How do you charge for legal work?

We charge based upon the amount of time spent or based upon a flat fee quoted to you before the work begins. Typically, we charge flat fees for estate planning work or for the creation of business entities. When we charge by the time spent, we charge for real time spent working on your matter. Some firms charge in tenths of an hour or even quarter hour increments which means that a two minute call will be charged as fifteen minutes. We make every effort to explain our fees up front and typically provide a retainer agreement which clearly states how fees are charged. We encourage clients to ask any questions.

Who will be doing the actual work on my legal matter?

An attorney at the firm is always responsible for and is always handling your legal matter. We do not allow paralegals or legal assistants to provide legal advice and draft legal documents without the oversight of a lawyer. Some firms do. On the other hand, we are sensitive to the costs associated with handling legal matters. When a paralegal can create the initial draft of a legal document or a lawyer charging a lesser rate can complete a task, we often use this method to decrease the overall fees charged to our clients.

Should I represent myself in court?

You have a right to represent yourself in court in a civil case, called being pro se. In small claims court or JP court, the rules are more relaxed and it is very common for people to represent themselves. In other courts, the court will hold you to the same standards as if you were a lawyer. The Texas Rules of Evidence and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure apply and impose significant pitfalls for persons who are not familiar with them. In most cases, we recommend you hire a lawyer.

Can you tell me whether I have a strong case before I spend a lot of money?

It is fair game to ask an attorney at the outset whether you have a good chance of winning a case. If you consult with us, we will give you an honest appraisal of your situation whether you like the answer or not. Keep in mind that no lawyer has the ability to predict the outcome of a case with absolute certainty, and the steps necessary to complete litigation will also depend upon the how the opposing party responds during the litigation.

How will I know what is happening with my case?

We believe that communication with our clients is a key component of the relationship. We will inform you of every important date and keep you informed of events along the way. Any document sent by us on your behalf or received from the other side will be provided to you. As important as communications from us are communications from our clients. We encourage clients to ask questions and ask for updates along the way. We make it easy for clients to reach us by phone or email, and we also have more than one person in the office who knows the status of a case at all times.

Are there others ways for solving my legal problem?

Go ahead and ask us. We often find solutions for our clients that do not require our involvement. If your legal matter can be handled through less expensive and less time consuming means, we simply tell you. We look for ways to resolve disputes through mediation, family settlement agreements, or settlement negotiations. We also push our cases along when settlement is not possible.