Determination Of Fees

The Law Office of John Hutto is committed to provideing the highest quality of legal service to individuals and businesses throughout Alabama at an affordable rate. Often our rates are 30-40 percent less than comparable services at large law firms.We are able to do this because of our size, use of technology, and lower overhead expense than that of the larger firms.We realize that in todays environment both individuals and businesses are seeking to get the best guality legal service possible at the most affordable rate. We are committed to keeping our services high and our overhead cost low in order to provide our clients with high quality legal services at an affordable rate. At the Law Office of John Hutto, we offer our clients a variety of payment options, the most recent of which is the ability to pay for legal servives online via PayPal. Below is a discussion of the different types of legal fees and how they are computed. We hope the following will aid you in understanding the types fees and expenses involved in typical legal services.

 Legal Fees are based on such factors on the degree of difficulty of a particular legal task, the amount of time involved, the experience and skill of the attorney, and the Firm's overhead. The Firm's overhead includes rent, equipment, salaries, maintenance of a library, and costs associated with maintaining professional skills and education. The firm's overhead can comprises approximately 35 to 50 percent of the legal fees charged.

The Firm's services normally involve research, investigation and case preparation. At the initial meeting, the Firm will discuss the time anticipated to resolve the case, the difficulties likely to be encountered, and the complexity of the legal issues in the particular case. The attorney/client relationship involves a mutual commitment. Both parties have a need from the outset to have a full and complete understanding of the commitment.

RETAINERS

Under the Rules of Professional Conduct for the legal profession, the Firm is prohibited from engaging in frivolous lawsuits. Therefore, the Firm will usually require a cost deposit or retainer before we take a case. A retainer is an advance on legal fees to be charged in the future. A cost deposit is different from the attorney's fees to be charged in a case. Cost deposits are used to cover expenses such as filing fees, deposition costs, expert fees and other expenses. The Firm may ask for additional monies if the costs or time incurred exceed the original deposit or retainer.

HOW TO HOLD DOWN LEGAL COSTS

Before meeting with the Mr. Hutto: Gather all information together in a logical order. Be sure you have current correct telephone numbers and addresses of key individuals and witnesses, if applicable. Prepare a written statement of your problems and what you want done. Make photocopies of everything for Mr. Hutto. Mr. Hutto will let you know if originals are needed.

During your initial consultation : Present an overall view of your position. Share all relevant information, let Mr. Hutto decide what is not in your favor. It is much better for Mr. Hutto to know everything, rather than be surprised later.

After the matter is accepted: Gather your thoughts before calling the Mr. Hutto. Make notes to yourself on the matter and issues which you want to discuss with the Mr. Hutto.

Convenient payment options:

For your convenience the Law Office of John Hutto is pleased to accept a variety of payment options including checks and the option of paying with Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card, and American Express through LawPay: Please note if payingvia credit card, payment is due immediately prior to the scheduled consultation. If after the initial consultation, you elect to retain Mr. Hutto to represent your initial retainer is discounted in the amount of the consultation fee. Although you may reserve a consultation date immediately, you are not required to pay for the consultation until the day of the consultation. You may fill out an authorization to charge your consultation to your credit card prior to the consultation and the charge will be submitted on the day of the consultation or you may pay on line via the LawPay link below on the day of the consultation. { Scroll down to see the LawPay link }. keep in mind that the consultation fee is often tax deductible as part of professional expense. You should consult with a tax professional to discuss the possibility of deducting your legal

What is LawPay

The following is a description of LawPay services according to the LawPage website.

"The LawPay program is a custom card acceptance solution for attorneys, developed with the input of our bar association partners and their ethics committees. It is critical for attorneys to handle credit card transactions between their trust and operating accounts correctly. LawPay meets the requirements for the American Bar Association and most state trust account guidelines, as well as the Attorney’s Professional Code of Conduct.

LawPay not only separates your funds, it protects the attorney trust account from all 3rd party access. We restrict the ability of all other banking institutions from debiting monies from an attorney trust or IOLTA account. As a result, LawPay is the only merchant service provider recommended exclusively by 34 states and 49 city and metropolitan bar associations .

LawPay is the proven solution for attorneys nationwide

• Accept all major credit cards from your clients
• Ability to separate earned and unearned fees in compliance with most state and ABA guidelines
• Processing fees are deducted only from your operating account
• 100% protection of Trust or IOLTA account. No debits are allowed from IOLTA

LawPay's unique processing program correctly separates earned and unearned fees in compliance with ABA and State guidelines. That is why LawPay is exclusively endorsed and recommendedby 34 state and 49 local bar associations ."