Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Law

This Frequently Asked Questions section is intentionally written in non-legal language.  There is a copy of the actual Fee Structure and Retainer Agreement available for your review under Fee Structure; however, this section attempts to explain it in less "legal" language.

Animal Law is a growing field.  Please see our "Your know you need an Animal Law Attorney if...." page to see why you need the help of an Attorney in situations such as Dog Bites, Dangerous Dog Statutes, Pet Seizure, Wrongful Death, and Product Liability.

Most Animal Law cases will take from 5 to 25 hours, depending on the complexity of the case, and are charged at $150 per hour.  A Retainer Fee (ranging from $500 to $1,500, depending on the complexity of the case) is paid by you to Animal Law Attorneys, LLC, when your hire the firm.  Keep in mind, though, no two cases are the same; and a complex case might require more hours than a less complex Animal Law case. 

It is impossible to predict exactly how much time your case might take, but the Attorneys will work with you and keep your budget  in mind while working on your case, and consult with you regularly regarding the legal fees.  Legal fees and costs are billed monthly to clients.

A Retainer Fee is a fee that you pay up front.  The fee is deposited into a special bank account, and is used to pay your legal fees and costs as those fees are earned by the firm.

The Retainer Fee, could be equated to a Deposit on your legal services.  For more detailed information, please read the Retainer Agreement; however this page is used to help answer Frequently Asked Questions.  You should not sign for or agree to legal representation if you do not have a good understanding of the Fees Structure and the Retainer Agreement.

Hourly legal fees are paid to Animal Law Attorneys, LLC, regardless of the outcome of your case.  It is an attorney's obligation to vigorously present your case and to represent you to the fullest extent possible whether in settlement negotiations or at trial.   If you "win" your case through settlement or trial, the firm does not receive any monies from the settlement or verdict.  All legal fees are paid on an hourly basis by  clients throughout the entirety of the case.

For example, if you are involved in a pet custody case, or in a landlord/tenant dispute, your case is more likely about your legal rights, not about suing someone for monetary damages.  This means that the Attorneys will work on your behalf on an hourly basis and you pay for legal services by the hour.

Animal Law Attorneys, LLC, requires an initial consultation fee of $125 before accepting your case. This consultation fee is paid for legal services in reviewing the facts and issues of your case and providing an opinion as to the strengths and weaknesses of your case.

Yes, legal fees are payable on a monthly basis without regard to the outcome of the case.

That type of payment for legal services is called a Contingent Fee.   Animal Law Attorneys, LLC does not take cases on a contingency fee basis.

Animal Law Attorneys, LLC understands that you may not have unlimited funds with which to pursue your Animal Law case. Legal fee invoices are prepared and sent to clients on a monthly basis.  When you first open your case, or at any time during representation by the firm, you can discuss options for payment of legal fees. 

No, it is impossible to make that guarantee.  If your chances of winning your case are a major factor in deciding whether or not to hire Animal Law Attorneys, LLC you should consider an Initial Consultation.  Consultations with an Attorney cost $125 per hour.

It is impossible to predict whether you will win or not.   Attorneys will discuss your case with you during a Consultation. Consultations cost $125 an hour.  After the Consultation, the Attorney will offer you insight regarding the strength of your case, while leaving the final decision to you.  Remember, though, there is no way to guarantee that you will win.

Although Animal Law Attorneys, LLC, wishes they could help everyone, the firm is not able to provide legal services for free.