What Legal Help Costs: Straight Answers About Fees

Does the flat fee cover everything I’ll owe?

Almost — and here’s the honest breakdown, because this is where other firms let you get surprised. Your total has two parts:

Bottom line: the flat fee won’t be your entire total, but at the consultation you’ll leave with both numbers — fee and estimated costs — so you can budget against reality, not a teaser.

How much does Chapter 7 bankruptcy cost in Florida?

A Chapter 7 case has three cost components: the court filing fee (set by the federal court, currently $338 for the Middle District of Florida — the same no matter which attorney you hire), the credit counseling course fees (typically under $50 total for both required courses), and attorney’s fees.

Attorney’s fees vary by firm and by case complexity — factors like prior bankruptcies, business debts, non-exempt assets, or pending lawsuits change the work involved. At Stewart Law, your attorney’s fee is quoted as a single flat number at your free consultation, after I’ve actually looked at your situation. That number is in writing, and it covers the scoped legal work: preparation, filing, the 341 meeting of creditors, and the questions in between. No hourly meter. No surprise invoice. Court and third-party costs are itemized separately at the same consultation, so your budget covers the whole picture.

How much does Chapter 13 cost? Why is it different?

Chapter 13 involves a three-to-five-year repayment plan, ongoing plan administration, and significantly more attorney work over the life of the case. The Middle District of Florida has established presumptively reasonable fee guidelines for Chapter 13 cases, and much of the attorney’s fee is typically paid through the plan rather than up front — which surprises many people: Chapter 13 can often be started with less money out of pocket than Chapter 7. Whether it’s the right chapter for you is a different question, and that’s exactly what the consultation is for.

Can I afford bankruptcy if I’m already broke?

This is the most honest question on this page, and it deserves an honest answer. Yes, there is real tension in paying an attorney to tell the court you can’t pay your debts. Here’s how it works in practice: Chapter 7 attorney’s fees are generally paid before filing (fees owed to your attorney at filing would be swept into the discharge like any other debt — so the system requires payment first). Most clients fund this by redirecting money they were paying toward debts that the bankruptcy will discharge anyway. Once you’ve made the decision to file, continuing to pay unsecured creditors is usually pouring water into a bucket you’re about to empty. We’ll talk timing and strategy at the consultation — legally and specifically for your situation.

How much does an estate plan cost in Florida?

It depends on what your family actually needs — and “what you actually need” is the first thing we figure out, not the last. A straightforward will-based plan is a different scope than a revocable living trust package, which is different again from a plan involving business interests, blended families, or NFA firearms. What I can promise: after your free consultation, you’ll have a flat, written attorney’s fee quote for the exact documents your plan requires, plus a clear rundown of any costs on top — like county recording fees if your plan involves deed work. And I will tell you plainly if you don’t need something. If two documents do the job, I won’t sell you six.

What does a gun trust cost?

A Florida gun trust is quoted flat, like all our estate planning work. The scope depends on whether it’s a standalone NFA trust or integrated into a broader estate plan (often the smarter move — your firearms are part of your estate whether you plan for them or not). See our Florida gun trust overview for what these trusts do, then bring your questions to the consultation.

What does business or contract work cost?

Transactional work — contract review, drafting, business formation — is scoped per project. You tell me the deal context and the document; I quote the project in writing before work begins. Larger or ongoing engagements get a defined written scope so both sides know exactly where the edges are. If your matter is genuinely open-ended (active disputes, extended negotiations), I’ll tell you that up front and we’ll structure it honestly rather than pretending a flat fee fits.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes — and it’s a real consultation, not a sales pitch with a legal-sounding name. You leave knowing your options, whether or not we work together, and if we’re a fit, you leave with a written flat quote. If what you need isn’t something we do, I’ll point you to someone who does it well.

Do you offer payment plans?

For bankruptcy matters, we’ll discuss fee timing and structure at the consultation — what’s workable depends on your chapter and your situation. For estate planning and business matters, payment arrangements are handled case by case. Ask. The conversation is free.

Why don’t you just list your prices?

Fair question — here’s the honest answer. A price without a scope is a trap: either it’s padded to cover the worst case (you overpay) or it’s teased low to get you in the door (the “add-ons” find you later). Every number we quote follows an actual look at your actual situation, which is why it can be flat and final. The consultation costs you nothing and gets you a real number instead of a marketing one.