Most attorneys charge for legal services by billing the client at their hourly rates. This means that the client is charged for the amount of time an attorney or paralegal spends on their file multiplied by the attorney or paralegal’s billable rate. For example, if the attorney’s billable rate is $400.00 and the attorney spent 10 hours working on the client’s file, an attorney charging by the hour would bill the client $4,000.00 for the legal services in addition to any out-of-pocket costs, such as registration and filing costs, associated with the representation. In an hourly billing arrangement, the client generally does not know the total price for the legal services until after the work has been performed.

A flat fee billing structure is set in advance and charges a set amount that covers attorney and paralegal time and out-of-pocket costs for specific services. The benefit of a flat fee billing structure to clients is that it takes the guesswork out of the amount/price. Clients know what they are paying and for what services upfront.

At J Nichols Law, we offer flat fee options for certain types and levels of service. Whether a flat fee option is available depends on the type of services sought and on the client’s specific circumstances and objectives. In many cases, a flat fee option will cover all services sought and recommended. In some cases, a flat fee option will cover most of the services sought and an hourly fee option is available to cover any additional services or add-ons the client may request outside of the services covered by the flat fee option. In other cases, only hourly fee services may be appropriate.

At the consultation we will discuss the options with you so that you will have the information you need to make an informed decision. There is no obligation to hire us to provide services under any service option. Services for which we have flat fee options, and/or modified flat fee options available, include the following:

Estate Planning

  • Estate Planning Packages that include:
    • Last Will and Testament
    • Statutory Durable Power of Attorney
    • Medical Power of Attorney
    • HIPAA Release and Authorization
    • Directive to Physicians (a/k/a Living Will)
    • Declaration of Guardian in the Event the Need Arises
    • Declaration of Guardianship for Children (under age 18)
  • Benefits Trust
  • Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
  • Revocable Living Trust (RLT)
  • Special/Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT)
  • Warranty Deed with Reservation of Life Estate (a/k/a Ladybird Deed)
  • Qualified Income Trust (a/k/a Miller Trust)

Probate and Alternatives to Probate

  • Probate of Will as a Muniment of Title
  • Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary
  • Affidavit of Facts Concerning Identity of Heirs (a/k/a Affidavit of Heirship)

Business Formation

  • Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • Series Limited Liability Company
  • Corporation
  • Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)
  • Professional Association (PA)
  • Limited Liability Partnership
  • Family Limited Partnership

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