RI Divorce Lawyer Fees: What You Need to Know

Fee agreements should be thoroughly discussed at the initial meeting with your lawyer or mediator.  Of course you want to feel comfortable with your lawyer and be sure that you and your lawyer or mediator feel comfortable together.  Further, the terms of the fee agreement should be clearly set out so there is no misunderstandings later.

The RI Rules of Professional Conduct indicate that the fee agreement:

• should be in writing;
• must be signed by the client
• must be reasonable
• should detail how fees are to be charged;
• should indicate whether any portion is refundable;
• should set out the hourly rate;
• should set out the procedure for billing, including for costs incurred in prosecuting or defending your matter;
• should set out if interest is charged, and the rate, for overdue bills.