FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
There are different types of fee arrangements that attorneys may offer in family law matters. Read your fee contract closely and make sure you understand it before signing. Many flat fee and installment fee arrangements seem less expensive up front; however, depending on the services included in the fee agreement, a flat fee arrangement may not be the most efficient or cost effective method to handle your case. Make sure you are contracting for the services that you expect, and that you understand what services are included and what services are not included in your contract. At Andres & Brownlee, we typically request an initial retainer and bill the case on an hourly rate basis. Your retainer is deposited in a trust account. Periodically we will invoice you for the time spent on your file. The invoice will be detailed so that you will know exactly what we did and how long it took. We will send you the invoice and then pay that invoice from the money in your retainer account. As the balance in your retainer account decreases, we may ask you to replenish your retainer. We only bill you for the time we actually spend on your file and the expenses incurred in your case. At the end of your case, if there is a balance remaining in your retainer account, you will be refunded that money. Due to the unique nature of each family cases, we feel that the retainer and hourly billing method is the most efficient and fair way to handle most family law matters. However, we are flexible, and we do offer flat fee arrangements in some circumstances.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Talk to multiple attorneys before you choose to hire an attorney, and don't hire an attorney based on what seems to be the lowest cost. You should ensure that the attorney you hire is knowledgeable and experienced in area of law in which you need assistance. However, what is even more important than the attorney's experience is that you are comfortable with your attorney. Your attorney is someone you will be working with closely, and sharing some of the most intimate details of your life. You need to be comfortable with your attorney as a partner, working with you to resolve your situation.