If you’ve ever hired a lawyer, you may have been staggered by the costs involved. Why do lawyers cost so much?

Attorneys can easily demand thousands of dollars and charge $200 or $300 per hour to take your case. Some charge upto 40% off the top of any settlement or verdict you get. So if you are injured in an accident, your lawyer may get almost half of everything you are entitled to.

However, if you ask any lawyer, they may tell you that their costs are fair. In fact, many will lament that they are underpaid. Here’s a look at some reasons lawyers charge what they do:

So how can you avoid these high hourly rates? You can try to take advantage of some lawyers’ free consultations, but there’s typically only so much you can discuss before your free time is up. Also, keep in mind that free consults are usually used by attorneys as a way to get clients in the door for the purpose of signing up new clients, so don’t expect to walk away with a lawyer letter, or much more than information on what you can do next (which will usually involve hiring that lawyer, if they want your case).

If you’ve already retained a lawyer, the best way to cut back on costs is to stay on top of things: Bring all necessary documents to your meetings and hearings, promptly reply to your lawyer’s requests, and make a list of questions to ask all at once. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your attorney what you can do to reduce the costs. Time is money, especially when it comes to lawyers, so make sure you spend it wisely.

Related Resources:

  • Find an Attorney Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
  • Don’t Want to Hire a Lawyer? It Could Cost You (FindLaw Insider)
  • Paying Alimony: How Long Can It Continue? (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
  • 5 Tax Filing Tips for Procrastinators (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
  • Tips for Negotiating Your Work Contract (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)

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