Our Fees and Billing Practices
At Tarleton Firm, we believe clear communication around fees is an important part of building trust. We want you to feel informed and confident before work begins. Here’s a brief overview of how our billing works:
Hourly Billing
Some matters are billed on an hourly basis. Hourly billing is typically used for matters like probate or trust administration, where the amount of work required can vary depending on the facts, court requirements, or unexpected developments. In those cases, you are billed only for the time actually spent on your matter — including meetings, document drafting, review of information, research, and communications related to your case.
Each invoice will show the time spent and the applicable hourly rate. If we anticipate that a matter may require substantial time or cost, we’ll discuss that with you in advance whenever possible.
Flat Fees
Certain estate planning services are offered at a flat fee. Flat fees provide predictability and are available when the scope of work is well-defined.
A flat fee covers only the tasks and documents listed in your engagement agreement. It does not include services outside that scope — such as significant revisions, changes in planning direction, new assets or entities, or issues that arise after signing.
Additional Work Outside a Flat Fee
If additional work becomes necessary outside the agreed flat fee, it is typically billed hourly at our standard rates. We will always explain this in advance and give you the opportunity to approve next steps before moving forward.
Our goal is to avoid surprises and help you make informed decisions about your plan and your investment in it.
Retainers and Payment
Some matters require a retainer — an upfront deposit held in trust and applied to fees as work is completed. We’ll clearly explain any retainer requirements at the start of your matter. You will always receive detailed invoices showing how your retainer is being used.
Questions About Billing
We understand that legal billing can be unfamiliar. If you ever have questions about your invoice or how your matter is being billed, please ask — we’re always happy to walk you through it. We want you to feel comfortable and confident at every stage of the process.