What lawyers charge
Most people ask what a lawyer costs before they ask anything else. These guides show how each kind of case is usually billed, which fees a law caps, and what you'd take home, with a calculator you can run on your own numbers.
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Accidents and injuries
- Car accident lawyer feesCalculator
Contingency percentages, case costs, liens and your take-home.
- Personal injury lawyer feesCalculator
Rates by type of case, the legal caps and what you keep.
Criminal and immigration
- DUI lawyer costCalculator
Flat fees by stage, and what a DUI costs beyond the lawyer.
- Fees for criminal lawyersCalculator
Flat fees, retainers, refunds and when you get a lawyer free.
- H-1B lawyer feesCalculator
Employer and worker costs under the Labor Department's rules.
Debt and bankruptcy
- Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13Calculator
Who qualifies, what you keep, court fees and lawyer fees.
Property, estates and aging
- Real estate attorney feesCalculator
Closing fees, hourly work, recording costs and the Closing Disclosure.
- Probate lawyer costCalculator
California's fee schedule, hourly probate and who pays.
- Elder law attorney costCalculator
Flat and hourly fees for estate plans, Medicaid and guardianship.
The rules behind these guides
- ABA Model Rule 1.5
- fees must be reasonable; a contingent fee agreement must be in writing, signed by the client, and say how costs are handled. Each state adopts its own version
- Model Rule 1.5(d)
- no contingent fees in criminal cases or for getting a divorce, alimony or support
- State and federal fee caps
- some laws cap or set the fee, for example Michigan Court Rule 8.121 for injury cases, the Federal Tort Claims Act for claims against the U.S. and California Probate Code § 10810 for probate
Other topics
Found a number that doesn't match your state's current rule, or need a guide we don't have? Write to us. These guides are general information, not legal advice; see our legal disclaimer.