INITIAL CONSULTATION

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My fee for your initial consultation for most matters is $200. I will spend an hour or more with you so that I may get as complete a picture of the facts and your situation as possible. During that first consultation, I will advise you on your options and possible courses of action and the cost of the various options.   You can rely on me to be straightforward with you and to tell you if there are ways in which you can handle a matter on your own if you prefer.  I will not agree to take your case unless I believe we can work well together and that I can assist you in obtaining your objectives.  

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MY FEES 

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It is not possible for me to quote the total cost of a matter before meeting with you in the initial consultation and learning as much as I can about your situation and your case.  I offer fixed fees in many cases, which means that you pay one fixed amount in advance.  This offers you the security of knowing exactly how much you will pay your attorney.  Some cases, like divorce with contested property or child custody issues, do not lend themselves to a fixed fee arrangement.  In those cases, I bill my time at $350 an hour with an advance deposit required.

 

In probate cases, Florida Statute 733.6171 sets forth the presumed reasonable fees for the attorney for the personal representative.  In general, those fees are a percentage of the value of the probate estate.  On many cases, I will charge somewhat less than the full fees contemplated by the statute.  

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COSTS

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Out-of-pocket costs, including but not limited to filing fees, clerk's fees for summons, process server fees for summonses or subpoenaes, court reporter fees, mediator fees, and my mileage to and from locations away from my office are billed in addition to attorney's fees.  Your particular case determines what out-of-pocket costs you might incur.  I will tell you what those are likely to be at the initial consultation.

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