Yes, we always strive to work with our clients on payment terms which take into account the upcoming services that need to be performed on the case.  We will assess the overall direction of your case and attempt to break down estimated costs into something you can manage.  Depending on the circumstances of your case, we may be able to break up the initial engagement retainer fee into payments over a period of time.  However, the cost of trial and hearing settings, and mediations, are normally due in advance of the date of trial, hearing or mediation.  In addition, out-of-pocket costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, mediator fees, and subpoena costs, must typically be paid up-front. 

The amount of the engagement (retainer) fee is dependent on the circumstances of your case, specifically: 1) the amount of work and time which will need to be devoted to your case immediately, or in a short period of time, after you retain us, 2) whether a contested hearing or trial is likely to be necessary, and 3) the out-of-pocket expenses we are likely to incur in the short term as we work on your case.  Depending on those circumstances, the amount of the engagement fee could range anywhere between $1,500.00 and $10,000.00.  But a “typical” engagement fee (when a contested hearing is scheduled, or likely to be, within a few weeks of you retaining us) is between $3,500.00 and $5,000.00.  At your initial consultation, we will evaluate the facts of your case and determine the appropriate engagement fee, including payment terms.  We will also give you a projected assessment of future costs based upon our experience, taking into account all the circumstances of your case.

We provide you with detailed billing information on a periodic basis, including a description of the service which was provided, the date of the service, the amount of time utilized, and the rate at which the service was billed (each attorney and paralegal has a different rate for their work).  Our services are deducted from your engagement (retainer) fee (including any out-of-pocket fees or court costs which were paid by the firm on your behalf).  When your engagement fee payment is exhausted (or nearly so), we will discuss what work will need to be done on the case in the short term, and we will ask you to make a payment to cover that immediately-upcoming phase of the case.  WE DO NOT require clients to consistently maintain a minimum sum of money on their account (a practice often referred to as an “evergreen retainer”).

The answer is: “It depends”. Are we talking about a trial or a temporary order hearing? Is there a true emergency situation that has be addressed?

If there is a true emergency situation (requiring a restraining order or protective order) you will likely have a hearing within 14 days.

If there is NOT a true emergency, you will likely be able to have a temporary order hearing within 5 to 6 weeks (depending on the particular court your case is in - different courts move their dockets at different speeds).

As for a trial, that is much harder to say - since it depends significantly on what issues have to be addressed in your case. But, about the fastest you will be able to get any kind of final trial scheduled in Collin County is approximately 6 months from the date you file your case (but that’s the fastest - it would not be surprising for it to take longer). We also sometimes handle cases in other counties and, in our general experience, it will take longer to get a final trial setting in Dallas County than in Collin County, but Denton County’s dockets move at a fairly similar pace to Collin County’s.