Any potential legal case gives rise to many questions. Sometimes it is best to get your questions answered before deciding on a course of action.

 It is also not uncommon to know that you need to take action, but also feel that you are not quite ready to proceed yet.

 Additionally, it is very important for you to feel comfortable with whatever attorney you choose to represent you if you are going to move forward. 

 MK offers consultations so that you can meet with her and have your questions answered before making any decisions. A consultation lasts for an hour, during which time you can bring any paperwork or court documents, and ask any questions that you have. While MK prefers to meet new clients in person, she can also arrange a video conference if necessary to accommodate you.

 You will pay the hourly fee for the consultation, which is nonrefundable, but if you decide at a later date to retain The Law Office of MK Feeney, L.L.C., this fee will be refunded to you in the form of a free billable hour. With a consultation, you can get answers to your questions and weigh your options with no pressure to proceed unless and until you are ready. 

Of course, this is one of the main questions that anyone looking to retain an attorney is going to want answered. There are certain areas of the law where the attorney will get their fee by taking a percentage of whatever amount of money you recover in the case. This is called a contingency fee. Attorneys who do personal injury cases and workers compensation cases are paid this way.

 In most other areas of the law, attorneys charge an hourly rate, which is then multiplied by the number of hours they spend on your case. The hourly rate that attorneys in Philadelphia charge can range from $250 to $600 an hour, and in some cases, even higher.

 MK is committed to helping people afford quality legal counsel, and so despite her skill and experience, her rate has remained at $250 per hour. You may wonder why you can’t just pay a flat fee.  When it comes to legal representation. flat fees are not ideal, since it is impossible to know in advance how long your case will take. There are too many variables to predict the total cost, and so an hourly fee is the best way to be fair to both the client and the attorney.  However, in some very limited cases, such as a Protection from Abuse matter, MK can charge a flat fee.

 Your case may also require additional expenses, such as fees for court filings,  service of process, video editing, expert witnesses, or investigation, just to name a few. These expenses are in addition to the hourly rate, and will be charged separately on your bill.

 MK understands that the cost of legal representation is very expensive, and so she works to resolve your case as efficiently and in the most cost-effective way possible. She will work with you.

 The Law Office of MK Feeney accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit cards, although credit cards cannot be used for the initial retainer. You will receive monthly invoices, and the amount will be deducted from the retainer in your trust account, or you can pay online by credit card and check (using eCheck) through the client portal.

When a law firm charges an hourly rate, the client is required to provide a retainer. This is a lump sum that will be deposited into a client trust account, and from which the law firm will deduct legal fees and expenses as they are billed. 

 This is not a flat fee, nor is it guaranteed to cover the total cost of your case. It is just an initial payment to get the case started. If your case takes more hours of legal work than the amount of hours that the retainer will cover, then you would have to replenish the retainer when the balance is low. If your case takes fewer hours of legal work than the amount of hours that the retainer will cover, then the balance will be refunded to you at the end of the case.

 The Law Office of MK Feeney charges an initial retainer of $2,500, which will cover ten (10) hours of legal work. The amount of the retainer may increase or decrease based upon the complexity of your case, and how long it is expected to take.

Unfortunately, this is almost impossible to answer, as it depends on so many factors, almost all of which are beyond your control or the control of your attorney.

  Here are just some of the things that will affect the time it takes to resolve your case:

 - the type of case you have, and how simple or complex it is

 - your level of conflict with the other party

 - whether or not the other party is represented by counsel

 - the court’s schedule

 MK strives to resolve your case as quickly and efficiently as possible, and will keep you fully informed as the process unfolds

The short answer is that if you want the best result, then yes, you do. Even though there is no shortage of legal information that you can research on the internet, it is important to understand that the law is complex, and extremely fact-specific. Information that you may find online is often incorrect, due to its generality, and it is no substitute for experienced legal counsel. 

 Often, people try to save money and represent themselves, only to find that they filed the wrong pleading, or were too nervous in court to be effective, or that they missed important legal issues because they had no idea that they even existed. 

 Additionally. if you are representing yourself and the other party is represented by counsel, you may find that the attorney does not want to negotiate with you the same way that they would with another attorney. This is because they know that the other attorney knows the law and knows how to try the case if it cannot be resolved,

 The stakes in these cases are high. Getting a bad result in court can take a very long time to correct, and you can save time and money by doing it right the first time and retaining an experienced attorney to represent you.