Frequently Asked Questions

What factors are important when determining the type of lawyer I need?

The most important factor when hiring any lawyer is experience. Law is a vast and varied field, so finding a lawyer that's dealt with issues similar to yours, can be very important. Talent and hard work are also important factors, but can be more difficult to determine quickly. This is why it's so important to find legal representation you feel comfortable with and trust. Having faith and trust in your lawyer can make the entire legal process go smoother and less difficult.

What type of law firm should I use? Is a large firm better than a small firm?

The size of law firm you hire is not as important as the quality of the lawyer. In any type of case, it is important to hire a lawyer with the experience and legal knowledge necessary to represent you as fairly as possible. While large firms may have had an advantage in the past through access to more research and legal cases, this is no longer the case. The digital age has now made legal data readily accessible to all legal professionals, regardless of firm size.

Small firms often have the advantage of being more focused on their individual clients needs, instead of focusing on large corporate clients. Maxey Law strives to provide top-notch service to each client in a friendly and trusting environment.

Depending on experience, each attorney may charge a different hourly rate for their services. A fully earned availability retainer is charged up front for most cases. The amount will be discussed between you and the attorney at the time of your first consultation. Payment arrangements will also be discussed at this time.

What types of payment does Maxey Law accept?

We gladly accept checks, cash, money orders, as well as Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover cards.

What is a retainer fee?

Retainer fees are an agreed upon payment that is collected before work begins on a legal matter. These are collected from clients to assure payment and are kept in a trust account in the name of the client. Maxey Law typically does not "receive" the retainer fee until the payment is earned through work for the client.

Types of fees?

Usually, lawyers are compensated in one of three different ways. The first type is on a pre-determined Hourly Rate for ongoing matters. These services can include criminal defense or litigation. The second type is a Fixed Fee, which is agreed upon ahead of time for a particular service, such as bankruptcy. The third type of compensation is a Contingency Fee. This payment usually occurs in cases such as personal injury and other civil cases.

How do contingency fees work?

In some cases, like a personal injury suit or other civil cases, Maxey Law will work on behalf of a client for an agreed upon percentage of awarded recovery. In these cases, Maxey Law is only paid if the case results in a recovery to you. This type of fee allows clients that can not otherwise afford to pay an hourly rate, the opportunity to hire an experienced and qualified lawyer.