There are several ways lawyers charge for their services. The most common are:
Hourly rate – Most lawyers bill by the hour, with their hourly rate depending on their experience, location, and the type of case. The attorney will bill you for each hour (or part of an hour) that they work on your case.
Contingency fee – With a contingency fee, the lawyer does not charge you anything upfront. Instead, they will take a percentage of the settlement or award that you receive. The percentage can vary, but it is typically between 33% and 40%. Contingency fees are most used in personal injury cases.
Flat fee – Flat fee rates are a set fee lawyers charge for a specific task, such as drafting a will or representing you in a traffic ticket case. The flat fee can vary depending on the complexity of the task.
Retainer – A retainer is an upfront payment that you make to the lawyer to cover their costs and expenses. The retainer amount can vary depending on the lawyer's hourly rate and the estimated amount of time they will spend on your case.