Legal Retainer Calculator

Why Legal Retainers Matter

A legal retainer is an upfront fee paid to secure an attorney’s services. It builds trust, ensures availability, and covers initial work. Understanding retainer costs helps avoid surprises and manage legal budgets.

How to Use This Calculator

Choose your billing model:

• Hourly: Estimate total cost based on rate × hours
• Flat Fee: For predictable services like incorporations or wills
• Upfront Payment: See how much of your estimate a given retainer covers

The Retainer Formulas

The retainer is typically held in a trust account and billed against hourly.

Real-World Applications

• Business Law: Incorporation, contracts, compliance
• Real Estate: Closings, title disputes, leasing
• Family Law: Divorce, custody, prenups
• Intellectual Property: Trademarks, patents, licensing

Key Questions to Ask Your Attorney

• Is the retainer refundable if unused?
• How often will I receive billing statements?
• What happens when the retainer runs low?
• Are there additional costs (filing fees, experts)?

Example

An attorney charges $300/hour for a 15-hour project. The estimated cost is $4,500. A retainer of $5,000 covers the work and provides a buffer. If only 12 hours are used, $1,400 may be refunded.

Tips for Clients

• Get retainer terms in writing
• Ask for regular updates
• Clarify scope of work
• Understand what’s included/excluded