Eviction Lawyer Fees in Seattle
Eviction lawyer fees in Seattle, Washington average about $1,400 — roughly 115% of the U.S. average and in line with the Washington state average of $1,400.
What this typically includes
Preparing and serving the required notice, filing and prosecuting (or defending) the eviction / unlawful-detainer case, and representation at the hearing. Court filing fees, service of process, and the sheriff or constable lockout fee are billed separately.
Washington guarantees income-eligible tenants a right to free legal counsel in eviction cases, so a qualifying tenant may not need to pay for a lawyer here — a strong protection that also shapes how landlords approach eviction.
Eviction attorneys in Washington usually charge a flat fee, lower for an uncontested case and higher when it is contested. Washington's notice periods, allowed grounds, and any rent-control or just-cause rules shape how the case proceeds and what it costs, and a growing number of cities and states provide free counsel to tenants — so check local programs.
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About Seattle, WA
With a cost-of-living index of 115% of the U.S. average and a median household income of $116,068, eviction attorney fees in Seattle typically run 15% higher than the national norm. The Seattle area supports roughly 2,292 law firms, giving clients a competitive market of firms to compare.
How Seattle compares
Average eviction lawyer fees, Seattle vs. Washington vs. the U.S.
Seattle comes in about 15% higher than the national average for eviction lawyer fees.
What affects eviction lawyer fees in Seattle
In Seattle, the cost of living sits at 115% of the U.S. average and the median household income is $116,068 — both of which shape what local attorneys charge. Beyond location, these factors drive eviction lawyer fees:
- Contested vs. uncontested — A tenant who fights the eviction turns a quick case into a costlier one.
- Landlord vs. tenant — Filing for a landlord and defending for a tenant are priced differently.
- Grounds for eviction — Nonpayment, a lease violation, or a no-cause termination each differ in proof.
- Rent control / just cause — Cities or states with rent-control or just-cause rules make eviction harder.
- Hearings & appeal — Extra hearings, a jury demand, or an appeal add to the cost.
- Jurisdiction — State and local notice periods and procedures vary widely.
How to choose a eviction lawyer in Seattle
Fees matter, but the right eviction attorney in Seattle also often improves your timeline and your outcome. Before you hire:
- Confirm the fee structure. Eviction matters are usually a flat fee — one agreed price for the work. Get it in writing before you sign — our flat fees guide explains exactly what to look for.
- Look for eviction experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles eviction cases in Washington, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most Seattle eviction attorneys review your case at no cost — use it to compare two or three.
- Verify licensing. Confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the Washington state bar.
- Clarify what's included. Ask which case costs are separate from the fee and how they are billed — see attorney fees vs. case costs.
Average attorney fees in Seattle by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by Seattle's cost-of-living index (115). Open a case type for its full Seattle fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $2,300 | $6,900 | $17,250 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $2,300 | $8,650 | $23,000 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $920 | $1,750 | $4,050 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $3,450 | $11,500 | $34,550 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,300 | $5,200 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $1,750 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $1,150 | $4,050 | $11,500 |
| Disability | Contingency | $2,300 | $4,600 | $10,600 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $1,750 | $5,200 | $17,250 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $5,750 | $18,400 | $57,550 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $3,450 | $10,350 | $34,550 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $2,900 | $9,200 | $28,800 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $3,450 | $10,350 | $38,000 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $1,750 | $6,900 | $23,000 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $3,450 | $11,500 | $34,550 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $2,300 | $8,650 | $28,800 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $17,250 | $69,050 | $287,750 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $580 | $1,400 | $2,900 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $1,750 | $8,050 | $23,000 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $2,300 | $9,200 | $28,800 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $1,750 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,900 | $8,650 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $1,150 | $4,050 | $11,500 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $1,750 | $4,600 | $13,800 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,900 | $8,650 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $1,750 | $4,600 | $13,800 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $4,050 | $9,200 | $17,250 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $230 | $460 | $1,150 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $580 | $2,300 | $5,750 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,400 | $2,900 | $5,750 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $1,750 | $5,750 | $13,800 |
| Will | Flat fee | $170 | $460 | $1,150 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $1,750 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $1,750 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $1,750 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $580 | $1,750 | $4,600 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $1,750 | $4,050 | $11,500 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $4,050 | $11,500 | $34,550 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $2,300 | $6,900 | $17,250 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,900 | $8,650 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $860 | $1,750 | $4,050 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $2,900 | $8,650 | $23,000 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $1,750 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $2,300 | $4,050 | $6,900 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $2,300 | $4,600 | $9,200 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $580 | $1,150 | $2,900 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $4,600 | $8,050 | $13,800 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $1,750 | $2,900 | $4,600 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $4,050 | $6,900 | $11,500 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $3,450 | $9,200 | $23,000 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $4,050 | $6,900 | $11,500 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $810 | $1,400 | $2,900 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $920 | $1,500 | $2,900 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $580 | $1,400 | $3,450 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $170 | $580 | $2,300 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $1,750 | $4,050 | $8,650 |
| HOA | Hourly | $1,750 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $1,150 | $2,900 | $6,900 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $1,150 | $1,750 | $2,900 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $3,450 | $4,600 | $6,900 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $580 | $2,300 | $5,750 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $1,150 | $3,450 | $9,200 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $2,300 | $4,600 | $10,600 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $2,300 | $4,600 | $10,600 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $1,750 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $2,900 | $9,200 | $28,800 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $120 | $350 | $860 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $120 | $350 | $860 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $120 | $350 | $860 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,900 | $5,750 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $860 | $2,000 | $3,450 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $5,750 | $11,500 | $20,700 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $690 | $1,400 | $2,900 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $1,750 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $120 | $580 | $1,750 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $3,450 | $17,250 | $57,550 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $2,300 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $2,300 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $5,750 | $17,250 | $57,550 |
| Employment | Contingency | $2,900 | $11,500 | $46,050 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $3,450 | $13,800 | $51,800 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $3,450 | $13,800 | $51,800 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $5,750 | $23,000 | $115,100 |
| Tax | Hourly | $1,750 | $5,750 | $17,250 |
| Business | Hourly | $1,750 | $6,900 | $28,800 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $28,800 | $115,100 | $402,850 |
Eviction lawyer fees in other Washington cities
Compare local eviction attorney fees across Washington.
FAQs - Eviction attorney fees in Seattle
Eviction lawyer fees in Seattle average about $1,400, with a typical range of $580 to $3,450. That is roughly 115% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
Seattle's cost-of-living index is about 115% of the national average, so eviction attorney fees here tend to run 15% higher than the U.S. norm.
The figures here are local averages. For a number tied to your specific situation, request a free match with a eviction attorney in Seattle, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for eviction cases and adjust it by Seattle's cost-of-living index — about 115% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $580, $1,400, and $3,450.
Seattle averages about $1,400 for eviction lawyer fees, compared with roughly $1,400 across Washington and $1,200 nationally.
Many eviction attorneys in Seattle offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a Seattle attorney who regularly handles eviction cases, check reviews and their standing with the Washington state bar, and use free consultations to compare a few before you decide.
Attorney fees pay for the lawyer's time and skill, while case costs are separate out-of-pocket expenses such as filing fees, records, and expert witnesses. In a Seattle eviction matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In Seattle, eviction lawyer fees are typically paid as a single flat fee agreed up front. Case costs are usually billed separately from the fee.
For most eviction matters, yes — the right attorney can improve your outcome by more than the fee, and many work on terms that limit your risk. Use a free Seattle consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These Seattle eviction fee estimates cover ZIP code 98101.
Last updated Aug 6, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.