Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thervo.
How much does an attorney cost?
Attorneys charge$100 to $300 per hour on average, depending on their experience and specialization. Attorneys in small towns or those still in training cost $100 to $200 per hour, while experienced lawyers in large cities charge $200 to $400 per hour.
These fees cover research, court filings, travel, documents, and advice. Some attorneys are willing to charge a flat-rate fee for simple projects, such as:
$700 for an uncontested divorce
$1,000 for writing a prenup
$300 for writing a simple will
$1,200 to write a will for a complex estate
What is an attorney?
An attorney is a legal representative who conducts business on your behalf and can represent you in court. There are multiple different kinds of attorneys with different specialties, including:
Personal injury
Real estate
Corporate
Civil rights
Divorce
Prosecutor
Tax law
Immigration
Family and estate, or probate and wills attorneys
Though the terms "lawyer" and "attorney" are often used interchangeably by the general public, the two are not the same. Both go to law school and can give legal advice, but lawyers cannot represent anyone in court because they haven't passed the bar exam.
Do I need an attorney?
Attorneys are responsible for guiding clients through stressful, difficult situations, such as:
A car accident, fall, or other accident that resulted in an injury
Being arrested or accused of a crime
Filing for bankruptcy
A family crisis such as divorce, adoption, death, or custody dispute
What is a retainer fee?
A retainer fee is what attorneys charge for essentially being on call. Attorneys either calculate retainer fees based on how many hours they expect to work within a month or the total time they plan to work on your case.
Many attorneys keep track of time spent on phone calls or emails and apply that time towards their fees. You'll have to pay more if your case takes up more time than the retainer fee covers.
How do lawyers make money if they lose a case?
Attorneys usually charge a fee for their time, whether they win the case or not. Some lawyers work on contingency, meaning they will take a percentage of awards if they win the case, but many do not. Make sure you are aware of an attorney's fee arrangement before continuing.
What is power of attorney?
Power of attorney (POA) is a legally binding agreement allowing a person you designate to make choices about your finances, medical care, or property. This allows a trusted friend, spouse, or family member to act on your behalf when you can no longer make choices on your own.
How do I choose an attorney?
Search our list of attorneys, then:
Get at least three free estimates from different firms to compare.
Read reviews on Thervo and Google.
Choose an attorney with a good reputation and experience with your case type.
Verify that they passed the bar and are qualified to represent you.
Get a written estimate or contract before any casework takes place.
Arrange a payment schedule instead of making a large payment up front.
After asking questions and verifying their credentials, hire the best attorney in your area.
What questions should I ask attorneys?
When looking for an attorney near you, consider these questions:
What degrees and experience do you have as an attorney?
How long ago did you pass the bar?
Do you give free consultations?
Are you able to take on new clients at this time?
What are your fees?
How many cases like mine have you won?
Will you give me a contract in writing?
Reviews for New York attorneys
Recent success stories from people in the New York area.
Vadim Z.
I hired Mike when I was in disastrous situation. I had an OP against me, I could not get access to my daughter, petitions for the sole custody and child support was filed by my ex.
After the first court appearance with Mike, OP was removed and I got temporary residential Custody. Right after, my ex created a criminal case against me. Mike helped me promptly to get all criminal charges dismissed and I got full temporary custody of the child.
Custody battle last over 2 years and all this time Mike was a grate help for me.
After Custody hearing that by itself last for a year I got permanent full Custody of the child despite that we got a new judge. Again, it would be impossible to achieve without Mike’s
A year later, we won an appeal filed by my ex.
It is not very common in our days that fathers get full custody especially when mothers do not overuse drugs or alcohol but I got it with grate Mike’s help.
Mike often gave me advises that saved me time and money. For example, he ended up the hearing right in time despite that I thought more time is required to bring more witnesses to convince the judge.
Mike available when I need him and answers to my messages / phone calls in time. His promptness saved me in number of situations in my high-conflict divorce.
He was transparent to me, did not hide anything.
Mike is a good strategist. For example, I accepted one of his advises that was not beneficial to me in a short term but played well at the end.
Mike was transparent to me, did not hide anything.
It does not mean that I put my fate in lawyer’s hands and stop thinking myself. I knew what I wanted and use Mike’s sharp mind, professional skills and experience of a trial lawyer in order to achieve the desirable outcome.
BARROWS LEVY PLLC
Blanca C.
She was my hero got me through one of the worst times of my life !
Diana Mohyi Attorney at Law P.C.
Christina B.
He was very informative and punctual. He gave us a clear picture of what information was needed for our day in court and everything went smoothly. I would highly recommend his services.
Leonard J. Tarantino, Attorney at Law.
Jose Z.
Great service and accurate, David helps you with any questions about any case. Also rapid response and works round the clock
David H.E. Bursik, Esq.
Adrienne W.
Mark is kind, caring and an excellent listener. He is also a bulldog when it requires. You will get phenomenal service with this firm and will not be treated like just another client. I highly recommend for excellent service and great results.
Law Offices of Mark F. Brancato
Michael Y.
Excellent group - I felt comfortable working with this office. They handled my divorce matter. There wasn't too much to fight over, but I still liked how the lawyer explained everythig and I knew what to expect.
Law Office of Qadeer & Sheikh, PC
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