Billing Question

[Gus]

I'm looking at my attorney bills and was curious about something. Input from anyone would help. And Lee, if you wouldn't mind mentioning your policy on it I'd appreciate.

Is it normal for an attorney to charge for drive time to and from the courthouse for hearings?

[Cam]

I don't know if it helps but my attorney does , her office is 45 miles from the courthouse. 

[m_t]

Absolutely. That's time that your attorney is "on your case" and not able to work on someone else's. So you're responsible for the time spent. Same if you end up sitting in the hallway for hours waiting for your case to be called. You don't just pay for the time in the courtroom, but all of the associated time.

[Lee Borden]

I agree, with one proviso. If your attorney drives to the courthouse just for your case, you would expect to pay for the travel time. If the trip is for yours and one other case, you would expect to pay for your share (1/2). Obviously, there's no way for you to check on your attorney about this, so it really comes down to the ethics of your attorney.

As for my policy, I rarely travel to courthouses any more because all my work is focused on couples who are able to be reasonably cooperative, but when I must travel, I charge for the time.

[Gus]

Thats kinda what I figured. Thanks for your responses. I'm just a bit frustrated by it cause she has 2 offices. One is 5 minutes from the courthouse, the other 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. And of course she came from the further one each time. I also found it odd that everytime I tried to phone her, she was "in court all day", yet when I had a hearing, mine was the only one she had. 

Sorry...just venting a bit.

[silent_type]

I have a question too...

My ex said his attorney provided him with statements weekly during our custody,ugh.... "dispute".  He knew exactly what he was paying for,amount,etc.

I kinda thought that my attorney turned into a shady character about it!
I got a call one day and the receptionist said "Its time for you to pay more money- youre retainer is about to run out!"

I never actually got a statement about any expenses.
Has anyone else had that experience before?

[m_t]

Well... did you ask your attorney for a statement? I've had attorneys who provided statements regularly, others when the money was running out and needed to be replenished, and others who only produced them on request.

[silent_type]

Well... did you ask your attorney for a statement? I've had attorneys who provided statements regularly, others when the money was running out and needed to be replenished, and others who only produced them on request.

No,I didnt ask. (shrug) I wondered if it was common to just not get one...which apparently,it is (?).
It would have been polite,I think,to give a statement at the time that the retainer ran out.... but thats just me.

This was a learning experience for sure!

Thanks for the answer.