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Do lawyers charge for their time if you have a question about your bill?
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Yes. The answer is always yes.Do lawyers charge for their time if -
I believe they are required to provide detailed billing as a matter of providing the service (ie free), but answering questions or resolving billing disputes could cost you.Comment
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Twice I found my lawyer had padded their hours. I called and said "I have a question about my bill, will you charge me for the time to discuss it?".
They said "no" so we talked about it. They agreed to reduce next bill.Comment
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I guess it comes down to:
Can they? Yes they likely can. Do they? That is lawyer and relationship dependant.Comment
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That is a mature and effective way to handle it, although I would be concerned about finding padding on the bill.Twice I found my lawyer had padded their hours. I called and said "I have a question about my bill, will you charge me for the time to discuss it?".
They said "no" so we talked about it. They agreed to reduce next bill.
Safest to assume yes, and be grateful if you find your bill is less than expected, as opposed to the reverse.All depends on the lawyer really.Comment
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My previous lawyer charged me for clarifying her instructions on how to send my information to her. I spoke to her about it and she changed it. Needless to say she overcharged me on so many other things---finding articles she had already read and written about--that the minor change in the bill was not an issue.
My big question that I can't get answered (and I called the Law Society) is:
are lawyers required to identify the amount of time spent on each task (this my other lawyer did do).
You do not know what you are really charged for--you just know what they did. Does anyone have the answer to this!!!!Comment
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Thanks to everyone for responses. Orleans Lawyer you made me guffaw.Comment
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