Is it unusual for lawyer to charge $200 consult fee?

[basketsbears]

Hi,

We are in process of interviewing lawyers. When I called for appt with one today, the receptionist said the first visit is $200. When I asked why since I was interviewing other attorneys, she said they have a big website, and she spends 1 to 1 1/2 hrs with us. The $200 does come off her fee if we would retain her.

I don't mind paying some for consultation, but doesn't $200 seem like a lot?

[carlsbadmike]

I interviewed 2 of them for 1 hr each and neither one of them charged me.

[nokia123]

I talked with four lawyers and they all was free.

[discouraged]

I was never charged. That sounds like, not quite a scam, but you'd be more willing to hiire that lawyer since you already have 200 into him/her. I don't think any of us here paid for the initial consult. If I'm wrong someone will pipe up but go to the ones that give free consults before you even think of this one.

[tobee43]

Hi,

We are in process of interviewing lawyers. When I called for appt with one today, the receptionist said the first visit is $200. When I asked why since I was interviewing other attorneys, she said they have a big website, and she spends 1 to 1 1/2 hrs with us. The $200 does come off her fee if we would retain her.

I don't mind paying some for consultation, but doesn't $200 seem like a lot?

NO...you should NOT pay a dime for a consult............dont' pay a dime.

[basketsbears]

Thanks! I did not make appt with her, just thought it was kinda strange.

[HHM]

Some lawyers charge as a way to weed out the shoppers and those attorneys that do still do quite well.

The free consult was just one of those things that happened in the BK industry. Once 1 lawyer did it, pretty much all lawyers had to do it. Outside of the BK market (or general consumer market), all lawyers charge a consult fee equivalent to their hourly rate. However, now the market is such that a few, experienced attorneys can do it as a means to distinguish themselves...think of the phrase, you get what you pay for...what is the value of "free" advice? Also, it really depends on what the lawyer is offering to do. Most lawyers won't offer that much at a free consult, it is much more a sales pitch than a "consult" (although some attorneys offer good advice at the free consult). Now, $200 is a little steep unless they are actually going to do something for you, i.e. run a preliminary means test. But many of the very best Bk attorneys do charge consult fees.

You need to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, a paid consult with a top flight BK attorney is probably a different service and experience than a "free" consult with a run of the mill BK attorney. Odds are, you are not paying for something that other are offering to do for free. Just like in BK, a $1,500 BK is not that same thing as a $2,500 BK.

Although it is unusual to charge a consult fee for BK, it is not unheard of, and sometimes can be worth it.

[Peeps]

Just curious if her fees for handing a BK are substantially lower than other attorneys in the area?

I figure part of the fees I paid to my lawyer made up for all of the people who wander in looking for free consultations (myself included). If she's not giving away free time for consultations, it seems only reasonable that her billing structure might look a bit different. Or maybe not.... maybe she's on to something very lucrative!

[basketsbears]

She does seem to have great ratings online. I was so surprised when they gave me that fee. We are going to meet with others then see if we haven't found anyone we are happy with will call back. Not planning on filing till summer.

[panda]

I paid a 250 consult fee, but this was after I went to a freebie who was garbage. My attorney was also more expensive at $3000 which included the filing fees, versus about 1800 for Mr. garbage. Believe me my attorney was well worth every penney we paid her. Our 341 was so uneventful, and I was so pleased especially after watching several of the other people and seeing how terrible their attorneys were, including Mr. garbage, and two others that were just as bad.

Of course that does notmean that you always get what you pay for even with an expensive attorney, but I knew right away after meeting ours that she was good, that is just something intuitive, so trust your gut.

[frogger]

If you're at a BK mill, I would expect for the consult to be free. If you're using one of the premier BK attorneys in your area, I would not mind a fee at all. The fee helps to weed out the BK cases that they don't want/need.

[Toby629]

I met with 3 lawyers before choosing the best, and none of them charged anything for the consultation. All three spend considerable time with me on the initial consultation meeting. Never heard of paying just to consult with an attorney, after all, you are interviewing them basically to see if they qualify to represent you in your BK case.

[NowImDownInIt]

I could go both ways on this. It's a gamble to get a good BK attorney and you see A LOT of bad ones on this forum given time. Is that fee credited to your cost of retaining the attorney if you choose to do so? That can be beneficial. Like HHM said, you get what you pay for and in bankruptcy, a good attorney can make a world of difference.

[AlmostAmos]

I met with 3 attorneys, 1 of them had a consultation fee. The only reason I met w/ him (last) was that he was recommended by a member here @ BKForum & I was 75% sure I was going to hire him before I even met him. Do your research before you pay for a talk... I think I paid $160 or so - and that was credited toward my CH7 fees. It worked for both of us.

[Charlie777]

That's about what I paid, I went with a highly rated specialist (lawyer does only BK with a sideline in suing creditors who violate the BK rules or FCRA after discharge), to say he runs a "mill" would be unfair, he has an extremely successful practice and did a great job for me.

Remember too, it can be argued that a free consultation doesn't give rise to attorney client privilege.