FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Fees There are three ways to charge for legal services: hourly, fixed fee or contingency. Hourly Rate: Attorney Fratto Lordan typically works on an hourly basis with some exceptions. Typically, my hourly rate varies from $150-250.00 per hour depending on the type of case. The vast majority of legal work is done on an hourly basis. After a consultation, the hourly price will be determined as well as what I will require up front for a retainer. With a retainer you are prepaying for your legal services so the attorney knows they are going to get paid because, yes, a lot of people skip out on their legal bills. When an attorney takes a retainer it is held in a separate bank account and the attorney can only pay themselves from it when they earn it. They should give you a breakdown of the work that was performed and the time spent when they draw from the retainer. If there is any money left in the retainer when the case concludes then it should be refunded to you. However, if the attorney uses up all the money before your case is over, then you will have to pay another retainer or pay your bill as agreed upon with an attorney. Know that when an attorney asks for a huge retainer, you should demand an accounting when they are paying themselves from it. Limited Assistance Representation: I can also represent you on a limited basis in the Probate and Family Court. What this means is that you can hire me to represent you at a single court hearing or event and any further work requires additional a new agreement between the attorney and client. You are "paying as you go" for legal services, which can save you lots of money if you are willing to do some legwork yourself. Work is typically done on an hourly basis or a flat fee basis depending on the amount of work and/or court appearances involved. Hourly rates for limited assistance representation are $75.00 per hour and $350.00 for a single court appearance. Flat fee agreements can vary, but can start at $250. Some flat fees offered are: $300.00 flat fee for an estate plan that includes a simple will, health care proxy, and a durable power of attorney. Contingency Fee Agreements: I can handle personal injury claims for the plaintiff on a contingency basis. A contingency fee agreement means that your legal fee will be 1/3 of any settlement or judgment. We don't get paid unless you get paid. However, it is important to note that out of pocket costs to the attorney (such as filing fees, or medical record fees, expert witness fees, if any) are the client's responsibility regardless of the outcome of the case.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Typically when a new client contacts me, I try to schedule an in-office meeting as soon as possible. In the meeting we will go over exactly what you want, sign a retainer agreement and get started on the case.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I attend numerous continuing education courses throughout the year. As a member of some of the trial panels I am on, I am required to attend a certain number of hours each year per panel. A continuing education facility called MCLE sends out a brochure of programs regularly and I am always going through it to see what programs would be beneficial for me to take.