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Law Society of Saskatchewan Understanding Legal Fees
Understanding Legal Fees
Before hiring a legal professional, ask how much it will cost and how you will pay. Make sure you understand the fee arrangement. A legal professional should give you bills (invoices) showing the work they performed and what you are being charged for. How often you get these bills and how detailed they are will depend on what you agreed on with the legal professional. There are options available for people who can afford legal help and for those who cannot.
There is no set price for legal services. The cost can depend on how much time your matter takes, how complicated your legal problem is, the legal professional’s experience, and if the matter went to court.
Tips to help keep legal costs down include:
- Be organized and ready for any meetings
- Give clear instructions and think carefully before deciding how you want your legal professional to proceed (changing your instructions after work has started can increase costs)
- Listen to your legal professional’s advice about what you can realistically achieve compared to the costs
- Ask about alternative fee arrangements
- Consider limited scope legal services or legal coaching, if the option is right for you
You can also ask the legal professional what you can do to minimize the costs.
Some legal professionals offer alternative ways to pay (alternative fee arrangements) that rely on a mix of fee types or a payment plan. This may include flat fees, subscriptions, or other agreed payment methods that provide more flexibility and cost predictability. Use the Find Legal Assistance Directory to find legal professionals who offer alternative fee arrangements. Learn about how to search the directory: Find Legal Assistance Search Guidance.
If you are concerned about affording legal help, be sure to talk to prospective legal professionals about fee and payment options, including limited scope legal services which can help make legal services more affordable.
Legal Expense Insurance may be an option with your home or other insurance policies. Inquire with your insurance broker in advance. Legal Expense Insurance can provide access to a helpline and coverage for some of the costs related to legal matters.
Those unable to afford legal assistance may contact Legal Aid Saskatchewan, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, or Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City (CLASSIC) to determine their eligibility for free legal assistance. Limited scope legal services or legal coaching are also an option. Visit Find Options for Legal Assistance to learn more about options for legal assistance in Saskatchewan.
Learn more about Legal Fees at the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan website.