NSW Exorbitant fees ! Please help !

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Dancer

Active Member
12 December 2017
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I needed advice about my late Dads will, so rang the local legal firm, and was shocked when she said they charge $440 per hour! gst included!
So i said i would ring around and immediately she dropped the price to $250 + gst.!
This is the first time i have had to deal with a deceased estate, and I'm really worried I'm going to be ripped off big time.
I still intend on ringing other firms, but I'm worried, they may charge initially a cheaper price, but hit me with bigger fees on other services in relation to the estate.
How can i safeguard myself ?
I'm feeling quite overwhelmed about the whole thing.
Any advice will be very much appreciated.
 

Rob Legat - SBPL

Lawyer
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16 February 2017
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Any law firm should be providing you with a client fee agreement up front as to what their charges will be. If it's not in the fee agreement, they can't charge it. Disbursements are another matter, but they cannot be marked up.
 

Dancer

Active Member
12 December 2017
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Today i rang another law firm, they told me i can have one free appointment regardless if i continue to use their services or not.
I just need to have my questions ready....this is a good start!
I will certainly be asking for a Client fee agreement as one of my questions.
Thanks again!
 

DMQC

Well-Known Member
29 June 2016
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Good to hear Dancer, however be cautious about 'free appointments' - in my experience you will rarely get informed advice and the firms view of the appointment changes from 'How can we help you? (as in the client)' to 'Can we (the firm) make money from this?'
 
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Rod

Lawyer
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27 May 2014
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Realistically it is next to impossible to get informed advice in a one hour free appointment for a complex matter. Some general advice and tips and hints is about all you can expect.

Even with pre-prepared questions it may not be possible to get answers. Some answers may depend on undisclosed facts.
 
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Dancer

Active Member
12 December 2017
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31
Good to hear Dancer, however be cautious about 'free appointments' - in my experience you will rarely get informed advice and the firms view of the appointment changes from 'How can we help you? (as in the client)' to 'Can we (the firm) make money from this?'
Thankyou DMQC
i really appreciate your feedback. And, yes, your right, they are a business....and they're about making money after all.
 

Dancer

Active Member
12 December 2017
6
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31
Realistically it is next to impossible to get informed advice in a one hour free appointment for a complex matter. Some general advice and tips and hints is about all you can expect.

Even with pre-prepared questions it may not be possible to get answers. Some answers may depend on undisclosed facts.
Thanks Rod
At the very least, i will see if i feel comfortable dealing with the person. I have been asking friends about their experiences and recommendations too, so I'm getting some great feedback from them and this forum.
 

Rod

Lawyer
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27 May 2014
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I agree feeling comfortable with your lawyer is important. In many ways it is similar to a doctor relationship, you have to trust both to do the right thing by you.

A key difference is the Gov't pays doctors through the medicare levy, while lawyer's fees come straight out your pocket.
 
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Dancer

Active Member
12 December 2017
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So true.
It looks like the best i can do, is talk to a couple of different firms, then go with my gut feeling.