Probably the most common question we receive and the most difficult question to answer. The cost of any matter is related to many often unknown factors. The Attorneys at Schwartz & Plante charge an hourly rate for the services they provide. Each lawyer’s hourly rate is the same for every client. The attorneys often request an advanced payment called a “retainer fee” which is held in escrow for the client to be used by the lawyer as the case progresses. Each lawyer provides an initial consultation, then with an understanding of the issues and complexity of the case is able to quote both a retainer fee, as well as an estimate, but not guarantee, the overall projected cost of the matter. Our firm provides monthly bills, detailing our work and the charges for the work.
Massachusetts law now allows lawyers in our firm to unbundle their services and provide “limited appearance representation” for those parties who wish to hire a lawyer for a specific purpose to handle one or a limited number of pieces of their case, to limit the cost and to maximize a lawyer’s usefulness in cases where a lawyer’s help on a particular issue or proceeding is requested, without need to have the lawyer involve in the entire case.