Having A Lawyer On Retainer

But the services of a lawyer can save hundreds and thousands of dollars particularly for businesses.

Having a lawyer on retainer. It may be as low as 500 or as high as 5 000 or more. For the average person the only time they will have a lawyer on retainer is when they have an active case. He thanks you for your confidence in him and asks you to sign and return the enclosed retainer agreement. By paying a retainer a client receives routine consultations and general legal advice whenever needed.

According to the american bar association a lawyer on retainer refers to legal services that are paid regularly for access to any legal advice or services that arise. Having a law firm on retainer allows greater affordability although many suspects otherwise. Retainers are most useful for business that need constant legal work but do not have enough money to hire a lawyer full time. A retainer fee can be any denomination that the attorney requests.

When you have a lawyer on retainer it generally means that the lawyer is actively representing you. Sometimes a lawyer will work on a contingency fee basis instead of requiring a retainer. In return the lawyer performs some legal services whenever the client needs them. Your lawyer is providing you with a service and the only way the lawyer can be sure that he or she will be paid is to require their clients to pay a lump sum amount in advance.

It is similar to an allowance in that the lawyer is able to draw funds for various fees as the case proceeds. This is particularly helpful if a client is slow in paying. Perhaps the most apparent benefit of establishing a retainer agreement with an attorney is having the comfort of immediate legal advice at your fingertips. A retainer fee is an advance payment that a client makes to his or her lawyer before the lawyer performs any legal work for the client.

The retainer arrangement is also beneficial for the client because it provides an estimated budget for legal fees. The attorney has the assurance of being paid monthly or at least on a regular basis. No business or individual enjoys the idea of having to pay a lawyer. For example if you are in the middle of a divorce you will pay a retainer to your lawyer.

A lawyer doesn t have to charge a retainer fee but most lawyers will. The next day you receive a pleasant letter from your soon to be lawyer. Retainer fees are almost always required for cases involving a trial or a lawsuit. To have a lawyer on retainer means that the client pays a lawyer a small amount on a regular basis.

If you deal with legal issues frequently a retainer agreement keeps a close line between you and your attorney if questions arise that require immediate attention.