This is so counter-intuitive to write this, but I am a consumer first and lawyer second. Well, actually, I am much more than those firstly, but between them, I will always be a consumer first.
I admit that I am frugal, maybe even cheap, but if I can save a few dollars, I will. Of course, I have to earn a living and billing my clients is how I do that. Like other "sales" out there, lawyers have ways of rewarding their clients with discounts. Sometimes I have specials for particular projects - like a new strata development, or with a particular realtor, or lender for a purchase or mortgage, or through an organization, like a networking or professional group.
Before wanting to save money, you have to understand our business and how we earn a living. We have staff and overhead. We buy services and pay things on your behalf. We have an hourly rate that matches our skill and knowledge and this is how we generally value our time. We know that we have to invoice a certain amount on each file to cover all of our expenses and then still earn a living. Needless to say, there is always room for negotiation.
Here are a few tips on how to save on legal fees:
BUNDLING: One of the best ways to gain a discount, is to bundle the services. (Shaw and Telus are on to something!) You buy a new home and do your will shortly thereafter - you will see a courtesy discount on my invoices.
REFERRALS: When we know that our clients have referred other people to us, sometimes we will send out a thank you card or small gift in appreciation. But, if you have legal need coming up, why not ask for a referral discount if you have sent us some clients?
FIXED FEE / FLAT RATE: Another way to ensure your fees are not sky rocketing is to ask for a fixed fee or flat rate. As lawyers, we cringe when we have to do this because it seems that every so often, when we do, that file goes on and on and on, and at the end of the day, the product that the client gets is worth so very much more than what they paid. In order to offset these files, we have to have a profit margin on all the others. I will consider flat rates on certain things, but usually have to ask more than just a basic question or two.
PRICE MATCH: If you have a quote from someone else, ask your lawyer to match it. Maybe, just maybe, she can. I think the media slogan is "we will not be undercut". I will go pretty far to save a client and I think most of my colleagues will do the same.
It hurts to see money going out the door, but at the end of the day - I am a shopper and I get it. After all, we are but highly specialized sales people and you are the consumers. And sometimes a deal really is too good to be true and you must not forget that sometimes, you get what you paid for.
If your lawyer is not helping you, ask yourself why not.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Common sense and the law
I have noticed that some of the general public love to hate the law or the legal system. And, they seem to enjoy lambasting judges, courts, lawyers, police, or the "system". Sometimes it's warranted, but more often, I don't think it is.
I read a legal decision last week and smiled because common sense prevailed. The decision is about who is at fault for a car accident. The lower court held that the left hand turning vehicle was entirely at fault. The appeal court overturned that ruling and said it was 50/50 as to fault. The other vehicle was passing vehicles on the right, not in a lane, but approaching a right hand turning lane. The road was wide enough for two lanes, but the lane markings were not there yet. You can read the details here, but really, at the end of the day, when we get into our cars, we have to use a bit of common sense. If you can't see an intersection or can't see clearly in front of your car or are driving in a non-existing lane.... well, shouldn't you slow down?
Canada has a fantastic legal system. It is not perfect, but it is amazing and mostly gets it right. I don't think we hear from the media or on the streests about the simple victories enough, but I just thought I would point one out.
If your lawyer is not helping you, ask yourself why not.
I read a legal decision last week and smiled because common sense prevailed. The decision is about who is at fault for a car accident. The lower court held that the left hand turning vehicle was entirely at fault. The appeal court overturned that ruling and said it was 50/50 as to fault. The other vehicle was passing vehicles on the right, not in a lane, but approaching a right hand turning lane. The road was wide enough for two lanes, but the lane markings were not there yet. You can read the details here, but really, at the end of the day, when we get into our cars, we have to use a bit of common sense. If you can't see an intersection or can't see clearly in front of your car or are driving in a non-existing lane.... well, shouldn't you slow down?
Canada has a fantastic legal system. It is not perfect, but it is amazing and mostly gets it right. I don't think we hear from the media or on the streests about the simple victories enough, but I just thought I would point one out.
