FAQ
questions - and answers. At least some of them.
A: It depends on the service. Some things cost more than others, because they take more time. Sometimes, it is impossible to guess at the start. That is why sometimes I bill per hour, sometimes I bill per event. My hourly rate is $75.00. That represents quite a savings over many other attorneys, but then, I happen to want you to be MY client!
A: I bill a chapter 7 bankruptcy at a flat rate. They can take a lot of time, but you don't have a lot of money. You are still going to think it is too much, but I promise you, it is money spent that you will not regret later. I charge $1000 in attorney fees, $60 sales tax (sorry, we have to charge sales tax on all our services), and $299 in court filing fees. That is a total of $1359. It does need to be paid in advance, because, sadly, too many clients have stiffed me when I tried to help. A chapter 13 is paid out of the plan, so you only need the filing fee of $274 up front. Then, the trustee pays me as we go. The Ch 13 can cost as much as $2000.00, because I do bill by the hour for that work, but, as I said, I get paid from the plan, so you don't have to worry about it.
Just one note: You sometimes find a lower price from another attorney, but when you do, read the fine print carefully. I know one attorney who charges about 3/4 of my fee, but my fee is all inclusive, while this other attorney charges you extra for any subsequent necessary work, and the base fee does not include costs. There are no suprises in my fees, and I absorb all additional costs. If the Bankruptcy Court requires additional fees, I do add them to your bill (example, adding a creditor late will cost you a $26 filing fee. We try to make sure we have it all when we file the petition, though, to avoid this.)
A: Office expenses, like the lease, utilities, internet service, and other stuff costs a lot of money. Well, I don't have an office, or a secretary, but most attorneys do, and that is why the cost is so high for so many things. I keep my office in my basement, but I still have some expenses - phone, fax, internet, advertising, etc. I can charge less than other attorneys, because I don't have the big office and employee costs.
A: You pay a retainer of $800. There are filing fees, mailing fees, and other costs as we go, and my base rate, if it turns out to be simple, is $600. Add the $36 sales tax, a $95 filing fee, and $6 in postage for the initial service (certified mail, etc) and I may refund $50 or so to you at the end. If your spouse is a fighter, we will run through my retainer fast, and I will need to bill you for more. Bear in mind, that if your spouse has an attorney, he is doing the same thing. Now, if you agree on the issues, we can sit down together, draft a document that covers everything, and if your spouse chooses not to see another attorney, maybe you can split the cost. I have had clients who do that, and while there is trauma that naturally comes with a divorce, it ends up as painless as possible, and over in just two months. If there is a fight, it starts to cost (a lot, sorry). If you are already fighting, and can't agree, my retainer is $2000, and I bill by the hour from the first interview.
One other note. Consider LegalZoom the $6 haircut. Sure, the work got mostly done, but maybe it looks lousy, there are nicks and cuts where there shouldn't be, and when you get to court, it just doesn't hang together like you thought it should. You've already paid the fee to them, for a second rate job. I don't charge the full rate to fix it, but yes, I fix the LegalZoom "haircut" that you thought you were saving money on.
A: I don't have an office you can come to, I work from my home, so let's do this on your schedule. You call me, we set an appointment, and we meet either at your home or location of your choosing. I am flexible. Even evenings and weekends, if you need that.
Just in case you wondered - I live in Vermillion, will travel throughout the region. I have had clients in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Wagner, Sioux Falls, Dakota Dunes, Elk Point, Yankton. I don't mind driving a bit to help somebody out, and I don't charge extra for it. No matter where you live, you have to go to Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Pierre, or Rapid City for your bankruptcy creditor meeting, but that doesn't mean you have to hire an attorney there to do your work. Hire the attorney who fits your needs best, and maybe that is the one who will come visit, sit down at your kitchen table with you, where you can be in a more relaxed and less stressful environment.
A: If I didn't, call me. Don't look up, here is my phone number and email again: