The fee agreement will tell you what your lawyer can and can’t do, and also what you have to do to work with your lawyer (yeah, you don’t just get to lay back and wait for your day in court). There’s more to it, though, and to make sure you have the most details so you can know which lawyer is giving you the best price, don’t forget to ask.

• Will you be charging a fixed fee, or an hourly rate, or something else?
• If you are charging a fixed fee, will it be split or intact?
• Am I allowed to make payments, or am I supposed to pay all at once?
• Am I required to make down payments?
• How often can I pay?
• Will I be charged interest?
• Are there any variable charges?
• What could change this price?
• What is the range within which this price may vary?

If your South Bend Indiana DWI lawyer, for example, if the lawyer charges an hourly rate, then they will generally also offer the cheapest rates for clients who have cases which will not result in much punishment. While still expensive, an hourly rate is the cheapest type of rate to choose if you have a case which will not require a lot of time. If that changes somewhere in the middle, then you will pay a lot, and so it’s important to examine your case.

On the other hand, if your South Bend DWI lawyer charges a single fixed fee, then that is the best type of rate for your to select if you have a case which has higher stakes, like if you have a DWI from a car crash. The fixed rate comes with two possibilities, either a single rate for all services, or a split fee for defense and preparation.