Legal fees can be intimidating, but they do not have to be. See our fee guide below to see what our standard office charges look like, so you can plan the financial aspects of the case, while we manage the legal.
Retainers or Flat fee?
Our office uses a combination of both retainers and flat fees. Depending on the work that we do, you may be quoted a “retainer” or a “flat fee.”
So what is the difference, and why do we use both?
Retainer
A retainer acts like a bank account with our office. When we are hired to do work on a case, and it is hard to tell exactly how much time we will need to spend on it, we offer a retainer agreement. Retainer agreements will come with a quoted dollar amount that is held in a trust account. As we do work on the case, we deduct just the amount that we have earned each billing period, and send a statement for what work was completed, how much time was spent, and how much was deducted. Our office does not collect interest on the funds paid by retainer, and any money that is not charged during our services is given back to you at the end of our representation!
Our office charges a different rate for the work done by different staff members which correlates to the level of expertise and experience they have. To find out more about why legal services cost so much, please see our page dedicated to fee clarity.
Flat Fee
For services that do not require ongoing representation, such as estate planning and document review, we charge a flat fee, meaning that the price quoted is the cost of the service. Unlike a retainer, you will not be charged on an hourly basis, and the funds paid will not be returned. We try to provide flat fee services as much as possible so that our clients know exactly what to anticipate financially.
Why both?
We utilize a combination of both retainers and flat fees as a service to our clients. We understand that flat fees provide more financial clarity, and allow for clients to make ongoing financial plans. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what some cases will look like, and what a fair price would be for a flat fee case.
Contested divorces can range between $10,000 and $15,000, while uncontested cases may cost $2,000. Quoting a flat fee for these services could result in significant overage costs to our clients, and we do not want our clients to have to pay for more than they have to. We understand that legal fees are a barrier to quality representation, and here at the Nordgren Law offices, we believe that lowering barriers allows for better outcomes, and happier families.
Ready to take the next step? Give our office a call to schedule your free* consultation today!
* For clients referred by the Chicago Bar Association, our office is charged a $30.00 referral fee, and as such, we must pass this cost along to the potential new client. If you are referred by the Chicago Bar Association, please be prepared to pay a $30.00 fee for our consultation.