Fees

Attorney Thomas M. Vockrodt has over thirty years of experience and he has the highest-available legal ability rating from attorneys and judges. He becomes personally knowledgeable about every client's financial situation prior to taking the case. His fees are based upon the complexity of the matter and the time required by him and his staff to complete the legal task at hand. The current policy on fees (subject to periodic updating) is as follows:

Initial Office Consultation	$50.00. If you decide to continue and sign a retainer agreement with me, the $50.00 will be credited to the initial retainer fee requirement.
Bankruptcy Flat Fee Chapter 7	In Bankruptcy cases and in certain other kinds of case, I will charge a flat fee. In Bankruptcy cases Chapter 7 clients fall into two major categories, consumer debtors and business debtors. The consumer debtors have no business debts. The business debtors generally have both business debts and consumer debts. The Flat Fee for consumer debtors currently falls within a range of $1,500.00 - $2,000.00, depending always on the unique factual and legal complexities each debtor brings to the table. The Flat Fee for business debtors falls within the range of $1,700.00 to $2,500.00. What the Flat Fee includes: Pre-bankruptcy counseling and discussion of alternatives. Preparation of the petition, creditor's matrix, schedules, statement of financial affairs and other papers relating to the filing. One amendment of the creditor's matrix, schedules and/or statement of financial affairs. Representation at the First Meeting of Creditors. Notifying creditors of the bankruptcy filing and handling inquiries from creditors regarding the bankruptcy filing. What the Base Fee does not include: Adversary proceedings of any sort, including objections to discharge/dischargeability. More than one amendment of the matrix, schedules or statement of financial affairs. Motions to Lift Stay. Objections to Exemptions. Motions for Sanctions/Contempt. Purchasing assets from the Trustee. Rule 2004 Examinations. Motions to Avoid Lien. Any other legal proceedings or legal work not listed above. Reaffirmation Agreements.
Bankruptcy Flat Fee Chapter 13	The attorney offers Flat Fees in Chapter 13 cases; nevertheless, they can't be categorized since Chapter 13 cases are more complex than Chapter 7 cases. Generally, Chapter 13 cases are more expensive since they demand a greater expenditure of attorney time.
Hourly Rate:	Representation other than on the above Flat Fee basis is at the firm's Hourly Rate then in effect. Currently Thomas Vockrodt's time is being billed at $225 per hour. This rate is subject to periodic adjustment.
Contingent Fee	In some cases, Mr. Vockrodt may charge a contingent fee which varies from 25-50 percent of the gross proceeds of the case.
Filing Fees & Other Expenses:	Filing Fees and other expenses are not included in the above rates.