What Should I Do If My Lawyer And I Disagree About My Legal Fees?

When you first met with your attorney to discuss your case, you were probably asked to read and sign a fee agreement. Fee agreements describe the costs that are associated with legal representation, and most attorneys require their clients to sign them before they provide any legal services on their behalf. As you read through the fee agreement, you may have thought that you understood it. It is also possible that there were a few things in there that you did not really understand. If that was the case, you may have signed the agreement without asking any questions, just to get your case underway.

If you thought that having a signed fee agreement would help you understand what you would pay for legal services, you might be surprised when you receive a bill from your attorney (that does not seem to align with what you thought that you read in the fee agreement). When this happens, you may wonder what you should do. Should you just pay the bill so that the attorney will continue working on your case? Should you ask the attorney for an explanation of some or all of the charges that you do not understand? If the bill seems clear, but you believe that there is an error, should you just come right out and tell them so? Talking about money can be uncomfortable, even in our most intimate relationships. It is no surprise that clients are often reluctant to ask their attorneys to help them understand their legal bills.

If you do not understand your lawyer’s bill or you think that there has been a mistake, you should bring it to your lawyer’s attention. Lawyers are just like everyone else, and they sometimes make mistakes. Do not be afraid to ask for an itemized bill and a copy of your file, so that you can examine the issue thoroughly. If a mistake has been made, a good lawyer will acknowledge it and will recalculate your bill so that it is accurate. If the bill is correct but you do not understand the charges even after rereading your fee agreement, a good lawyer will take the time to help you understand them. Of course, fee-related questions are not always addressed by attorneys in ways that are satisfactory to their clients. Sometimes, an attorney and their client are unable to agree about how to resolve a dispute over legal fees.

Fortunately, you have some options when it comes to dealing with disputes over legal fees. In Tennessee, many local bar associations have Fee Dispute Committees which handle complaints from clients regarding allegedly excessive fees. Fee Dispute Committees are often successful in helping attorneys and their clients resolve fee disputes. If such a Committee is available in your area, this may be a good way to work through the dispute efficiently. Another option for addressing a fee dispute with your attorney is through court action, just as you would handle a dispute over the value of services with a contractor or other professional.

If you feel as though you have been overcharged for legal services, the seasoned Tennessee legal malpractice attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC are here to help you. We will answer all of your questions, explain your options, and help you decide how to proceed. To learn more, call us at (888) 470-9143 to schedule a time to discuss your case. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.

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