There are various types of attorney fee arrangements such as time based, fixed, or contingent. Time based means a fee that is determined by the amount of time involved, such as so much per hour, day or week. Fixed means a fee that is based on an agreed amount, regardless of the time or effort involved or the result obtained. Contingent means a certain agreed percentage or amount that is payable only upon attaining a recovery, regardless of the time or effort involved.
With a contingent fee arrangement, the lawyer receives no fee unless money is recovered for the client. Upon recovery, the lawyer is paid an agreed-upon percentage, usually ranging from an amount equal to 25 to 50 percent of the amount recovered. A written fee agreement should specify the costs and expenses to be deducted and whether such costs and expenses are to be deducted before or after the contingent fee is calculated. Contingent fee agreements are generally not permitted for criminal cases or domestic relations matters.
Even if there is no recovery, however, the client is still responsible for court costs (filing fees, subpoena fees, etc.) and related expenses, such as telephone charges, investigators' fees, medical reports, and other costs.
This form is a fairly typical contingent fee agreement
A North Dakota Contingency Fee Agreement with an Attorney or Law Firm provides a legal framework for clients seeking legal representation without upfront fees, paying their attorney or law firm a percentage of the compensation received if the case is successful. Contingency fee agreements in North Dakota, like in many other states, are widely utilized in personal injury cases, medical malpractice claims, and other civil litigation matters. One type of contingency fee agreement commonly seen in North Dakota is the Standard Contingency Fee Agreement. Under this agreement, the attorney or law firm agrees to represent the client on a contingency basis, where no fees are owed if the case is lost, but a percentage of the settlement or awarded damages is payable to the attorney if the case is won. Another type is the Tiered Contingency Fee Agreement, which involves a structured fee arrangement based on different stages of the case. For example, the agreement may outline a lower percentage fee at the pre-litigation stage, a slightly higher percentage if the case goes to trial, and an even higher percentage if the case advances to an appeal. North Dakota also recognizes the Modified Contingency Fee Agreement, where the attorney charges a reduced hourly fee during the litigation process in addition to a contingency fee percentage. In this arrangement, the client pays the attorney's hourly rate for the time spent on the case, but the contingency fee is still payable at the end of the case if there is a successful outcome. A specific type of contingency fee agreement that is relevant in North Dakota is the Wrongful Death Contingency Fee Agreement, designed for cases involving the death of an individual due to someone's negligence or intentional act. This agreement outlines the attorney's percentage fee in pursuing a wrongful death claim, seeking justice and compensation for surviving family members. When entering into a North Dakota Contingency Fee Agreement, it is crucial to carefully review the terms, including the percentage fee, expense responsibilities, and any applicable caps or limitations. It is advisable to consult with multiple attorneys or law firms to compare their proposed fee structures and thoughtfully select the representation that best suits your case's specifics. Having a North Dakota Contingency Fee Agreement with an Attorney or Law Firm provides an opportunity for individuals who might not have the financial means to pursue legal recourse to still have access to competent legal representation. This arrangement aligns the attorney's interests with the client's outcome, fostering dedication and efforts towards achieving a favorable resolution.A North Dakota Contingency Fee Agreement with an Attorney or Law Firm provides a legal framework for clients seeking legal representation without upfront fees, paying their attorney or law firm a percentage of the compensation received if the case is successful. Contingency fee agreements in North Dakota, like in many other states, are widely utilized in personal injury cases, medical malpractice claims, and other civil litigation matters. One type of contingency fee agreement commonly seen in North Dakota is the Standard Contingency Fee Agreement. Under this agreement, the attorney or law firm agrees to represent the client on a contingency basis, where no fees are owed if the case is lost, but a percentage of the settlement or awarded damages is payable to the attorney if the case is won. Another type is the Tiered Contingency Fee Agreement, which involves a structured fee arrangement based on different stages of the case. For example, the agreement may outline a lower percentage fee at the pre-litigation stage, a slightly higher percentage if the case goes to trial, and an even higher percentage if the case advances to an appeal. North Dakota also recognizes the Modified Contingency Fee Agreement, where the attorney charges a reduced hourly fee during the litigation process in addition to a contingency fee percentage. In this arrangement, the client pays the attorney's hourly rate for the time spent on the case, but the contingency fee is still payable at the end of the case if there is a successful outcome. A specific type of contingency fee agreement that is relevant in North Dakota is the Wrongful Death Contingency Fee Agreement, designed for cases involving the death of an individual due to someone's negligence or intentional act. This agreement outlines the attorney's percentage fee in pursuing a wrongful death claim, seeking justice and compensation for surviving family members. When entering into a North Dakota Contingency Fee Agreement, it is crucial to carefully review the terms, including the percentage fee, expense responsibilities, and any applicable caps or limitations. It is advisable to consult with multiple attorneys or law firms to compare their proposed fee structures and thoughtfully select the representation that best suits your case's specifics. Having a North Dakota Contingency Fee Agreement with an Attorney or Law Firm provides an opportunity for individuals who might not have the financial means to pursue legal recourse to still have access to competent legal representation. This arrangement aligns the attorney's interests with the client's outcome, fostering dedication and efforts towards achieving a favorable resolution.