{"id":357948,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/attorney-fees-and-agreements\/fee-disputes.html"},"modified":"2026-01-23T12:59:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:59:11","slug":"fee-disputes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/attorney-fees-and-agreements\/fee-disputes.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Dispute Fees With Your Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Dispute Fees With Your Lawyer<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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There are many ways to handle a billing dispute to protect your pocketbook. First, check your itemized bill and fee agreement carefully. Ask your attorney to clarify any confusing items or amend incorrect charges. If you suspect lawyer misconduct, you can seek a remedy through arbitration or a claim of legal malpractice.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

No matter what amount of money you are spending on a lawyer’s services, you want to ensure that you are receiving the services you are paying for. Paying more money than you should or expected to for legal fees can be a frustrating experience, which could mar an otherwise solid attorney-client relationship.<\/p>\n

This guide explains what to do if you have concerns about your attorney’s fees. Many fee disputes can be resolved through a polite conversation with the lawyer. Some disputes may advance to arbitration. In cases where a client has reason to believe their lawyer intentionally misled them or violated the fee agreement, they may hire a new lawyer<\/a> to represent them in a legal malpractice claim.<\/p>\n

Fee Arrangements and Fee Agreements<\/h2>\n

Most attorneys will have a written fee agreement<\/a> for clients to sign at the beginning of their representation. That way, everyone knows how the case will be handled and what the client is expected to pay for the attorney’s services.<\/p>\n

Lawyers often charge a flat fee for some cases. These cases are usually simple “one and done” legal matters, such as drafting a will or a traffic ticket case.<\/p>\n

Other cases may incur a contingency fee, which means the attorney will only be paid if they win the case. The fee is often a percentage of the amount recovered for the client. Clients are still required to pay for other costs of the case, like filing fees and expert fees. Personal injury cases are normally contingency fee cases.<\/p>\n

For many cases, lawyers often use a retainer<\/a> and fees by the hour. A retainer is an amount of money you pay upfront to the lawyer while they bill you based on the time they spend on your case. You will receive an itemized bill each month of what the attorney and their staff have done on your case. Family law cases are often handled this way.<\/p>\n

What Should You Do When You Receive Your Bill?<\/h2>\n

When you receive a bill from your lawyer, it’s essential to look closely to see what they are charging you for. In most cases, lawyers will provide an itemized statement detailing each service charge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A billing statement may include charges for:<\/p>\n