ABA Family Legal Guide

When and How to Use a Lawyer

1.4 Legal Fees and Expenses

How can I be sure that my lawyer will not overcharge me?

The fee charged by a lawyer should be reasonable from an objective point of view. The fee should be tied to specific services rendered, time invested, the level of expertise provided, and the difficulty of the matter.

Here are some broad guidelines to help you in evaluating whether a particular fee is reasonable:

• The time and work required by the lawyer and any assistants
• The difficulty of the legal issues presented
• How much other lawyers in the area charge for similar work
• The total value of the claim or settlement and the results of the case
• Whether the lawyer has worked for that client before
• The lawyer's experience, reputation, and ability
• The amount of other work the lawyer had to turn down to take on a particular case