Billing

Transparent and Cost-Effective Legal Services

At Paine Edmonds LLP, we understand that navigating family law issues can be stressful, both emotionally and financially. That’s why we are committed to providing transparent, fair, and cost-effective billing practices. Our goal is to ensure you understand the costs involved in your case and feel confident that your resources are being used wisely.

How Billing Works in Family Law

In British Columbia, family lawyers are required to charge fees on an hourly basis and cannot work on a contingency basis (where fees are based on a percentage of the settlement or award). Here’s how our billing process works:

1. Retainer Fees

A retainer is an upfront payment that acts as a deposit for future legal services. It is held in a trust account and used to cover fees and disbursements as they are incurred.

The amount of your retainer depends on the complexity of your case and the estimated work required. Retainers typically range from $2,500 to $25,000.

If your retainer is depleted, you will be asked to replenish it to continue legal services.

2. Trial Retainers

If your case proceeds to trial, a trial retainer will be required at least 60 days before the trial date. This retainer is typically between $5,000 and $7,500 per day of trial.

Any unused funds from your retainer will be refunded to you once your case is resolved and all fees are paid.

How Lawyers Bill You

Hourly Billing: Lawyers at Paine Edmonds LLP bill in 6-minute increments (0.1 hours), ensuring you are only charged for the actual time spent on your case.

• Transparency: We provide detailed invoices that break down the time spent on each task, so you always know how your retainer is being used.

• No Minimum Billing: Unlike some firms, we do not charge a minimum time increment (e.g., 12 minutes) for short tasks like reading emails or taking phone calls.

Additional Costs

In addition to legal fees, your case may involve other costs, including:

• Disbursements: Out-of-pocket expenses incurred on your behalf, such as court filing fees, courier services, photocopying, and long-distance calls.

• Significant Disbursements: Costs for services like medical reports or mediation may need to be paid directly by you to avoid depleting your retainer.

• Taxes: All fees and disbursements are subject to applicable taxes.