If your lawyer is not helping you, ask yourself why not.
Monday, January 9, 2012
To Be Inc. or Not To Be Inc.
There are two primary reasons to incorporate your business: 1 – liability or risk exposure and 2 – tax savings.
The very nature of your business might strongly suggest you incorporate, such as, if you manufacture products used in construction, or if you provide foods that are inherently risky for food poisoning. You could review your insurance policy first to see if there is a risk that your exposure could exceed your policy limit. If so, your personal assets and home are at risk and you may want to incorporate your business.
Of course, there are a few industries where the individual’s regulating body will not permit incorporation or where insurance simply isn’t enough or even available. Those individuals should speak to a lawyer to find out what options and strategies they can employ to protect themselves and their families.
Perhaps, one of you is the primary employee of your business, and in which case you can reduce your taxes by incorporating and including your spouse in the company, either by dividends or a family trust. This model has been popular with health professionals for many years.
There comes a time financially, when paying a few thousand dollars today to your accountant and/or lawyer, will save you many thousand dollars for each tax year, but how do you know when this is? Your accountant or financial planner are most likely the professionals to alert you to this but some will not offer this unless you ask.
There are many ways your accountant or lawyer or financial planner can look at your finances for your business for you and your family... But you might have to take the first step and make an appointment. Whenever I have client, new or old, in my office, I make a point of asking some general questions about their finances and personal life. I have no problem suggesting that maybe they should check in with the accountant or insurer to discuss their goals where I see room for improvement.
Ask yourself – if your professional team is not helping you – why not?
YOUR BUSINESS TEAM: Insurance Agent, Lawyer, Accountant, Financial Planner
Darlene Dort, Lawyer
The very nature of your business might strongly suggest you incorporate, such as, if you manufacture products used in construction, or if you provide foods that are inherently risky for food poisoning. You could review your insurance policy first to see if there is a risk that your exposure could exceed your policy limit. If so, your personal assets and home are at risk and you may want to incorporate your business.
Of course, there are a few industries where the individual’s regulating body will not permit incorporation or where insurance simply isn’t enough or even available. Those individuals should speak to a lawyer to find out what options and strategies they can employ to protect themselves and their families.
Perhaps, one of you is the primary employee of your business, and in which case you can reduce your taxes by incorporating and including your spouse in the company, either by dividends or a family trust. This model has been popular with health professionals for many years.
There comes a time financially, when paying a few thousand dollars today to your accountant and/or lawyer, will save you many thousand dollars for each tax year, but how do you know when this is? Your accountant or financial planner are most likely the professionals to alert you to this but some will not offer this unless you ask.
There are many ways your accountant or lawyer or financial planner can look at your finances for your business for you and your family... But you might have to take the first step and make an appointment. Whenever I have client, new or old, in my office, I make a point of asking some general questions about their finances and personal life. I have no problem suggesting that maybe they should check in with the accountant or insurer to discuss their goals where I see room for improvement.
Ask yourself – if your professional team is not helping you – why not?
YOUR BUSINESS TEAM: Insurance Agent, Lawyer, Accountant, Financial Planner
Darlene Dort, Lawyer
Polygamy law question update: No Appeal
I am a few weeks late posting this - something about the holidays had me distracted.
There are a few lawyers (and members of the public) wondering why the decision that Polygamy remains (mostly) illegal was not appealed and I admit that the shortage of comments and coverage in the media still surprises me. It is not very often that our courts are asked to judicially consider a sanction that runs so deeply into our fundamental sense of morality.
Alas, the matter is put to rest.... at least for now.
If your lawyer is not helping you, ask yourself why not.
There are a few lawyers (and members of the public) wondering why the decision that Polygamy remains (mostly) illegal was not appealed and I admit that the shortage of comments and coverage in the media still surprises me. It is not very often that our courts are asked to judicially consider a sanction that runs so deeply into our fundamental sense of morality.
Alas, the matter is put to rest.... at least for now.
If your lawyer is not helping you, ask yourself why not.
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