Legal fee guides
How attorney billing actually works — the concepts behind every fee estimate on this site, explained in plain English with real numbers.
Contingency fees explained
The no-win-no-fee model: standard percentages, stage tiers, gross vs. net math, and negotiability.
How hourly attorney billing works
Tenth-of-an-hour increments, what drives hourly rates, and how to keep an hourly matter under control.
Attorney retainers: classic vs. security
General vs. advance-payment retainers, trust accounts, evergreen clauses, and refund rules.
Attorney fees vs. case costs
The two deductions everyone confuses: what counts as a cost, who advances it, and gross vs. net math.
Negligence and damages
The four elements of negligence, state fault rules, and how damages set the value of a claim.
Flat fees explained
One price for one service: what it covers, scope-change traps, and flat vs. hourly math.
Free consultations and case evaluations
How to use a free consult: what it covers, what to bring, and the questions that matter.
Medical liens on settlements
The third deduction from every injury settlement — and the negotiation that shrinks it.
How to fire your lawyer
Your right to switch counsel, what it costs, and how to do it without hurting your case.
Statute of limitations basics
The clock on every claim: typical windows, the discovery rule, and the exceptions.
Can't afford a lawyer?
Contingency, legal aid, pro bono, clinics, fee waivers — every route to affordable help.
Who pays attorney fees?
The American Rule, contract clauses, and the statutes that make the loser pay.
The fee agreement
The contract that controls everything — read these clauses before you sign.
Ready for numbers instead of concepts? Browse fees by case type or by state.