Understanding Attorney Retainer Fees: What You Pay Upfront

When you hire a lawyer, they will likely ask for a retainer fee. This is essentially a down payment on future legal services, not a flat fee for the entire case.

How It Works

You deposit a sum (e.g., $3,000) into a trust account. As the lawyer works on your case, they bill hourly rates against this fund. Once the fund drops below a certain amount, you may be asked to "replenish" it.

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable

In most states, retainer fees for family law must be kept in a trust account until earned. If your case ends early, you should get the remaining balance back. Always check your engagement letter to ensure this is clear.

Tips for Managing Costs

• Ask for detailed monthly invoices.
• Clarify what counts as "billable hours" (e.g., is a 2-minute email billed as 15 minutes?).
• Do as much administrative work (gathering documents) yourself as possible.