Fees & Payments

• Personal Injury Cases
• Criminal Defense Cases
• Family Law Cases
• Immigration Cases Fee Schedule
• Lawsuit Costs
• How to Keep Your Legal Costs Down

Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis (no money paid by client unless the client has prevailed in the litigation). Free case assessment and initial conference.

Florida Supreme Court fee schedule for contingency fee cases:

1. Before the filing of an answer or the demand for appointment of arbitrators or, if no answer is filed or no demand for appointment of arbitrators is made, the expiration of the time period provided for such action:
   1. 33 1/3% of any recovery up to $1 million; plus
   2. 30% of any portion of the recovery between $1 million and $2 million; plus
   3. 20% of any portion of the recovery exceeding $2 million.
2. After the filing of an answer or the demand for appointment of arbitrators or, if no answer is filed or no demand for appointment of arbitrators is made, the expiration of the time period provided for such action, through the entry of judgment:
   1. 40% of any recovery up to $1 million; plus
   2. 30% of any portion of the recovery between $1 million and $2 million; plus
   3. 20% of any portion of the recovery exceeding $2 million.
3. If all defendants admit liability at the time of filing their answers and request a trial only on damages:
   1. 33 1/3% of any recovery up to $1 million; plus
   2. 20% of any portion of the recovery between $1 million and $2 million; plus
   3. 15% of any portion of the recovery exceeding $2 million.
4. An additional 5% of any recovery after institution of any appellate proceeding is filed or post-judgment relief or action is required for recovery on the judgment.

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Criminal Defense Cases

Criminal cases are handled on an hourly basis at the rate of $300 per hour. Total fee will depend on the nature of the case. The hourly rate agreement is often recommended to the client in a case where the Firm anticipates a prompt resolution of the legal matter; when it is difficult to gauge the amount of legal work required due to novel facts or legal issues; or, when the client only needs the Firm’s services on an occasionally basis.

When an hourly rate agreement is chosen the Firm requires an advance of anywhere between $2500 and $3000.

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Family Law Cases

Retaining an attorney at the firm will require an initial deposit, or “retainer” to get your attorney started on your case. The amount of the retainer will vary depending upon the your circumstances, but the average cost of a divorce case will range from $3,500 to $10,000. The specific amount depends on your unique situation and the amount of conflict that exists between the parties involved. The best way to determine how much your case could cost and to learn more about the actions you can take to reduce your potential legal fees is to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.

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Immigration Cases Fee Schedule

Immigration cases are handled based on a flat fee schedule with the pre-payment for legal services. Please contact our office to find out the fee for your case.

• B-1 / B-2 Visa
• H-1B Visa
• H-4 Visa
• L-1 Intra-Company Transferee Visa
• E-3 Treaty Professional Visa for Australian Nationals
• TN Visa for Canadian Professionals
• K-1 Fiance Visa
• Permanent Residence (Green Card)
• Naturalization and Certification of Citizenship Cases
• Other Immigration Cases/Services

• B-1 / B-2 Visa

  B-1 / B-2 Visa – Renewal or Change of Status:
  1. Attorney Fee: $800
  2. USCIS Fee: $290

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• H-1B Visa

  H-1B Visa Petition – New:
  1. Attorney Fee: $1,900
  2. USCIS Fee: $825 to $3,325
  H-1B Visa Petition – Transfer:
  1. Attorney Fee: $1,900
  2. USCIS Fee: $825 to $3,325
  H-1B Visa Petition – Renewal / Extension:
  1. Attorney Fee: $1,900
  2. USCIS Fee: $325 to $2,825
  H-1B Visa Petition – 2nd Concurrent:
  1. Attorney Fee: $1,900
  2. USCIS Fee: $320 to $3,320

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• H-4 Visa

  H-4 Visa Petition – New:
  1. Attorney Fee: $500
  2. USCIS Fee: $290
  H-4 Visa Petition - Renewal / Extension:
  1. Attorney Fee: $500
  2. USCIS Fee: $290

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• L-1 Intra-Company Transferee Visa

  L-1 Visa Petition – New:
  1. Attorney Fee: $2,500
  2. USCIS Fee: $825 to $1,820
  L-1 Visa Petition – Renewal / Extension:
  1. Attorney Fee: $500
  2. USCIS Fee: $325 to $1,320

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• E-3 Treaty Professional Visa for Australian Nationals

  E-3 Visa Petition – New:
  1. Attorney Fee: $700
  2. USCIS Fee: $0
  E-3 Visa Petition – Renewal:
  1. Attorney Fee: $700
  2. USCIS Fee: $325

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• TN Visa for Canadian Professionals

  TN Visa Petition – New:
  1. Attorney Fee: $700
  2. USCIS Fee: n/a
  TN Visa Petition – Renewal / Extension:
  1. Attorney Fee: $700
  2. USCIS Fee: $325

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• K-1 Fiance Visa

  K-1 Visa Petition – For the Fiance of a US Citizen:
  1. Attorney Fee: $1000
  2. USCIS Fee: $340
  K-3 Spouse Visa, K-3 Visa Petition – For the Spouse of a US Citizen:
  1. Attorney Fee: $1000 ($250 to start, $250 due upon USCIS Approval).
  2. USCIS Fee: $420

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• Permanent Residence (Green Card)

