General preparation information. A professional relationship begins only under the terms agreed with the lawyer or firm.
Legal and fiduciary fees may be hourly, flat, task-based, statutory, court-approved, or paid under another written arrangement.
Build the meeting agenda
- The scope, exclusions, staffing, expenses, deposits, billing intervals, and dispute process matter as much as the headline rate.
Bring evidence, not just recollections
- engagement letter, scope, rate schedule, invoices, and expense policy
- court petitions, consents, approvals, and time or task records where required
Scope, cost, and next steps
- What work is included and excluded?
- Who pays, when is approval required, and what can change the estimate?
Risks to pause on
- Comparing only a flat number without scope can make a limited service appear cheaper than a complete engagement.