what does a lawyer charge to speak on the phone?

by Winston Carroll 8 min read

As others have said, most attorneys charge for any time spent on the matter. If there was a 6 minute telephone conversation, then you would be billed.10 of an hour. Fees add up very quickly. An attorney is taking his or her time to work on your case. If you feel you have been overcharged, you might consider speaking directly with your attorney.

Some lawyers charge for their time in six-minute increments, and will round up. For example, if your lawyer charges $250 per hour, a ten-minute phone call may cost you $50. The lawyer may be able to estimate at the first meeting the number of hours it will take to finish the case.

Full Answer

Can a lawyer charge for emails and phone calls?

A lawyer can charge for anything that occupies their time. Every email read, every email sent, every email replied to can be billed. Every phone call, every "attempted" phone call can be billed. Now, in certain areas of law, how much an attorney can charge for certain things is... Yes emails and phone calls take time.

What can a lawyer charge for?

A lawyer can charge for anything that occupies their time. Every email read, every email sent, every email replied to can be billed. Every phone call, every "attempted" phone call can be billed. Now, in certain areas of law, how much an attorney can charge for certain things is...

Should you hire a lawyer who charges by the hour?

Once you hire a lawyer, it will be much more difficult to adjust the billing method or fees. Before you choose a lawyer who charges by the hour, make sure to ask if he or she divides the hour into 15-minute or 6-minute increments.

Can a lawyer charge a flat fee for a case?

Flat fee: a lawyer may offer a flat fee for a specific, simple, and well-defined legal case. Examples of cases eligible for flat fee billing include uncontested divorces, bankruptcy filings, immigration, trademarks , patents, and wills. Before agreeing to a flat fee, make sure you understand what is covered in the agreement.

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Can someone charge you for a phone call?

The California crime of making annoying phone calls (or sending annoying electronic communications) is a misdemeanor in California law. This means that the potential consequences of a PC 653m conviction are up to six (6) months in county jail, a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

Do lawyers charge for email communication?

Yes, lawyers can charge you for emails.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

How much is a retainer fee for a lawyer?

Overview. A retainer fee can be any denomination that the attorney requests. It may be as low as $500 or as high as $5,000 or more. Some attorneys base retainer fees on their hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours that they anticipate your case will take.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much will a lawyer cost for a divorce?Some lawyers offer flat-rate pricing for simple, uncontested divorce proceedings. But when a divorce i...

Jay Scott Finnecy

Yes they do. Lawyers charge for their time. Any time dedicated to your case and the meter is running.

Matthew Scott Berkus

Absolutely. A lawyer can charge for anything that occupies their time. Every email read, every email sent, every email replied to can be billed. Every phone call, every "attempted" phone call can be billed. Now, in certain areas of law, how much an attorney can charge for certain things is...

Disclaimer

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When The Attorney Fee Agreement Says So

A lawyer can charge you for his or her services (and the services of the firm staff) when an agreement to form an attorney-client relationship has been reached.

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