What to Know When Hiring a Lawyer

When hiring a lawyer, it is important to know ahead of time how much it will cost you. You have the right to ask lawyers how they charge their fees and what the estimated price will be for their services.

Lawyers charge different kinds of fees depending on the case. Here are some of the fees that lawyers charge:

• Time Billing: When the lawyer is paid for the amount of time they spend working on the case. Time billing is sometimes called an hourly rate.
• Consultation Fees: When the lawyer charges you for your first meeting to figure out if they can help you.
• Contingent Fees: Fees paid to the lawyer out of the money you are awarded when the case is over. Contingent fees are like attorney fees but paid from damages awarded to one party. Be sure to know what percent of the award your attorney will be paid.
• Flat Rates: When you and the lawyer agree on the total price of the case before any work is done.
• Limited Scope Legal Assistance: When you and a lawyer agree that the lawyer will handle only some parts of your case. You will handle other parts on your own. Make sure you know exactly what the lawyer will do for you. Be sure to know what you are supposed to do on your own.
• Other Costs: Other expenses like court filing fees and photocopying fees. Most attorneys charge you for these fees. You may be able to have your court filing fees waived by a judge.

It is a down-payment that is sometimes required by lawyers for fees and other costs. The lawyer will pay themselves from the retainer for the work they do. Once the case is done, the lawyer will refund you what is left over of your retainer. 

Attorney fees are when a judge orders one party to pay for the other party’s attorney. The law allows judges to order one party to pay the other party’s attorney fees only in certain cases, like some consumer protection or personal injury cases.

• When choosing a lawyer, take the same careful steps that you would take when picking a doctor or a contractor.
• Be wary of lawyers who make big promises. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
• Make sure the lawyer is licensed to practice in the state where your legal problem is.
• It is a good idea to talk to at least 3 different lawyers and hire the one that you feel most comfortable working with.

• Lawyer Referral and Information Service: www.montanabar.org, click on “Public”  then “Hire a Lawyer” (the referral is free but the lawyers are not).
• You can ask trusted friends, family, or coworkers for the name of a good lawyer.
• Look through the phone book.

Before you set up your first meeting with an attorney, ask if they charge a consultation fee.  During your first meeting, it is a good idea to ask what fees they will charge you. Lawyers may charge you different fees like time billing and other costs. Make sure you understand exactly how much and when an attorney will charge you. For example, lawyers often charge time for phone calls or emails. A lawyer may not be able to tell you exactly how much your case will cost. You can always ask for an estimate or a range of how much your case might cost.

Ask about the lawyer’s education and experience.

• Do they work on cases like your own?
• Do they represent clients in your particular situation?
• Ask whether the lawyer has malpractice insurance.
• If the lawyer is not able to help you, ask if they can refer you to someone else for free.

Limited scope legal assistance is when you and a lawyer agree that the lawyer will handle only some parts of your case, and you will represent yourself in the other parts of your case. Limited scope legal assistance may cost you less money. Lawyers are required to give you an agreement in writing. The agreement should say what the lawyer will do for you and how much it will cost you.

• Hiring a lawyer for advice only
• Hiring a lawyer to represent you on certain issues in your case while you do the rest yourself
• Hiring a lawyer to prepare the forms for you while you file them and represent yourself at the hearings

You have the right to know exactly what you are paying for. You have the right to discuss and bargain the proposed fee.

• Make sure you understand when you can communicate with your lawyer, whether by telephone, email, or personally in the office.
• Keep a log of all contacts with your lawyer’s office, with dates and time spent discussing your case.
• Ask for monthly billing statements for fees and costs. If you do not agree with any charges, discuss them with your lawyer right away.
• Keep dated and signed receipts of all money paid to your lawyer and the purpose of each payment.
• Never sign blank documents, receipts or checks.
• Never sign a power of attorney, or retainer agreement that authorizes someone to endorse or cash a check made out to you, unless absolutely necessary.
• It is important to tell your lawyer about any new case developments. Your lawyer should talk to you about the progress of your legal matter.
• If your lawyer fails to return your telephone calls, write them a polite letter asking that they contact you.
• Remember that you have a “professional” relationship with your lawyer. You and your lawyer should avoid romantic, personal, and business situations.

Find a Lawyer

• The State Bar Lawyer Referral Service may provide you with contact information for attorneys who provide the type of assistance you are seeking, for a fee. You can contact the State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (406) 449-6577 or montanabar.org. 
• Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) provides free civil, non-criminal legal help to eligible clients. Learn more about how to apply for free legal help in Montana. 
• If you qualify for help from MLSA, you may be able to get free legal advice from a volunteer attorney by email using Ask Karla. 
• Contact your nearest Self Help Law Center for free legal information and forms.

Find Legal Forms

• Visit our Self-Help Forms Page, choose a legal topic, then narrow your results to find common forms
• You can also get forms at https://courts.mt.gov/Forms