expect to pay from start to finish of a matter.

However, where a matter has more variables, hourly billing is the typical fee arrangement. Hourly billing means that you pay your legal counsel for the time they work on your file. Our lawyers' rates range from $250-$450 per hour depending on experience. Matters that are billed on an hourly basis also require a minimum retainer deposit which is set at an amount that varies from file to file. This retainer is held in a trust account until a bill is issued and is then used to pay your legal bill. If your matter is resolved before your retainer is depleted, any remaining funds will be refunded to you.

​We also require our clients to sign a retainer agreement so that both parties know what is expected of them. This agreement outlines our office practices with respect to billing and services. We discuss these issues with our clients at our first meeting so that we can ensure they are comfortable moving forward. We encourage our clients to ask questions if they are unsure or need clarification.

Flat Rate Billing

In order to help create certainty and  assist clients with planning for their legal expenses we also offer flat rate billing for certain matters. Some of these prices are negotiable depending on the exact nature of your legal issue:

Wills/Estates*

Simple Will                                          
      Individual                                        $450
      Couple                                             $650
​
Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive  
     Individual                                         $250
     Couple                                              $350

Simple Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directive 
     Individual                                         $550
​     Couple                                              $750

Real Estate*

Real Estate Sale                                          $700

Real Estate Cash Purchase                       $700

Real Estate Purchase with Mortgage**   $950

​Mortgage or Refinance**                          $700
                    

​We also provide notary and commissioner services at a cost of $50.00 per document and independent legal advice starting at $150.00.*
​
​*All rates are subject to applicable taxes. Disbursements (money spent by our office on your file such as filing fees, shipping costs, etc.) are billed separately as an additional cost. Please discuss these fees with our office so that you understand what you will be billed for. These rates are subject to change and the rates discussed with our office, if different from those listed on this website, will be taken as the correct values.​
​
​**Additional fees may be added should the mortgage company not follow standard real estate procedure. 

Tips to Manage your Legal Fees

​Please find the following list of tips to help reduce your legal costs. By no means must you follow these guidelines. They are provided to you in order to help assist us in being efficient with the time you are being billed for.
 
Before coming to see us: 
  • Gather all relevant papers and documents and organize them in chronological order.
  • Write a chronology of events if it is appropriate.
  • Note the names, addresses and contact information of witnesses or other involved parties.
  • Prepare a written list of the issues for which you want advice.

When you talk to us:
  • Stick to the facts as best you can.
  • Disclose all the facts, no matter how small; good and bad.
  • Ask questions when you do not understand.
  • Do your best to remember or take notes on information you have already described so that we don’t repeat discussions of details or incidents at future meetings, unless necessary. 
  • Ask if there is anything further you can do to reduce your costs.
 
After you have talked to us:
  • Our legal assistants may be able to assist you in routine matters, and we would encourage you to contact the front desk prior to direct communication with your lawyer. 
  • Try not to make unnecessary phone calls. Our office will return all calls and emails as soon as possible, but a response may take 24 hours or more. 
  • Consider writing to us by email rather than calling.
  • Compile a list of questions or concerns to communicate to us at one time to reduce the amount of communications for which you are billed.
If you are concerned about legal expenses and they become a barrier for you, the following organizations may be of assistance:​