HELP!!!! What's the going hourly rate for a lawyer????

[rene moon]

I just spoke to a probate lawyer who wants to charge me $190 an hr. Is that the going rate?

I need someone to help me save my grandmother's house from being taken by the State due to a lien on it for her medical care. She died last year but I have been living there and have been for quite sometime now.

I tried Legal Aid but they said they didnt do that kind of work.

Any help much appreciated!

[wtmusic]

1. anywhere from $35 to $500 and higher

$190 is not bad if he seems to know his stuff.

Hard to know in advance. Try to get a referral.

[rene moon]

2. Pardon my ignorance

But what is a referral?

Sorry but I am a bundle of nerves right now

[wtmusic]

8. Anyone who can recommend an attorney to you

particularly in that field. It makes a big difference. Even getting a referral from an attorney in another field helps.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. Check Around

Going rates vary by location.

You can offer to contract for specific services for a set limited fee. Some attorneys will do this - provided the expectations are very clearly defined and provided you make an informed consent.

[nankerphelge]

4. Depends on where you are...

$190 isn't out of control for an hourly fee.

[wellstone dem]

5. Check on the internet also

many legal aid programs have senior law projects with brochures that explain these liens.

Where are you from? It may be someone knows a senior law specialist in your state.

[rene moon]

6. I am in AZ

[JimmyJazz]

7. Please be careful. Get a good lawyer. And make that lawyer

accountable for their time. Too often, they cut corners and are sloppy about billing time. Ask him or her, up front, how many billable hours they think it will require.

And, if at all possible, get a recommendation from someone about who to hire.

[farmbo]

9. I charge $185/hr , but will cut my rates for long term projects...

...like a Probate Estate.

That state Medicaid lien, if it's properly perfected, is bad medicine and you should not skimp on finding (and paying for) an experienced probate lawyer.

Good luck!

PS... I'm in Ohio--you'll want a local practitioner-- I'm not trolling for your business.