We can attempt collection on a contingent fee basis. If there is no recovery of money, property, or benefit, we receive no fee. The advantages are that you need not put any new money in for legal fees to chase money you have already lost. Even if the legal efforts exceed our percentage or no recovery is made, you are not responsible for any additional fees, and you are not burdened by continuing expenses on a bad situation from the past. The only disadvantage of a contingent fee is if the debtor pays quickly or recovery is obtained with little legal effort, our percentage may be higher than you would have paid hourly. It is rare that there is an extreme difference and most clients are satisfied with contingent fees.
Legal fees may be added to judgments if a written and signed agreement provides for such fees, or in some special cases, pursuant to a statute (such as a bond claim). To recover fees we must pursue the case all the way to judgment and ask the court to award legal fees. Even then, the courts frequently use schedules which are so low as to be unrealistic–often 6% to 8% of the debt. In cases that go to trial (only one in 40) the court may award actual fees. Since many cases are resolved by negotiated settlements or agreements, often creditors will offer to waive the legal fees the court could award to obtain voluntary payment. Sanctions are usually an award against the opposing party or attorney for improper litigation conduct.
Any fees recovered are added to the gross recovery and divided in the same proportion as the principal debt. All sanctions are disbursed to attorney.
If you are ready to collect your money…
If you already have a judgment…
1. Call us at 1-800-519-0562 to confirm your interest.
2. Select the appropriate Retainer Agreement for California, print and complete
3. Read the article in “Starting Your Collection”
4. Send us your file, your cost deposit and the signed Agreement
We have a full staff of qualified and experienced Lawyers and Legal Assistants. We use all the legal remedies the law allows to collect your money. We move quickly and aggressively…
