Do lawyers charge for consultations?

How lawyers price a first consultation

There is no national standard consultation fee. In practice you will meet four models:

• Free. Used as a screening meeting. Common at firms paid on contingency, because they only earn a fee if they take the case and recover money.
• Flat consult fee. A fixed price for a set block of time, often 30 or 60 minutes.
• Hourly. The meeting is billed at the lawyer's normal rate, sometimes with a minimum.
• Credited. A paid consult whose fee is deducted from your first invoice if you hire the lawyer.

Reduced-fee consults through state bar referral services

Lawyer referral services run by state bar associations match you with a participating lawyer and, in many states, cap the price of the first meeting. These are some of the fees published by the bars themselves:

Free vs. paid: what the difference usually buys

A free consult is mainly the lawyer's chance to decide whether to take you on. Expect questions about deadlines, the other party and money at stake, and a general sense of your options. A paid consult is more likely to include advice on your specific facts or a review of documents you bring, because the lawyer is being paid for that time.

Neither is a signal of quality. A free meeting is good value if you need to know whether you have a case worth pursuing. A paid meeting is good value if you need a concrete answer, such as whether to sign a contract or how to respond to a letter, and you may not need a full representation afterward.

Contingency intake calls

In injury and some employment or consumer cases, the first contact is often an intake call or form rather than a meeting. The firm screens liability, damages and insurance before agreeing to meet. If the firm takes the case, ABA Model Rule 1.5(c) calls for a written contingency agreement, signed by you, that states the percentage at each stage and whether case expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated^[13]. The same rule bars contingency fees for criminal defense and for divorce matters where the fee depends on securing the divorce or on the amount of support or property awarded^[13], so expect to pay for consultations in those areas. See contingency fees explained.

Questions to ask before and during the consult

When you book

• Is the consultation free? If not, what is the fee and how is it paid?
• How long is it, and what happens if we run over?
• Will the fee be credited toward my bill if I hire you?
• Will I meet the lawyer who would handle the case, or an intake specialist?
• What documents should I bring or send in advance?

At the end of the consult

• How would you charge for this matter: hourly, flat fee, contingency or a mix?
• What is your rate, and the rates of anyone else who would work on the file?
• What is your estimate of the total, and what could make it higher?
• Is there an advance deposit, and is the unused part refundable?
• Which costs (filing fees, service, experts) are separate from your fee?
• Is there a deadline I need to know about right now?

How to get more out of a short consult

• Write a one-page timeline with dates, names and amounts.
• Bring the key documents: contracts, letters, court papers, photos, receipts.
• Put any court papers you were served with on top, and note the date you received them.
• List your three most important questions so the time goes to them first.
• Know what outcome you want, including what you would accept to settle.

If you cannot pay for a consultation

If your household income is low, check whether you qualify for legal aid; LSC-funded programs generally serve households at or below 125% of the poverty guidelines, $19,950 for one person in 2026^[14]. ABA Free Legal Answers lets qualifying users in participating states post civil legal questions online at no cost, answered by volunteer lawyers^[15]. More options are in can I afford a lawyer?