Compare the agreement, not a stereotype
“Hourly” and “contingency” are broad labels. Two agreements with the same label can produce different costs because they define the scope, expenses, percentage changes, retainers, and ending terms differently. This worksheet turns selected written terms into arithmetic so you can identify questions; it cannot replace reading the entire agreement.
Hourly scenario
The simple hourly illustration multiplies a rate by estimated billable hours and adds separately entered expenses. Real bills may include different rates for lawyers and support staff, minimum billing increments, travel time, research services, copies, experts, filing fees, or a retainer that must be replenished. Estimated hours are often the least certain input.
Flat-fee scenario
A flat fee is meaningful only with a defined scope. Ask what work is included, what triggers an additional fee, whether trial or appeal is excluded, how expenses are treated, and what happens if the representation ends early. The calculator adds the entered flat fee and expenses but cannot interpret those scope terms.
Contingency scenario and deduction order
A contingency illustration needs a hypothetical gross recovery, fee percentage, expenses, and the agreement’s deduction order. If expenses are removed before the percentage is calculated, the fee base is smaller. If the percentage is calculated first, the resulting client net is different. Agreements and applicable rules control the actual method.
Do not treat the lowest displayed number as a recommendation
The scope of work, ability to pay, risk allocation, lawyer experience, expected duration, likelihood of recovery, and rules governing the matter are outside the calculation. Some fee structures are restricted or unavailable for particular matters. A lower mathematical cost under one hypothetical does not mean that arrangement is available or appropriate.
Questions to ask before signing
- Who will work on the matter and at what rates?
- What tasks and stages are included or excluded?
- Which expenses can be charged, and who owes them if there is no recovery?
- Can the percentage change at filing, trial, or appeal?
- How will settlement funds and deductions be shown on the closing statement?
- What happens to unearned funds or outstanding bills if the engagement ends?
Privacy
The scenario arithmetic runs in the browser and is not sent to a LegalCalc calculation endpoint. Do not enter client names, law-firm names, claim details, or privileged information. Only the numerical terms are needed.