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.
Side-by-side comparison
Use the table to locate the controlling difference; then verify the governing document and state law for your facts.
| Question | Flat fee | Hourly fee |
|---|---|---|
| Price basis | Defined scope for a stated amount | Time worked at stated rates |
| Best fit | Predictable, clearly bounded work | Uncertain, disputed, or changing work |
| Main question | What is included, excluded, and considered extra? | Who bills, in what increments, and against what estimate? |
| Changes | Written change order or extra-service terms | More time generally increases fees |
| Expenses | May be included or billed separately | Usually addressed separately in the agreement |
| Evidence | Written task list and completion terms | Time entries, invoices, staffing, and budget updates |
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.