Attorneys usually require some sort of deposit up front to manage your case. Two types are common:
Hiring Any
Attorney.
Hiring an attorney for the first time can feel intimidating. At the Hemmat Law Group we believe in educating you about the legal industry, even if you never hire us.
In a nutshell:
What to expect when hiring an attorney in Seattle, and how fees are charged.
Hiring Any Attorney – Generally Why you hire an attorney.
Clients do not hire attorneys to prepare documents and argue in court. Clients hire firms to peer around corners and provide predictions on likely outcomes. Though we do prepare documents and advocate as part of our jobs, this is only a side effect of our real function:
Law firms manage the unwritten rules and uncertainty you cannot know about alone.
Attorneys generally charge in three different ways:
By the Hour in (6 min) increments. Hourly fees are the most common way a lawyer charges for services. Hourly time is flexible & open ended. In theory, you will only be charged as much as the matter takes to address.
But this flexibility is exactly the downfall of the hourly rate. The expense has a potentially infinite ceiling if your case gets out of hand. Very common in family law cases where contention requires agility.
Per-project (flat-fee) basis. Flat fees are project-based billing where a firm takes a fixed payment upfront to accomplish a specific task.
Best employed when matters are highly predictable or fixed in scope, or where risk management is less of a factor. Very common in business law, where fixed contract drafting occurs frequently.
Flat fees are particularly great at controlling expenses for clients.
On contingency (% of a settlement) Contingency fees are where a firm agrees to take payment out of an anticipated payoff at the end of a case. Most common in injury cases or class action lawsuits.
This means that you can hire a firm for free, and they don’t get paid unless they win.
In Washington, attorneys are forbidden from offering this fee structure in family law matters.
In a nutshell Hourly fees are flexible, flat fees are predictable, and contingency fees are accessible.
Choose your billing structure carefully.
Attorney deposits
Retainers
We almost never charge them.
Retainers are big bags of money you give to a firm to take and be available for your case – in addition to the hourly fees you pay them. Retainers can be nonrefundable even if the lawyer quits the next day.
Hemmat Law does not usually take retainers.
Trust Deposits
Our way of business
Trust deposits are gas tanks of your money a firm holds on file during your case. The firm’s invoices will (generally) be paid out of trust, and the trust balance will be replenished periodically. Trust funds are also used to pay case expenses, like clerks and process service fees. This is the model we like to follow.
Practice Areas
Whether clients are involved in a hotly contested divorce, dealing with narcissistic conflict cases, navigating an emotionally wrenching custody battle, administering the estate of a loved one, or wrangling over a contract, our determination and experience have achieved the best results for our clients. Trust us to guide you through the legal process and achieve the best possible outcome for your family.
HLG’s Opinions on the Legal Industry and hiring us:
Our industry is rife with systemic challenges.
On one hand, an inefficient bureaucracy of the courts, who usually place strict limitations on how we can approach complex problems. It is a strictly rational system that adheres so rigidly to arbitrary standards that it defies common sense. At best, it is an apathetic machine that tries its best to understand you, but often fails.
On the other, clients who have very understandable time and financial constraints.
Many of these people are also in various stages of personal crisis and are in no mood to put in the weeks of work and thousands of dollars needed to operate in our industry.
As a team of mostly family lawyers, we are very aware that most of our clients would prefer to have never needed us. We get it.
Family Law Resources
Learn More About Washington Family Law in our Learning Center, with complete guides to Divorce & Separation, Technology, AI & Digital Privacy, Family Law FAQs, Washington Family Law Research, calculators and more.
Child Support Calculator
Not sure what to expect for child support payments? Our child support calculator is here to give you a clearer idea of what to expect so you can plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect when I hire an attorney in Seattle?
Costs vary entirely based on the level of conflict and the complexity of your assets, so we can’t give you a direct answer. See our ‘What will my case cost?’ page for more information.
What we can say, is that currently in King County, the baseline court filing fee is $314. Most Seattle family attorneys charge hourly rates between $300 and $550 (we did a big Washington Family Law study to look into this – you can download it here if you’re interested).
Beware of any lawyer who guarantees a total cost for a contested case; unpredictable spouses and other circumstances can drive up fees. A family law trial is almost always a terrible idea; resolving issues outside of court is the best way to maintain control of your life and your wallet.
What will an attorney in Seattle charge me?
Washington State enforces a strict, mandatory 90-day cooling-off period. The clock starts the day the petition is filed and served on your spouse.
- If you agree on everything, the divorce can be finalized on day 91.
- If your case is highly contested or headed for a judge, expect it to take 9 to 18 months to resolve in King County Superior Court.
Can I pay my attorney a flat fee?
Washington courts don’t actually use the word “custody.” Instead, the focus is entirely on the best interests of the child. The court looks at who has been the primary caregiver, the emotional bond with each parent, work schedules, and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. A judge’s ultimate goal is to mandate a stable, safe environment for the kids.
Visit our Seattle Custody and Support page to read more.
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