If you want to save money, there are a variety of options available to you. First and foremost, respond completely and honestly to all of your lawyer’s questions. Not only will you feel better, but you will save money on legal fees as well as time. If you provide your lawyer with all of the facts as you know them, you will save time that could otherwise be spent on the case and will assist your lawyer in performing better. Keep in mind that the ethics of the profession require your lawyer to keep almost everything you reveal during your private discussions in the strictest confidence under all circumstances. You should feel free to share all of the details of your case with your attorney, even if some of them are embarrassing to you. It is especially important to disclose to your attorney any facts about your case that reflect negatively on you. If your case goes to trial, it is almost certain that these will be revealed.

Is it possible for me to lower my legal expenses if I become more involved in my case?

Sometimes. Keep up with the latest developments in your case and request copies of any important documents pertaining to it. Inform your lawyer if you are willing to assist with any tasks, such as picking up or delivering documents or making a few phone calls on his or her behalf. You don’t want to get in the way of your lawyer’s work, do you? Doing some of the work yourself, on the other hand, may allow you to move your case along more quickly, reduce your legal expenses, and keep yourself better informed. Consult with your attorney about this.

Does the billing method used by the lawyer have an impact on the other costs?

In some cases, regardless of the billing method used, certain costs and expenses will be billed to the customer. A fee is charged by the court clerk’s office for the filing of a complaint or petition, which initiates a legal action. A fee is charged by the sheriff’s office for the service of a legal summons. Postage, copies of documents, telephone calls, and the advice or testimony of some expert witnesses, such as doctors, are all expenses that must be covered by your attorney. There is a possibility that these expenses will not be included in your legal fee, and you may be required to pay them regardless of the fee arrangement you choose. Typically, your attorney will cover these expenses as they arise, billing you at regular intervals or at the conclusion of your case.

What are referral fees and how do they work?

If you go to Lawyer A, he or she may be unable to assist you and may instead refer you to Lawyer B, who works at a different law firm and has more experience dealing with your type of case. Occasionally, Lawyer A will receive a portion of the total fee you pay to Lawyer B in exchange for referring you to him. This type of fee may be prohibited by law, particularly if it increases the final amount that a client is required to pay. Lawyers in different firms are prohibited from dividing a client’s fee in most states, according to the rules of professional conduct for lawyers.

It is necessary that the client is aware of and agrees to the arrangement; that the fee is divided in a way that reflects the amount of work done by each lawyer, or that both lawyers are fully responsible for the case; and that the total bill is reasonable.

If one lawyer refers you to another, like a divorce attorney to a dog bite attorney, you have a right to know whether or not you will be charged a referral fee for the referral. If there is one, inquire as to the specifics of the agreement reached between the attorneys.