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Kalish Law Texas

Divorce, Probate, Business Law- The Woodlands Kalish Law

(281) 363-3700
(281) 363-3700
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You are here: Home / Legal Blog / Understanding Your Legal Invoice

Understanding Your Legal Invoice

August 14, 2020 By Kalish Law Office

It is important to understand how legal services and fees are billed. Although the invoices may vary from law firm to law firm, here is some general information that can help you understand your legal invoice.

How do “services” differ from “costs”?

When you pay for legal services, you are paying for the time that your attorney and staff spend on your case. Each person who is billing for their time will have a certain hourly rate. Those rates can usually be found in your contract with your attorney.

When you pay for costs, you are paying for expenses in your case incurred by the firm for you. These costs can include filing fees, copy fees, fees to a process server, or fees for certified mail or delivery, to name a few.

Do All the Case Expenses Appear on the Invoice?

Not necessarily. The expenses that you will see appear on your invoice will generally be ones that the law office pays for you. For instance, the law firm files a petition in the court for you, and pays the filing fee. Then, they bill you for that amount. So, if the court charged the firm $380 to file a petition, and the firm paid it for you, your invoice will show that $380 as a cost in your case.

Generally, your invoice only shows the fees that the firm has paid or will pay on your behalf. If you pay expenses directly to a third party, that will not appear on your bill from the law firm. For instance, if you are involved in an adoption case, and you pay the home study provider directly, that will stay between you and that provider. You will not see that item on your invoice from the law firm, because the law firm is not involved in that payment.

Therefore, you should keep receipts from all of the payments made on your case, and keep a copy of the invoices as well. If you pay a person or facility directly, make sure you keep your receipts and invoices. It can be important for your record keeping. You will want to capture any tax benefit that may be available to you, especially when you are seeking a tax credit on a child adoption. You may also need those receipts if the money you spent is a business expense. The law firm generally has a file destruction process and does not keep records indefinitely. Therefore, you should make your own permanent file for your records as your case is completed.

Charges You Can Expect to See on Your Legal Invoice

For services- you can expect to see entries related to the time spent by the attorney and staff. Some examples include: meetings, calls emails and texts, scanning, drafting, preparing for court, preparing for and attending mediation, legal research, time spent helping you fill out discovery, organizing documents, conferences with the court staff, time spent in hearings in-person or online.

For costs – you can expect to see filing fees, service of process fees, certified and regular mail costs, delivery costs, copy costs, Qualified Domestic Relation Order costs, mediation fee paid on your behalf, apostille fees, fees for supplies (such as external hard drives), and fees for computer assisted legal research.

How to Know What to Expect & How to Help Cut Legal Expenses

  1. Read and understand the service contract between you and your lawyer when you are hiring.
  2. Review the service contract and ask whenever you have questions.
  3. Try to do your part to keep legal fees and costs lower by doing the following:
  • Stay in touch with the firm while your case is active. If you move or change contact information, inform your lawyer immediately;
  • Reply promptly to the attorney and staff when they contact you;
  • Organize your thoughts and questions so that you can deal with any pending issues in fewer (rather than multiple) phone calls or emails;
  • Take notes  for yourself so you won’t have to schedule multiple appointments or calls for a particular issue;
  • Organize and label any paperwork or files that you give to the firm to save time. (this is huge!)

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“Passionate, Professional and Personal. We Make the Difference.” Kalish Law Office has been serving businesses and families since 1984.

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Filed Under: Legal Blog Tagged With: costs in a case, family law, filing fees, how to understand my legal invoice, Kalish Law Office, legal fees, legal invoice, The woodlands lawyer, the woodlands tx

