1. Making Appointments. When a client desires a meeting with his/her lawyer, it is important to call the support staff first and make an appointment. While our lawyers will try to make time for clients who just stop by the law office, having an appointment will ensure clients the attention from their lawyer that they deserve. Often times, although in the office, a lawyer may be busy preparing for a hearing or meeting a deadline, requiring the lawyer's full attention.
2. Office Assistants/Paralegals. Our support staff is employed to assist the lawyers in better responding to inquiries in a timely manner. The support staff is capable of answering many client questions but cannot provide legal advice.
3. Attorney Fees. Depending on the type of case and the agreement into which the client and lawyer enter, we may use a straight hourly rate, a contingent fee arrangement or a combination of both known as a "hybrid" fee arrangement. Straight hourly rates are used in most cases and, with only very limited exceptions, such as collecting an existing money judgment, all family law cases. Each lawyer's hourly rate is established according to his or her experience, reputation, type of law and other factors as allowed by the Bar. Attorney fees accumulate when a lawyer is working on any task associated with a case or legal matter. Keep in mind that the attorney-client relationship is not established until both the lawyer and client sign a written fee agreement.
4. Costs. In addition to attorney and paralegal fees, clients are also responsible for costs associated with their legal case. Such costs range from very minor to very substantial. Billing statements will reflect charges for court filing fees, subpoena issuance charges, long distance telephone calls, faxes, couriers, copy charges, postage, computerized legal and other research, court reporters/deposition fees, fees of expert witnesses and consultants, travel expenses and all other expenses incurred on a client's behalf. We reserve the right to request advance payment of costs from clients.
5. Account Payment. We bill on a monthly basis and payment is due upon receipt of the invoice. We add a late payment charge of 1 ½ % per month (18% per year) to account balances not paid within 30 days from the date of invoice. Like other businesses, law firms cannot continue to supply services when an account is delinquent. Unpaid accounts are subject to the same reasonable collection procedures used by other businesses. In addition, a client's failure to pay his/her account may force us to withdraw from a case.
6. Fee Advances. An advance fee payment is required in nearly all hourly billing cases. The fee advance is kept in a trust account and is withdrawn as earned. Thus, over time, your billing statement will reflect the reduction of your original fee advance amount. In some cases, the fee advance will be quickly depleted and in others, it will last for quite some time. Advanced fees may be also used to pay costs on clients' behalf.
7. File Retention Policy. Following the conclusion of your legal case, we agree to retain your file for at least two (2) years after which we may destroy it. We will provide you originals or copies of any documents or other items in your file upon your request. Because we provide copies of documents throughout our legal representation, we may charge clients for additional copies.
8. Additional Legal Information. Additional legal information is available for clients on our various web-based endeavors. Please keep in mind that the information provided on the web by us might not apply to your particular legal case, as each set of circumstances is different. Moreover, please do not take legal action based on information we publish on the web but instead use the information as a starting point for a discussion with your assigned attorney. Our web-based information may be found at the following Internet addresses:
a. www.wilcoxlegal.com -- our general website includes information on a variety of legal issues, including business law, collections/creditor rights, family law/divorce and employment law.
b. www.arizonacollectionslawyer.com -- a commercial collections website that includes information useful to both businesses and individuals, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, recent court decisions, creditor rights and helpful links and other information.
c. arizonafamilylaw.blogspot.com -- a "weblog," otherwise known as a "blog" or sometimes, in the legal field, as a "blawg," done in "Q & A" format that addresses family law issues, including divorce, paternity, legal separation, annulment, property division, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance (alimony) and other family law-related issues.
9. Questions. Please first direct billing inquiries to the attorney representing you. You may be directed to a partner for further information.
