Legal Fees
Bishop Law Office Legal Fees
At Bishop Law Office, we represent people going through a divorce or who have other family law concerns. To sit down to discuss the legal fees that we charge, contact one of our offices in Phoenix or Tempe, Arizona.
- Consultation Fee
- Retainer Fees
- Fee Agreement / Billing Statements
- Quality Representation at an Affordable Cost
- Fee and Representation Options
- Representing Yourself / Pay As You Go Option.
- Representing Yourself / Consult Option.
- Formal / Full Representation
- If You Cannot Afford an Attorney
Consultation Fee
The firm will provide you an initial consultation at a reduced rate.
Your initial consult fee is $150.00 for the first hour (pro-rated if less than one hour) for attorneys Martin, Fuqua, Kjos, and Przeslicke. The consult rate for attorney Bishop is $200.00 for the first hour (pro-rated if less than one hour). Should you retain Bishop Law Office on a full retainer basis, you will receive credit for your consult fee up to one hour so that such consultation is free.
Retainer Fees
You do not have to pay a huge retainer fee at Bishop Law Office to obtain quality legal representation.
At many firms, one is required to pay a large retainer up front. Such retainer fees are required by law to be deposited to the law firm’s trust account. The interest on such funds does not go to the client, but rather goes to programs sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona. Bishop Law Office provides for a smaller retainer than many firms. In some cases, no retainer fee is required at all.
Some firms also include a “non-refund” clause in their fee agreements. Such firms state that a certain portion of your retainer is “earned upon receipt”. This means that the firm gets to keep your money regardless of whether they do the work. Bishop Law Office does not do this. Our fee agreement makes it clear that we do not get paid until the work is done. See “Fee and Representation Options” below.
Fee Agreement / Billing Statements
When you purchase groceries, you receive a receipt, which lists each and every item you purchased. How about legal services billing? Some firms do not provide their clients with descriptive and itemized billing statements. Bishop Law Office provides its clients with monthly-itemized billing statements. The billing statements describe specifically what services were rendered on your behalf each day. That way you can keep track of each item for which you are charged. You will know you are being billed reasonable fees for work you know has actually been done on your behalf. This enables you to ask questions about your fees if you so desire. Clients should know what they are paying for.
Not all attorneys provide written fee agreements to their clients. This can lead to confusion and very expensive surprises. Bishop Law Office will provide you with a written fee agreement up front. Our attorneys will discuss the fee structure with you in order to avoid any surprises or confusion.
Quality Representation at an Affordable Cost
The old axiom that you get what you pay for is often true with regard to attorneys. You may find attorneys that charge a little bit less per hour than others, but have limited experience. Attorneys who have less experience often spend more time on a case, thus you may spend as much or even more for a less experienced attorney. On the other hand, you do not need to pay exorbitant fees for quality representation.
How many times have you heard someone say that their attorney messed up their case? Bishop Law Office suggests that you interview more than one attorney until you find someone that you are comfortable with and have confidence in. We believe that you will find that our firm will fit your needs. You need to have a comfort level with your attorney. You need an attorney who has a strong knowledge of the law and the court system. You need an attorney with a game plan. You need to feel comfortable that your attorney is staying on top of your case and knows the facts. You need to be able to contact your attorney without unreasonable delays. You need an attorney who is on your side and is fighting for your rights.
Fee and Representation Options
1. Representing Yourself / Pay As You Go Option.
Some clients do not wish to incur more attorneys fees than necessary, and would like to represent themselves (the Court calls this “Pro-Per” representation), while still having the aid of legal counsel. In such cases, a person can represent themselves with our assistance. We can help you draft Court forms, provide you guidance in presenting your evidence to the Court and provide you with such other assistance you may need from time to time. (We can even attempt to settle your case on your behalf).
Under this option, you only pay at the end of each session. Some people only need one session. Other people request more sessions at different stages of their proceedings. Under this option, there is no retainer fee. You simply pay as you go.
There are limitations regarding this option. For example, the firm does not go to Court on your behalf unless it is formally retained. In the event that you are unable to resolve your case, and desire to have the firm represent you in Court, you can always formally retain the firm at any time.
Our attorneys will assist you in deciding whether this option is best for you.
2. Representing Yourself / Consult Option.
Some clients may wish to represent themselves, but may need more services than is provided under the “pay as you go option”. Under the “Consult Option”, the firm can draft all of your Court documents for you, can communicate with the other side as needed, can attempt to settle your case for you, can meet with the other party and his or her attorney, and is more involved in the daily aspects of your case. In some cases, the “pay as you go option” is all you need. In other cases, the “Consult Option” better meets your needs.
The firm generally requires a minimal retainer under the “Consult Option”. This consult retainer varies depending upon the complexity of your case.
In the event that you desire to initially represent yourself under one of these options, you can always retain the firm later to formally represent you if necessary.
Again, our attorneys will assist you in deciding whether this option is best for you.
3. Formal / Full Representation
Under this option, we are your “attorneys of record”. This means that we formally represent you for all aspects of your case, including all hearings and at trial if a trial is necessary.
In some cases, the facts and legal issues are more complex, and self-representation is not in a person’s best interests. Except in very straightforward cases, we do not generally recommend that you represent yourself if the other side is represented by an attorney.
Although the firm requires a retainer to formally represent you, we charge a lower retainer than many firms. Rather than charging you more up front, we charge you a smaller retainer fee and request that you make monthly payments so that your retainer fee is not used up.
Our attorneys will assist you in deciding whether this option is best for you.
4. If You Cannot Afford an Attorney
If you cannot afford an attorney, you may try the following services:
- Maricopa County Lawyer Referral Services at (602)257-4434
- Community Legal Services at (602)258-3434
- Family Lawyer Assistance Program (602)506-7948
To sit down and speak with a family law lawyer about your family law or divorce concern, contact Bishop Law Office today.
