I started practicing family law and I’m having a hard time with taking money from people in bad financial situations. I still have credit card debt and a student loan so I’m not ballin by any means. How do I get over the guilt?

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When people need your services, they find a way to make it happen. And ironically, sometimes the more you charge a client, the more they actually see the value in the services you provide. Plus, there is nothing worse than lowering your rate and taking payment from a client, only to have that client refer other people to you in the future, expecting to pay the same reduced fees that you extended the first client under special circumstances.

likesmart

I had a similar discussion with a (now-former) partner. He wanted us to slash our rates by 50% or so, make it up with volume, generate a stream of referrals, and then raise our fees back to a market-reasonable amount.

I pointed out that we’d have a stream of complaints from prospects asking why we charged their friend X and now want 2X to take on a similar case. His suggestion was just to tell them, “That was then, this is now.”

One of many reasons why I no longer practice with him…

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Agree with CMP1. People who need us will make it happen.

Not a general outlook, but from a business perspective, I remember that we have employees and I gotta eat too.

When it comes to money, I’m very transparent with clients about projected costs, and if they give me the vibe that my bill is low priority to them, I square them away and withdraw.

We’re in a helping profession, but we don’t have to suffer to provide a benefit.

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I used to always answer the question about estimated cost. Wasn’t til recently that I realized, they only remember the smallest number you tell them.

Then anytime the trust balance needs replenished, I get the: but you said it’d be X….

Uh, that was an estimate based on what you told me. Since then, A,B,C and D has come to light. 🤷

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I practice consumer bankruptcy law. Pretty much by definition, all of my clients are in bad financial situations. And I don’t hesitate to quote a fee that’s reasonable for this market, albeit at the high end.

Why? First, I’m a professional. Second, I’m running a business that supports myself. Third, the value I provide to the client is well worth what I charge.

If someone simply can’t afford me, they’re often a good candidate for legal aid, and I’ll give them an appropriate referral.

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The clients need your services. They don’t know how to navigate custody concerns or how to handle division of assets without your assistance. Your services are valuable. You are 3 parts attorney and 1 part therapist/shoulder to vent on. You should be paid in the value you add and bring to their lives - don’t devalue yourself

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I love this response! Yes, we wear many different hats in this job, but our biggest hat that we (should) wear most often is the attorney hat. It’s what sets us apart and makes our services valuable.

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You deserve to be paid for your work.

If you want, you can assuage your guilt by taking pro- or low-bono cases from your bar association or legal aid volunteer lawyers project.

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My dad did pro bono work on the side while working as a workers comp attorney. He helped people with getting their visas and citizenship.

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Pay to play. They hired you according to your rate terms (& hopefully you have a written retainer agreement). Do not take your cases home with you- ever. No weekend calls (OK- I read emails), no weekend meetings. Your time is valuable, and you should be compensated.

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I practice the same at a small firm as well. I agree with the above two comments: You are being paid for your services and helping them better navigate a situation they may otherwise not know how to handle/handle well.

You can ameliorate the guilt by doing the best job for these people that you can. I also cut little breaks here and there with billing if something really didn't take me much time (email that takes 2 mins I won't charge; short remote hearing I'll bill time spent instead of our minimum)

Perhaps you could go into public practice and be hired on behalf of the state/city rather than privately. Some of the cost will then be mitigated

I don’t do family law, but I do practice immigration law. I often have the same guilt and urge to discount my fees. My paralegal reminds me that the value added to their lives is worth the investment now, even if it is hard to come by.

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