Eviction Lawyer Rates And Cost????????

Comments(9)

• 
  smithj26th August, 2004

  An answer here would be great. I seem to find that it is getting more difficult to get answers on TCI these days.
  
  Would someone please just let me know what they have paid or what they know is the going rate for an eviction Lawyer?
  
  Thanks,
  JS

• 
  johnbriscoe6th August, 2004

  In my area of the country a good lawyer charges around $750 for uncontested and $175.00 per hour if contested.

• 
  JohnMerchant6th August, 2004

  JS
  
  If I were you I'd explore this a little bit with your nearest Rental Ass'n, because those org's have the knowhow, forms, etc. to help a LL do it himself, and also have local lawyer connections with lawyers who do a lot of eviction work.
  
  And just remember it's impt. to support us poor lawyers, so never begrudge our reasonable fees
  [addsig]

• 
  c5hardtop11th August, 2004

  Here, I've been quoted $150 per hour. Problem is they could be at the courthouse for 15 mintues or 5 hours depending on the court's scheduling (you have court expenses also). There should be some doing them for a flat fee, ~$250-500. I didn't look much b/c I desided to turn that property over to management, they do them themselves for $150 flat (includes court costs).

• 
  InActive_Account11th August, 2004

  I done it last year in NC it cost me 185$ total

• 
  learntherules11th August, 2004

  In NY, a lawyer quoted me flat rate as follows (per apartment/unit):
  
  --uncontested: $900
  --if we have to go to court it's another $900 (until they're gone)
  --if you need marshals that costs $550

• 
  commercialking11th August, 2004

  If you find a guy who does evictions primarily he well charge you a flat rate. He arranges his schedule so that when he is in court he does 15 or 20 evictions at a time so the standing around time is minimalized.
  
  I've been out of the residential business for 6 years now but my guy here in chicago used to charge me $250 plus costs.
  
  Anybody quoting you an hourly rate is not the guy you want to use. Go down to the county courthouse. Ask what room they hear evictions in. Go to that room speak to the clerk and ask for the names of the attnys who do the most cases. There will only be two or three who handle 90% of the load (even in Chicago there are only 5 or 6).

• 
  smithj211th August, 2004

  Thanks everyone for your input. I think I am now beginning to understand how this works. Obviously, I don't want a guy who charges an hourly rate, instead I want someone who can quote me a flat fee as that is going to be more effective use of my funds.
  
  Also, I like commercialking's idea about locating the best Lawyers at the courthouse. That was a good one.
  
  Thanks again.
  JS.

• 
  learntherules15th August, 2004

  FYI, attorney that quoted the flat fees forwarded the paperwork for non-payment & eviction petitions. They are Blumberg forms. Perhaps you may want to take a look at the forms to become familiar.