Howard Law Office
PRICING AND TERMS

  

THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR ATTORNEY REGARDING YOUR INDIVIDUAL LEGAL CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.


WILLS*

Single Individual*

$300

Couples**

$400


*All will packages include:  wills, durable powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney and living wills, assignment of rights and burial Decree, and a transfer on death deed for the primary residence if needed.

** This price is for basic will provisions. Specialized provisions will add $25 to $75 depending on provisions.


TRUSTS


The pricing of trust is more complicated, however, on average a basic trust plan begins at $1,500 which also includes the items in a will package. Trust plans can be as high as $3,500 depending on complexity and issues involved.


GENERAL LEGAL DOCUMENT PREPARATION

Durable or Limited Power of Attorney

$75

Healthcare Power of Attorney

$35

Living Will

$25

Assignment of Rights and Burial Decree

$85

Deeds

$75 plus recording fees

Leases/Purchase Contracts

$100 - $750

LLC/Partnership/Corporation Formation

$500 - 1,200 plus filing fees

Automobile Titles

$7.50

Notary Service

$1.00 (free with documents we draft)

Affidavits

$50 - $500


PROBATE


This area involves the administration of estates and legal fees are determined by each court and usually is tier based given the amount of the estate. Filing fees are separate and depend on the court you are before.


ADOPTION


The general cost is $1,500 but can be higher and is subject to application and approval by each court. Filing fees are separate and depend on the court you are before.


GUARDIANSHIP


The general cost is $1,500 but can be higher and is subject to application and approval by each court. Filing fees are separate and depend on the court you are before.


CIVIL LITIGATION


This area encompasses several areas of law and essentially involves any lawsuit in a civil court. On these cases I require a retainer for legal fees and costs. The quotes below are for retainers only and are general in nature and specifics will be determined on a case by case basis.

 

Small Claims

Municipal

Common Pleas

Probate

Federal

Fee Retainer*

$500

$500-$700

$750 - $5,000

$750 - $5,000

$2,500 - $7,500

Cost Retainer

$100

$200

$500

$500

$1,000

Bonds**

Varies

Varies

Varies

Varies

Varies


* In small claims court the retainer is the total legal fees charged. In municipal court the retainer is billed against at a rate of $200.00 per hour to a maximum of $3,500.00. The total legal fees on your case should not exceed this amount in these two categories.

** Required when injunctive relief is sought.


CRIMINAL, JUVENILE, TRAFFIC, & DUI/OVI

Traffic

Misdemeanor

Felony 4th & 5th Degree

Felony 3rd Degree

Felony 2nd Degree

Felony 1st Degree

Fee Retainer*

$750 - $1,500

$750 - $1,500

$1,500 - $2,000

$2,000 - 3,000

$2,500 - $7,500

$5,000 - $10,000

Cost Retainer

$100

$100

$150

$250

$1,000

$1,500

Additional Retainer Increments**

$500

$500 - $700

$750 - $1,000

$1,000

$2,000

$10,000


* This covers legal fees through a motion to suppress; and/or pretrial which ever comes later.

** These increments represent any legal fees beyond the retainer and must be paid before further work begins.

DOMESTIC RELATIONS, DIVORCE, AND FAMILY LAW

Dissolution

Divorce-non contested

Divorce- contested

Post-Decree

Fee Retainer*

$1,200 - $1,500

$1,500 - $1,800

$2,000 - $3,000

$1,500 - $3,000

Cost Retainer**

$300

$300

$300

$300

Cost Retainer with children**

N/A

$500

$500

$500


* The retainers are billed against at a rate of $200 per hour. Thereafter, the client will be billed monthly. There are no limits to legal fees for divorce as it is directly related to the level of disagreement or contention between the parties.

** This includes initial filing fees, however additional fees are billed as they are incurred. Additionally filing fees involving divorce by publication vary depending on the court.