  Green Card by Marriage to a U.S. Citizen:
  1. Attorney Fee: $2,200
  2. USCIS Fee: $1,490
  Green Card through Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Victims of Abuse:
  1. Attorney Fee: $3,500
  2. USCIS Fee: $580+$1,070 (I-485)
  Green Card by National Interest Waiver:
  1. Attorney Fee: $3,500
  2. USCIS Fee: $580+$1,070 (I-485)
  Green Card for Outstanding Researchers / Professors:
  1. Attorney Fee: $3,500
  2. USCIS Fee: $580+$1,070 (I-485)
  Green card for Religious Workers:
  1. Attorney Fee: $3,200
  2. USCIS Fee: $580+$1,070 (I-485)
  Green Card for Multinational Executives and Managers & L-1A Visa Holders:
  1. Attorney Fee: $2,200
  2. USCIS Fee: $580+$1,070 (I-485)
  Green Card for Physical Therapists:
  1. Attorney Fee: $2,800
  2. USCIS Fee: $580+$1,070 (I-485)
  Green Card for Registered Nurses:
  1. Attorney Fee: $2,800
  2. USCIS Fee: $580+$1,070 (I-485)
  Adjustment of Status – I-140 Based:
  1. Attorney Fee: $1,200
  2. USCIS Fee: $1,700

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• Naturalization and Certification of Citizenship Cases

  Naturalization (must be at least 18):
  1. Attorney Fees: $1,200 or $2,000( where there are criminal issues to address)
  2. Filing Fees: $680 (N-400)
  Certification of Citizenship:
  1. Attorney Fees: $1,800
  2. Filing Fees: $600 or $550 if on behalf of an adopted minor (N-600)

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• Other Immigration Cases/Services

  Affirmative Asylum:
  1. Attorney Fees: $3,200
  2. - employment authorization is automatically granted after approval
  Defensive Asylum:
  1. Attorney Fees: $4,500
  2. - applicant must apply for employment authorization after asylum is approved
  3. - employment authorization may be requested 150 days after filing the application, unless clock is waived
  Refugee’s/Asylee’s Immediate Relatives (filed w/i 2 years of receiving status):
  1. Attorney Fees: $600
  Writ of Mandamus to Compel USCIS to Take Action on Delayed Green Card/Naturalization Case:
  1. Attorney Fees: $2,600
  2. Filing Fees: varies by jurisdiction
  Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence (filed 90 days before 2nd year of residency):
  1. Attorney Fees: $1,000(joint petition), $1,800(waiver)
  2. Filing Fees: $590(I-751)
  Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility for Immigrant Visas:
  1. Approximate processing time (12-18 mos, varies by consulate)
  2. Attorney Fees: $5,000
  3. Filing Fees: $585(I-601)
  Waiver of Inadmissibility for Non-immigrant Visas (when non-immigrant is inadmissible under 212(d)(3)):
  1. Attorney Fees: $3,000
  EAD/AP Extensions:
  1. Approximate processing time (3 mos)
  2. Attorney Fees: $300 each or $500 for both
  3. Filing Fees: $0 if I-485 was filed under current payment system $340/$305 otherwise
  AC-21 Notice of Change of Sponsoring Employer:
  1. Attorney Fees: $800
  Advisory Opinion Letters:
  1. Attorney Fees: $400

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Lawsuit Costs

No matter which of the above fee agreements is entered into between the Firm and the client, the client will always be responsible for the Firm’s costs. In a contingency fee case, the Firm will typically pay all costs of the lawsuit as they are incurred. These costs, however, are deducted from the settlement of judgment amount after the Firm takes its contingency fee.

The Firm’s costs in a lawsuit will typically include filing fees, service of process fees, subpoena fees, medical records fees, long distance telephone charges, photocopying, courier expenses, postage, exhibit preparation fees, doctor and expert witness fees, computerized legal research charges, travel expenses, deposition and court reporter fees, and other out of pocket expenses incurred in the investigation and prosecution of the legal matter.

For those cases that go to trial and the client prevails, the client will be able to “tax” some of these costs against the defendant. This means that the client (or Firm) gets reimbursed for the costs. Costs that are “taxable” against the losing party are filing fees, service of process fees, court reporter fees, expert witness fees, and depositions if used at trial.

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How to Keep Your Legal Costs Down

1. Keep your paperwork in order. When our law firm requests from you certain records (medical, immigration, or other type of documentation) it will help to keep your legal bill down if those records are well-organized and relevant. You probably do not want to have a lawyer that bills you at the rate of $300 per hour to organize your paperwork for you.
2. Be prepared to describe your legal issues and questions in a precise manner.
3. Seek professional help for emotional problems. This is a stressful and emotionally draining time for you. We can help you with the legal process and the Court system. However, your attorney is not your pastor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. It is less expensive to handle your stress by talking with a good friend, pastor, or counselor. We can provide a referral if you would like.
4. Be honest with your attorney. We need to know the good and bad points about your case. If we know the worst possible things that will come up, we can prepare ahead of time to deal with them. That will save you money in the long run.
5. Notify your attorney of your travel plans as far in advance as possible. Re-scheduling of various hearings and depositions due to your unexpected absence can increase your legal bill.
6. Don’t call your attorney with irrelevant or simple questions that have nothing to do with your case. Keep in mind that all your communications with your lawyer are billable time. If you have a simple question that can easily be answered by a simple online search, then probably it is not the smartest financial decision to contact your lawyer about it.
7. Have reasonable and realistic expectations. If during your litigation you encounter an opportunity to settle your case for a reasonable amount, be realistic in what you expect out of this case. Listen to the advice of your attorney. Just because you feel that you are entitled to a certain amount in damages, it does not mean that you will actually win the case at trial or that the jury will award you what you feel you are entitled to. Sometimes it is not in your best interest to have your case go to trial. You should always keep in mind that trial involves very high costs that will be subtracted from your recovery (if you prevail) in addition to your lawyer’s fees.

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