Solo attorneys, small law firms, and independent paralegals send these invoices. They bill for attorney and paralegal time, flat-fee matters such as wills or entity formation, and costs paid on the client's behalf, such as filing fees, service of process, and records requests.
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Most legal work is billed hourly in tenth-of-an-hour (6-minute) increments, with different rates for attorneys, associates, paralegals, and clerks. Many practices also offer flat fees for routine, well-defined matters like uncontested divorces, simple wills, trademark filings, and LLC formation. Hourly matters usually start with an advance fee or retainer, and in many states that money must go into a client trust account until it is earned. Costs advanced for the client, such as court filing fees and court reporters, are listed separately from fees. Contingency fees, common in personal injury, are a percentage of the recovery and are governed by state rules, so they are billed through a settlement statement and not a regular invoice. Some firms also offer limited-scope or unbundled services, such as document review or a single court appearance. Rules on fee agreements, flat fees, and trust accounting differ by state, so check your bar's rules.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney time, general practice (solo or small firm) | per hour | $200-450 |
| Paralegal or legal assistant time | per hour | $75-175 |
| Initial consultation | per consultation | $0-300 |
| Simple will or basic estate planning package | flat fee | $500-2,500 |
| LLC or corporation formation (excluding state fees) | flat fee | $500-1,500 |
| Uncontested divorce (no contested issues) | flat fee | $1,500-3,500 |
| Contract drafting or review | flat fee per document | $300-1,500 |
| Advance fee retainer for hourly matters | deposit | $1,500-5,000 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney: draft operating agreement and member consent for Harbor Street Provisions LLC | 4.5 hours | $325.00 | $1,462.50 |
| Attorney: client conference and revisions to operating agreement | 2 hours | $325.00 | $650.00 |
| Paralegal: prepare and file Articles of Organization, obtain EIN, assemble minute book | 3 hours | $125.00 | $375.00 |
| Cost advanced: State Secretary of State filing fee | 1 each | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| Total | $2,612.50 | ||
Notes: Matter: Formation of Harbor Street Provisions LLC. Time billed in 0.1-hour increments. Retainer of $2,500 held in trust has been applied to this invoice per the engagement agreement; balance of $112.50 is due within 30 days. Please contact the office with any questions about an entry within 14 days of receipt.
Clients with more than one matter need each invoice tied to the right file, and it keeps your records clear if a bill is questioned.
Clients and fee arbitrators expect to see who did what and when. Itemized entries are the best defense against fee disputes.
An entry like 'Draft motion to compel; review discovery responses' justifies the charge. 'Work on file' invites questions and may not satisfy your bar's expectations.
Attorney and paralegal rates differ, and the client should be able to check the math and see it matches the fee agreement.
Filing fees, service of process, copies, and court reporter charges are reimbursements and should be itemized so the client can see what was paid to third parties.
Show the starting trust balance, the amount applied to the invoice, and the remaining balance. In many states, you must be able to account for client funds.
It ties the charge to terms the client already signed. For flat-fee work, it shows which stage of the matter the payment covers.
Hourly matters usually begin with an advance fee retainer, held in trust where required and replenished when it falls below an agreed level. Flat-fee matters are often paid in full upfront or split into installments tied to milestones, and some states have specific rules on whether flat fees go into trust. Invoices are commonly sent monthly with payment due in 15 to 30 days. Late interest is allowed in many places if it is written in the engagement agreement, but check your bar's rules and local law first. Accepted methods typically include checks, ACH or bank transfer, and credit cards, and many bar associations require that trust funds be processed in a way that keeps client money separate from operating funds. Do not mix earned and unearned funds.
Many states require a written fee agreement for hourly matters above a certain fee level and for contingency fees. Spell out rates, billing increments, retainer terms, costs, and what happens on termination. An invoice is far easier to collect on when it matches a signed agreement.
Reconstructing time at month-end leads to missed hours and vague descriptions. Log time right after each call, email, or drafting session, and round only according to the increment in your agreement.
Only move funds from trust to operating after the work is billed and the client has been notified, in line with your state's rules. Reconcile your trust account every month, since commingling is a common cause of bar discipline.
Monthly invoices keep the work fresh in the client's mind and prevent a large surprise bill. If a matter is quiet, a brief status line helps explain why there are no charges.
At the end of a matter, send a final invoice that shows any remaining trust balance and refund the unearned portion promptly. This avoids confusion about whether you are still representing the client.
Tenth-of-an-hour (6-minute) increments are the most common and are usually seen as more precise to clients. Quarter-hour billing is also used. Whichever you choose, put it in your fee agreement and apply it consistently.
Often yes, if your agreement says so. Many attorneys bill travel time at a reduced rate or full rate and charge paralegal rates for clerical-type filing work. Overhead like rent and general office supplies typically cannot be passed on as separate charges, and clerical work billed at attorney rates tends to draw objections.
In many states you can, but only if the client agreed to it in writing and the rate is reasonable and within usury limits. Check your state bar's guidance and put the rate and start date in your engagement agreement.
Reference the fee agreement, name the service or milestone being billed, and show the flat amount and any payments already received. Costs that are not included in the flat fee, such as filing fees, should be listed separately.
Ask which entries concern them and walk through the time records. Many state bars offer fee dispute programs, and some require you to inform clients about them. Keep detailed time entries and correspondence, since they are your main evidence.
Send a Legal Services estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Legal Services estimate template