COST of INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE (ILA)
Our Calgary law firm's pricing approach when advising and providing Independent Legal Advice (ILA).
Schedule an appointment with our law firm at 403-400-4092 or Chris@NeufeldLegal.com
As with most legal assignments, the pricing for Independent Legal Advice (ILA) is a factor of time. Therefore depending upon the amount of time that is required of our undertake our review and analysis, together with our consultation with yourself as to the specifics of the subject document, together with any follow-up work, will determine the ultimate cost to provide a certificate of independent legal advice.
Given that the pricing of a certificate of independent legal advice is premised on time, the final prices can very significantly, with personal guarantees required of banks and Guarantees Acknowledgment Act Certificates being the most straightforward, and typically the least time consuming, such that their cost is on the lowest end of a pricing spectrum for ILAs. Conversely, more time consuming legal work to properly review, analyze and consult for purposes of an ILA, as would be the case with prenuptial agreements and separation agreements, would be considerably more due to the uniqueness of the arrangements and the financial specifics of the parties, which necessitates individualized analysis and assessment, together with considerable document review (which may not necessarily be complete when materials are inititally provided, such that further information and documents may have to be obtained, and additional review and analysis undertaken).
In complex matters where independent legal advice is being sought, the single most important control on cost is in providing complete information and documentation at the outset, in a clear and understandable manner. This greatly assists in the work that we undertake as the lawyer, enabling us to avoid confusion and misunderstandings, which is all too frequently the situation with incomplete or inadequate documentation. As such, advanced organization and all documentation being made available are essential to controlling the cost for independent legal advice. This is the best way to keep your legal costs under control.
Nevertheless, even with the most straightforward independent legal advice work that we undertake, there is a fair degree of preparatory work and review and that we need to undertake in advance of our meeting with yourself, together with filing (and oftentimes follow-up work) that proceeds the actual in-person (or online) appointment, such that what might seem like 15 to 20 minutes of our time, is all too frequently a full hour of collective time that is spent on your file. And the same applies to the more complex matters, where a 45 minute in-person meeting also involves 2 to 4 hours of legal work and preparation in advance of our meeting, together with the follow up tasks that we are necessitated to undertake. This process is mandated by the Law Society of Alberta, and is in everyone's best interests, such that the legal costs are determined accordingly.
When you are required to a knowledgable lawyer to review, analyze and provide Independent Legal Advice, contact Calgary ILA lawyer Christopher Neufeld by email at Chris@NeufeldLegal.com or by telephone at 403-400-4092 to schedule an appointment (including evening mobile legal services).
