Fees for legal services are generally billed on an hourly basis . In most situations, an hourly rate is the only practical method of billing due to the fact that it is often impossible to determine in advance, the time that will be necessary to conclude a particular legal matter. What may begin as a relatively simple situation can change into a more complex case requiring time above and beyond the client's initial perception. At a client's initial consultation, every effort is made to make an honest assessment of the issues involved and to offer a range of likely fees that can be anticipated.

In personal injury cases and worker's compensation matters, clients have the option of an hourly fee or entering into a contingent fee agreement. Most clients choose to elect to obtain representation in these matters on a contingency, which provides that the attorney earns a fee only after the client has obtained a monetary recovery by either settlement or order. The percentage fee varies based upon the type of case and other factors.

In limited circumstances, flat fee billing is offered in the area of no asset bankruptcy cases, document preparation such as Deeds and Power of Attorney, as well as simplified Will preparation. An assessment of whether flat fee billing is appropriate can be discussed at an initial consultation.

An initial conference with a new client to discuss any legal matter within Attorney Garner's area of expertise, is offered free of charge. This meeting is designed to review generally, whether legal representation is indeed warranted and to consider whether you and Attorney Garner would feel comfortable working together on your particular issue or case.

In certain circumstances, clients wish to have reviewed previously prepared legal documents, stipulations and proposed agreements involved in pending litigation and discuss other matters which go beyond what can normally be accomplished in an initial "free consultation". In these situations, clients will be billed for the time involved on an hourly basis.

For those established clients with new legal matters requiring attention, billing will be based upon an hourly, fixed or contingent fee basis, depending upon circumstances.

Court filing fees, sheriff's fees, costs of depositions and other document retrieval expenses, are charged in addition to legal fees that may be involved in any particular legal matter. These additional costs will be discussed as soon as possible in advance to the extent foreseeable. In certain contingent fee cases, these costs may be advanced on your behalf by Attorney Garner.