Douglas Law Group, LLC

FAQs

• What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

  Misunderstandings surrounding legal fees can be stressful for client and attorney alike and have a damaging effect on the lawyer-client relationship. When facing Domestic Relations Litigation, having to spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars on your case can be frustrating. In family law matters, as in many other kinds of cases, lawyers traditionally bill by tracking their time. Although hourly billing remains the most common billing system, we have moved away from the hourly billing system. Commonly, hourly time is tracked in tenths of an hour, or 6 minute increments. Billable time includes things like telephone calls and communications by electronic mail, drafting and reviewing documents, travel time, appearances at meetings and hearings, and legal research. When a new case is opened, an advance deposit (frequently called a retainer) is obtained before any work is started on a case. This retainer is held in a regulated trust account carefully administered by the firm. As the attorney performs work on your case, the time is tracked and then an invoice is prepared, typically on a monthly basis. Shortly thereafter, the earned fees are transferred from the trust account into the firm’s operating account as it is then “earned.” If there are retainer funds remaining at the conclusion of your case, then such funds are returned to you. If your retainer funds are low, yet more time on your case is required or anticipated, you would normally be requested to provide additional retainer funds to replenish your trust account. Clients tend to hate this billing system, as do some lawyers. Here is an example: If a client calls for a three minute telephone call, the fee for such call would be the minimum .1 of an hour, or 6 minutes. The telephone call would cost the client $30.00 if the hourly rate was $300.00 for example. There is a good chance the client does not feel the call was a good value at $30.00, and the client may hesitate to want to have communications with his or her attorney. At the Douglas Law Group, we have a fixed rate billing system. Under the fixed rate fee system, clients are empowered in a number of ways. They do not have to worry about calling or emailing their lawyer. They know what the fee is in advance, and there are no surprises with large unanticipated legal bills. However, if the client decides to adopt an unrealistic position and will not budge, the client would have some responsibility for this stance as it may increase the fee. Some firms will offer a flat fee only for a simple uncontested divorce, meaning a couple has basically agreed to all issues and needs a divorce agreement drafted and the court documents created. It does not involve any negotiations, and is really a fee for drafting documents and reviewing some basic financial information for the client. At the Douglas Law Group, we charge fixed rates in contested domestic litigation cases as well. The Douglas Law Group Fee Options: At the Douglas Law Group, clients can select what fee structure they are most comfortable with, hourly or fixed. This is extremely uncommon to offer both options to clients, and another part of The Douglas Law Group Advantage. Clients are encouraged to discuss these options during their consultation before selecting the plan that will best suit their needs and personality.

• What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

  No family law case is the same. In order to effectively advocate for her client’s Mrs. Douglas understands the importance of getting to know the details. “In custody disputes, detailed facts matter and detailed facts conveyed correctly can be the difference between obtaining primary physical custody or secondary physical custody.” We go the extra mile at the Douglas Law Group. “Leaving a stone unturned is not an option.” Conducting detailed investigations and soliciting the assistance of private investigators, therapists, and/or psychologists can make or break your case. We Listen. Mrs. Douglas understands the importance of understanding client goals and developing a custom fit legal strategy to achieve client goals. “I make it my business to gain a complete understanding of my client’s goals and perspectives at the inception of my legal representation. It is important that my clients and I are on one accord.”