The foreclosure defense firm of Graham W. Syfert, Esq., P.A. - Jacksonville Civil, Criminal Attorney, and Family Lawyer

An attorney or lawyer collects certain kinds of fees and use terms that are often unfamiliar to the common public. In an effort to clarify some of the rules, the basic terminology is outlined below.

Flat fee, Non-refundable: In certain cases, especially criminal cases, non-refundable flat fees are charged and are exactly what they sound like. However, it is common for non-refundable flat fees to not cover extended services, such as, Trial (attorney fee), Depositions (costs), Service of Process/Subpoena (costs). Be sure to inquire of any attorney charging a flat fee exactly what services are covered. (i.e. My Monthly Foreclosure Clients)

Cost Retainer: Sometimes accompanying a flat fee or cases with high costs, a cost retainer is not used to pay the attorney, but is a discretionary account for the attorney to use for services (i.e. Private Investigator, Court Reporter, Legal Research Services, Depositions, Subpoenas, Service of Process.) These funds should be held in trust and an accounting should be available to you upon request. No attorney time or fees should ever be deducted from a strictly cost retanier.

Retainer: There are two different kinds of retainer, but usually in common use, this involves the Attorney's trust account. The attorney bills his time and his costs against the retainer, and deducts money from the retainer. Minimums may be set by an attorney for trust deposit balances.

Contingency: More often than not, when a commercial on T.V. says that a lawyer is offering his services and there is no fee unless you recover, he is speaking of a contingency fee case. Contingency fees are most common in Personal Injury cases, but are also common in Debt Collection.

Why doesn't a lawyer simply publish his fees? There are multiple reasons for this, but a major one is the varying nature of cases and strength of potential defenses in your case. Think of a simple traffic ticket, and now think about the many many violations and penalties that you could face, including license suspension, 1000 dollar speeding tickets, DMV administrative hearings. It would be easy to overestimate and just as easy to underestimate the amount of time an attorney would spend on your case with just a simple one-time fee. An attorney must be able to estimate the time necessary, and his qualifications in that area, and then create a flat fee based on the facts of your situation.

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What are these rates posted below? These are suggested rates and common practices of Graham W. Syfert, Esq., P.A. Some rates (i.e. Family Law) are non-negotiable. Other cases can be discounted because they are of a special interest to Mr. Syfert or are free and discounted to certain organizations (i.e. Charities, Churches, Non-profits). Mr. Syfert takes two pro-bono cases per year of individuals in need.

Mr. Syfert also offers discounts to all employees of businesses in the jacksonville five points business district.

THESE RATES MAY CHANGE AS MR. SYFERT'S CASE LOAD INCREASES, BUT RATES ON THIS WEBSITE WILL REMAIN AS UP TO DATE AS POSSIBLE.

Real Estate Services / Foreclosure Defense

Foreclosure Defense Option 1 ...................................................$1500-2500 deposit billed at an hourly rate(retainer), depending on current status.

Foreclosure Defense Option 2 ...................................................$350 per month.

Foreclosure Defense Strongly Suggested Cost Retainer...............$500-1500 retainer, depending on current status.

* Reduced Rates for Multiple Unit Landlords *

Landlord / Tenant (Landlord Representation) .............................$750.00 flat fee plus court costs and service of process fees.

Landlord / Tenant (Tenant Defense, Select Cases) .....................$500.00 flat fee and/or $500.00 retainer and up.

Quit Claim Deeds ......................................................................$150.00 and up.

Simple Land Trust......................................................................$250.00.

Land Management Trust (Florida Real Estate Investors)..............$2500.00 and up.

Criminal Defense Lawyer / Traffic Attorney
(Note: Rates below do not include trial fee which varies based upon complexity and need for expert witness or multiple witness testimony.)

Felony Representation ...................................................$3000 and up depending on case and case status.

DUI Defense .................................................................$1500-2500 and up depending on case and case status.

Misdemeanor Representation .........................................$500-2500 and up depending on case and case status.

Criminal Traffic...............................................................$500-2500 and up depending on case and case status.

Speeding Tickets/Civil Infractions ...................................$99.00.

Why 99.00 for speeding tickets? It's a way for us to get to know one another.

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Estate Planning

Simple Will, Health Care Surrogate, Durable Power of Attorney........$500.00.

Estate Plan with Family Trust (asset protection trust)..........................$3000.00 and up, non-neogtiable.

Estate Plan with Charitable Trust ......................................................$Contact Mr. Syfert.

Civil Litigation

Mr. Syfert bills at a rate of $195-300 per hour depending on case and complexity. His staff bills at a rate of $50-150 dollars per hour depending on the task and their qualifications.

Flat Fee Representation from $500 to 1500 is available in Small Claims cases.

Family Law

Minimum Family Law Retainer: $3000.00

Mr. Syfert is extremely selective as to family law issues and family law clients. The minimum retainer is non-negotiable. Mr. Syfert will be happy to refer you to another attorney if he decides not to take your case.

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