Our Billing Practices
We understand that legal work can be expensive and that many people are very worried about how they will pay for a lawyer. Therefore, our billing practices are responsive to the needs of our clients.
How do I know what services I am being billed for?
To keep you informed about the services you are being billed for, Crossroads Law provides a Statement of Account each month, or upon the completion of a significant task, particularly in instances where you've retained the lawyer under a flat rate, unbundled legal services, or legal coaching agreement. The Statement of Account provides a comprehensive, item-by-item summary of all the work done on your case, including a detailed breakdown of the time spent, recorded in 6-minute increments (displayed on your bill as 0.1 of an hour).
Transparency is vital in our professional relationship. If you have any questions about your Statement of Account or the charges therein, we encourage you to contact us directly.
Billing FAQ
You can ask for a cost estimate for your case, but due to the unpredictable nature of legal matters, it's not guaranteed.
We prioritize making legal services cost-effective and tailored to individual needs. Whether through full representation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative divorce, or our unique flat-rate offerings, we have solutions designed for every budget. Our team bills transparently in 6-minute increments, and with our additional legal coaching options from Crossroads Law and our sister firm, Coach My Case, you're empowered with self-representation support every step of the way.
Disbursements are additional expenses separate from lawyer fees incurred by Crossroads Law while handling your case. These include postage, court filing fees, expert reports, and travel expenses. They appear on your bill and vary based on your case's complexity.
At Crossroads Law, we typically request a retainer and possible credit card authorization before starting your case. The retainer, a deposit held in trust, covers your legal costs and varies based on case complexity. If bills arise, we charge your card first, and if unsuccessful, we use the retainer and ask for a top-up. For trials, an additional retainer might be required. Unused retainer funds are returned post-case.
Crossroads Law offers multiple payment options for client convenience, including Visa, MasterCard, ETransfers, direct deposit, secure online payments via Clover, cheques, and limited cash payments (up to $7,500 due to Law Society regulations).
