Free fee scenario tool

Attorney Fee Calculator

Compare the arithmetic behind hourly, flat-fee, and contingency arrangements.

Enter figures from a consultation, engagement letter, or hypothetical scenario. The calculator illustrates the numbers you provide; it does not predict how long a matter will take, what it may be worth, or what an attorney will charge.

Hourly fee range

Flat-fee estimate

Contingency illustration

Private by design: amounts are calculated in your browser and are not submitted to AttorneyHelp.org.

Illustration, not a quote: fee rules and agreements vary. Always read the written fee agreement and ask how retainers, expenses, refunds, appeals, unsuccessful outcomes, and termination of representation will be handled.

Useful figures to request

Before comparing arrangements

Which work is included and excluded?
Who bills time and at what rate?
Which case expenses are your responsibility?
How and when will you receive invoices?

Scenario 1Hourly arrangement

Estimate a low-to-high fee range. A retainer is shown separately because it is commonly an advance deposit credited against later bills rather than an additional fee.

Hourly rate

Low hours

High hours

Initial retainer or deposit Optional

Estimated additional case costs Optional

Scenario 2Flat-fee arrangement

Use the amount quoted for the defined work, plus any expenses that the agreement says are not included.

Quoted flat fee

Costs not included in the fee Optional

Scenario 3Contingency arrangement

Use a hypothetical recovery only to understand the fee formula in a proposed agreement. This calculator does not estimate a claim’s value or the likelihood of recovery.

Hypothetical gross recovery

Contingency percentage

Case costs charged to the client Optional

Percentage calculated

The written agreement controls. It should explain whether and when expenses are deducted, who owes them if there is no recovery, and whether different percentages apply at different stages.

Your illustrations

Fee scenario comparison

Arrangement	Inputs used	Illustrated amount

These amounts exclude taxes and any charges not entered. A retainer may affect the initial payment but is not added again to the illustrated hourly total because it may be credited against fees and costs.

How the fee calculator works

Hourly illustration
Hourly rate × estimated hours + entered case costs

Flat-fee illustration
Quoted flat fee + entered costs that are not included

Contingency illustration
Entered percentage × the recovery base specified, with entered case costs shown separately

Two fee arrangements with similar estimated totals can still have very different risks, payment schedules, covered work, and termination terms. Ask for a written agreement and clarification before signing. AttorneyHelp.org does not determine whether a fee is permitted, customary, or reasonable in your jurisdiction.

Last updated: July 23, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Often a retainer is money paid in advance and later applied to fees or costs, but agreements differ. Ask whether any portion is refundable, when it is considered earned, and whether it must be replenished.

Depending on the matter, costs might include court filing fees, service fees, records, transcripts, travel, experts, investigators, postage, or copying. Your agreement should explain which costs you are responsible for.

No. The recovery amount is entirely supplied by you and is used only to demonstrate arithmetic. The tool does not assess liability, damages, collectability, settlement value, or the chance of a recovery.

Attorney Fee Calculator

Before comparing arrangements

Fee scenario comparison

How the fee calculator works

Frequently asked questions

Is a retainer an additional fee?

What can count as a case cost?

Does the contingency illustration estimate what my matter is worth?

Related preparation tools