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The Woodlands, TX 77380

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Kalish Law Texas

3 Grogan's Park Dr.
Ste. 200
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Phone: 281-363-3700

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Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin
01:41 26 Feb 22
Here's some background- I'm the father of 2 fantastic kids, who’s mother is in law enforcement. I came to Sio desperate for help to modify my standard custody order in MoCo- seeking more time with my kids, more decision making authority, and the ability to hold my ex accountable to making choices that will benefit our kids and give them everything that they deserve.As a father, nobody believed this was possible. I had friends and family tell me I didn’t stand a chance. I even consulted with a different attorney once who refused my case, claiming fathers only win if there’s abuse or drugs involved. Then I found Sio…From day 1, Sio treated me as a parent- not “just a father”. Though she acknowledged that my case would be a battle, she never doubted what I was fighting for. Sio and her team were understanding and patient throughout this stressful time in my life, and took their time to help me understand the complicated family court processes. In the end, she DELIVERED. I was able to creatively modify my custody order to provide an arrangement that will truly serve my children.If you’re a good father looking to provide a good life for your kids, call Sio
Lovebug13
Lovebug13
02:37 19 Feb 22
Sio was my Lawyer her team amazing. They keep me update on any information about my case . They explained everything to me step by step. my case was successful. In any case make sure have all your documents and facts together.Thanks,Ladies and Kalish Law for all your hard work!
michelle stern
michelle stern
02:47 08 Jan 22
Sio was attentive and very responsive and supportive. I highly recommend her for any family law needs. Excellent service!
michael gordon
michael gordon
20:06 21 Dec 21
Estate planning, Last Will and Testament…Good people, professional and courteous.
Gabby Snyder
Gabby Snyder
13:36 01 Dec 21
Excellent Legal Representation, timely, efficient and very cost effective! Family based firm with strong & experienced staff of attorneys and paralegals. Mrs. Sio Petri has provided 5 star service for any of my legal needs! Our family travels from Beaumont Tx to the Woodlands because we are so impressed with this firm! Highly recommend!
Maria Colindres
Maria Colindres
01:48 01 Dec 21
I have the honor and pleasure to recommend the law firm KALISH LAW OFFICE and its incredible professional legal team. The lawyer SIO RAMIREZ PITRE is an excellent lawyer with an experience, Efficiency, responsibility, honesty and with a great professional approach that advises you at all times and In all aspects in your process, with her incredible and professional paralegal team who are constantly aware of your case in a responsible way, they are very responsible. Thank you MIRNA RAMIREZ, MAGGIE GONZALES, ADILENE RODRIGUEZ, for all your great work and legal advice and thank you Attorney SIO RAMOREZ PITRE for your dedication and commitment which exceeds all the required standards. I am more than grateful, very satisfied with your services ... May God always guide you to help all people that require your great work, it is my pleasure to give my recommendations to this great law firm Kalish Law Office and its team that is very Committed to help everyone.Thank you for all your support ..
Betty Jimenez
Betty Jimenez
22:05 12 Nov 21
Kalish Law Firm has been amazing with my legal needs.Mrs Sio Ramirez Pitre represented me for my divorce.Speacial thanks to Mrs Sio.Their team of lawyers, MR Bob Kalish and Mrs Laura Kalish as well as the entire staff, Paralegal Myrna Ramirez , Addy, and Maggie , all are efficient,,well informed,They always have the best interest in mind, the client and family in legal terms. I strongly recommend their legal skills.They will work hard for you.Thank you so much Kalish Law Firm.
Caitlyn Gambino
Caitlyn Gambino
20:06 12 Jun 21
This office was so professional, friendly, prompt, and detailed. They helped me with my issue and I will definitely contact them again for any future legal needs!
Dr Greg Alex
Dr Greg Alex
15:19 10 Jun 21
Probably the most complete and succinct law mind in the world will be working with you as they have with me. Bob Kalish He’s a consummate professional, and a winner through and through. Achieve your ends with confidence.
Marcy Halterman, D.C.
Marcy Halterman, D.C.
00:15 10 Jun 21
Kalish Law was a big help not only in aiding in the preparation to sell a business, but also with making sure all the dots were crossed for our estate planning needs. They make sure you understand everything and exhibit a true desire to make sure they have taken care of your legal needs. I recommend them highly!
Nancy Poblenz
Nancy Poblenz
22:55 06 Jun 21
Firm handled wills for my husband and me -they were knowledgable and answered all our questions very patiently. Bob Kalish and his team also advised us on need for durable power of attorney and guided us through the process of considering end of life issues such as DNR. Overall, very pleased with the service, the turnaround time for our documents was excellent and they were prepared exactly as we wanted.
L Fisher
L Fisher
00:40 21 Aug 20
I don't recommend Kalish Law to represent you in your divorce hearing. My case was dismissed for numerous reasons. Paperwork not being filed on time, and a missed notary seal. I never once received in a yr and half an invoice. After requesting a refund, her team sent me a bill for almost 8k! DO NOT HIRE THIS FIRM! My money was completely wasted. Oh let us not forget my child support was also dismissed as well. AGAIN DO NOT HIRE THIS FIRM!
Andrea Lau Luarca
Andrea Lau Luarca
21:22 28 Aug 19
I used Kalish Law Services I believe a year or two ago. Sio, represented me during my child support/visitation with the father of my children that was highly difficult. She discussed all the possibilities and was very explanatory on how the process would go. She was straight forward and to the point. No time wasted. I was very pleased in how my experience went with everything and the great communication sio and her staff had with me. I would use their services again if the opportunity did arise. I do highly recommend them. They are so great.
Steve Horn
Steve Horn
15:10 05 Aug 19
Bob Kalish and his team worked hard to help me with my issues.
Ashley Gonzalez
Ashley Gonzalez
22:13 15 Jun 17
Sio has been representing me for the past year and a half. She has been understanding and has truly gone above and beyond for me and my children. I would highly recommend her for any family court cases you may have going on. Sio is the best when it comes to standing up and defending her clients. Her assistants Ann and Myrna have also been wonderful answering all of my questions and emails right away. Thank you guys so much!
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