The hourly billing will be applied when the magnitude and the length of the work isl not forseable. This will happen in intricated cases, or when bad faith defendants make serious troubles and dilatory maneuvers quite predictable...

For instance, applications for judiciary estates liquidation and partition may trigger one - or even several! - decades of proceedings. These are extreme and marginal cases though; fortunately, most of succession disputes end up,  midterm, in amicable settlements. However, taken into account the uncertainty of such endings, only an hourly billing will allow a transparent, proportionate and fair remuneration of the work actually performed.

Those uncertainties explain that we usually do not not ask for "contengency fees", but we issue time sheets according to an  hourly fee set at 300 euros  + VAT  20 % & actual expenses. The work done under such billing modalities is accounted for within regular and detailed reports, on which are provided, upon demand, all needed explanations and justifications.

When the nature of the case allows it, an estimated overall price will always be submitted before applying an hourly billing.

This estimate, proposed in a detailed Fee Agreement, will describe the work included in the quotation, as well as the excluded tasks and expenses. For instance, costs of any needed external professional intervention (eg Bailiffs' services) will expressly be left out this submitted amount.

These estimates are presented subject to serious and unforseable difficulties, such as proceedings developments involving third parties, or setting up expertise investigations.

In this hypothesis, if those new proceedings and judicial measures allow to do so, a new quotation will be issued, complementary to the initial estimate. If not feasible, a suppletive hourly fee billing will be applied, with the client's consent.

Furthermore, as a general indication, on-site or by phone Consultations are billed 240 euros VAT included. 

It is possible to get coverage for all or a portion of judicial assistance and  representation costs, under the benefit of a "legal protection" Insurance Policy.

In France, such protection is often included in Multi-Risks Housing Insurance Policies, and usually offered by most Compagnies. Clients may want to check with their Insurer prior to seeking legal remedies, so that they will be informed of this potential coverage.

Fees are always freely agreed upon beween our Firm and its Clients, prior to any legal work and mission of representation. Remuneration modalities (ie flat rate or hourly billing, plus actual expenses) are mutually defined on a case by case basis. They are subject to a prior written estimate, at the opening of the file.

Adequate work will be provided upon receiving clients' formal consent  along with the payment of an agreed retainer, both amounting to a confirmation of the power of attorney such granted to our Firm. According to the Law # 2015-990 of August 6 2015, a prior written Fee Agreement must be executed between Lawyers and Clients. As a principle, payment of currently released bills conditions the pursuing of the ongoing work.