Fees and Expenses
1. Explain the rates you charge and any particular billing methods you use, such as hourly, fixed fee and contingency?
The current hourly rate for all attorneys is $325. Most work is performed on an hourly basis. However, certain matters such as document revisions and assessment liens are done for a fixed fee. Rates are subject to change with advance notice. There are no annual retainer fees required.
2. Will you provide a fixed fee quote, if requested?
Yes, however we do not offer a boiler plate retainer. We prefer to discuss your specific needs with you so that we can customize a retainer for your Association. However, our clients have found our hourly billing practices to be fair and reasonable and presently no Associations have a retainer.
3. Who will be working on Association matters?.
General Association matters will be handled by attorneys Richard D. DeBoest, II, Susan M. McLaughlin, Diane M. Burnside, Jason R. Himschoot, and Chené M. Thompson.
4. Is there a minimum time unit used in making time charges (e.g., .1, .25)?
Yes. All time is billed in one-tenth of an hour increments (i.e. 6 minutes equals .1).
5. What out-of-pocket expenses do you bill for and how are these determined?
All direct hard cost expenses, including postage, are passed through to the client without markup. We do not charge for fax transmissions, reasonable numbers of copies, or domestic long-distance phone calls.
6. Do you bill for travel time and if so, how and at what rate?
No, we do not bill for travel time in Southwest Florida.
7. Do you provide any “free” or no charge services? If so, what?
Yes. We provide free legal updates regarding applicable changes in the law, as well as workshops and seminars on various topics.
8. Do you ever waive or reduce attorney fees? If so, under what circumstances?
Yes. We will consider reducing our attorney fees when appropriate, depending on the circumstances. Each case is different. Therefore, it is very difficult to state exactly under what circumstances we will consider reducing our fees.
9. Do you bill for calls from owners?
No, not unless the Board of Directors has authorized us to speak to the owner or the owner is calling to discuss a pending matter which we have contacted the owner about, such as a covenant enforcement issue. However, in cases of unsolicited owner calls, we accept the call and explain respectfully that we do not have authorization to bill or to speak to the owner and explain that they should contact the Board or Property Manager directly regarding the matter.
10. Do you implement any procedures to control fees and costs in litigation matters?
Yes. In analyzing every case, consideration is given to the potential for attorney fees and costs. Depending on the case, we will limit discovery and other matters in order to keep attorney fees to a minimum.
11. We don’t really have a lot of money for legal fees. How can we maximize the money we spend?
In order to reduce the money you spend on attorney fees, it is our recommendation that the Board Members educate themselves by reading their governing documents as well as various community association publications. Many of the answers to the questions commonly asked by Board can be found in the governing documents, and if the Board takes it upon itself to completely understand its governing documents, it can avoid unnecessary questions to the attorney and thereby minimize fees.
Serving all of Southwest Florida including: Counties of Lee, Collier,
Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades. Cities of Fort Myers, Cape
Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, and LaBelle.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
