Keys to Reducing your Attorney’s Fees

   Sentinel prides itself in keeping clients up to date on the status of thier case or requested service. However, if you need to contact us, here are a few considerations to help keep your bill as low as possible:
 Refrain from asking to speak to the attorney when you have a question that can be answered easily by a legal assistant or a paralegal. Over the long run, this can save the client hundreds of dollars since the assistant and paralegal hourly rate is significantly less than the attorney’s rate.

 Refrain from contacting the attorney’s office several times throughout the day. It is more cost effective to gather all documents and write down every question you have regarding your case. Since a 1 minute phone call will be charged the same as a 6 minute phone call, several calls will amount to a greater fee than one phone call that lasts a bit longer. Remember we bill in .1 increments which is a 6 minute increment.

 Refrain from sending numerous faxes, e-mails, and any other correspondence. The same charges considered for telephone calls are applicable to faxes, e-mails, and correspondence. Send the information by grouping it together in one document.

 Before calling the office about a letter or document you have received please read over the document carefully. At times the impulse is to call the attorney’s office to explain why a certain document was sent when the answer lies in the document itself.

 When dates for hearings, depositions, or mediations are made over the telephone with the legal assistant ensure that you have a calendar to confirm you are available that date. Having to cancel a hearing and rescheduling will significantly increase billing charges. Costs to telephone opposing counsel, the JA, client, and mailing new notices are billed to the client in the event of a cancellation.

 

If you are contacted to come into the office and sign a document, please read over the copy of the document that has been mailed to you prior to your meeting. Reading it at the time of the signing will only make the duration of the meeting longer and thereby increase the amount you are billed.

 Do not make any unscheduled visits to the office. The attorney may have an appointment scheduled and may not be able to speak with you, but nevertheless the time spent speaking with assistants while they determine what your needs are will be billed. 

If you choose to disregard these suggestions, this office will nevertheless handle your requests in a courteous manner. We are always happy to assist you, but please note that you will be billed.