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Does ever find that FDD is repetitive?
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I said what I said.
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Family Law Software? Pros and cons?
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I’ve started putting “at client request” in a ton of my descriptions. For example, just got out of a 1.3 zoom which was just my client venting. No real legal work done, but when she sees it on the bill and doesn’t feel like paying it, I’ll say: don’t request shit you’re not willing to pay for. 🤷♂️
Um, excuse me, imma need to borrow that description. K? Thanks! (Full time family law attorney here. I have this call at least 2x a week).
I did family law for 4 years before leaving, it happened ALL THE TIME. They even asked for discounts. Ive learned to fluff up the narratives on the billing to show why I was doing a task.
If they fight us on something, they send us appeals in writing and we send back explanations/clarifications
Far as i know there's not usually a meeting. Probably depends on the practice area. I do general liability litigation , yes, ID! Midsized firm
I’ve been a (super small) solo family law practitioner for just the last 6 months. So far, out of 12 cases, a client has never questioned the bill and I think it is ONLY because I am extremely accurate and detailed in the way I indicate each task. There would be nothing for them to dispute because it is so clearly itemized.
Clients get a bill on the first of every month. I use Clio to do my billing which allows each billed item to include a category for the activity (research, drafting documents, review, communication with client, communication with opposing counsel, etc). For example, one item will state: “Communication with client: E-mail from Client with extensive list of concerns and questions. Email to Client with detailed analysis of child custody scenarios, child support, division of marital home and bank accounts. Explained the next steps of the case. Included a to-do list for client.”
It takes a little bit longer to document my tasks, but it ensures that the client cannot dispute the bill and if they ever file a grievance on it then the committee can easily cross reference the task with my communications and dismiss any complaint from the client.
I also am very honest in my time input. I don’t fluff it up. If something took me only 15 minutes because I had a perfect template for it, then I’m only billing .3 hours. I am not inflating my numbers.
Im sure eventually some jerk client will fight me on a bill but most seem to think it’s reasonable.
I offer discounts which makes them feel like they’re winning something. They get a 10% discount if clients pay their full balance within 10 days each month. So if they get a $3k bill on October 1, and they pay in full by October 10, then they save a few hundred and I’m more likely to get paid. Clients appreciate the financial incentives.
I also randomly take off a few dollars here and there. If a client sent me a text with a question that took me 1 minute to respond to, technically I can bill .1 hour for that (6 min increments). Instead, I bill for it, then in the bill I include a 100% discount for that single item. I don’t feel like I am losing anything by that but the client likes to see that they got away with something.
My partner, who was my boss until 10 months ago just doesn’t offer payment plans. He recognizes he forgets to follow up. We are a two attorney, one paralegal shop. I think I’d be willing to do payment plans if people paid check/cash (card processing fees are a bitch). But I think that would require our paralegal to be more responsible. She has it in her— but she has also always had mommy and daddy to do the adult stuff. So at work, she plays dumb to try to get me to do her shit. When I was an associate, whatever. But now, I honestly told my partner that if it were up to me, she’d be out the door (there are other things like she only speaks English and can’t assist with Spanish-speaking clients).
All people who never hired lawyers before always demand more information about invoice or bill. People never payed $17500 for anything rather then car or house. Also a lot of people can’t afford actually a lawyer/ so they start and can’t finish paying. It’s pain of b2c legal service.
Detailed narratives are key, along with clear language in the fee agreement. Our fee agreement gives them a set period of time upon bill receipt to challenge a charge in writing. Few actually read the fee agreement though. From time to time we get clients with questions. We will direct them to our legal assistants for questions unless it’s an issue which clearly needs attorney input. I don’t recall anyone ever demanding an actual meeting about it though!
Happened all the time working at small firms that did family law. Usually having to explain or talk to them as the associate lawyer working on their file, providing them written explanations by email, phone meetings, video meetings and in person meetings about billing.