how much will attorney charge me to file a demur

by Kale Jakubowski 8 min read

How do I get a lawyer to file a demurrer?

May 07, 2015 · tel: (818) 906-3500. Private message. Call. Message. Posted on May 7, 2015. The first appearance filing fee which you will have to pay depends upon the amount in controversy. Most likely, it is $225 but it could be $385 or $435. For the fee schedule for the Los Angeles Superior Court, see: http://www.lacourt.org/forms/pdf/fees/fee-schedule-2015.pdf.

How much do attorney fees cost?

May 09, 2016 · 1. File the demurrer with the clerk. Make several copies of your demurrer. Take the original and all copies to the court where the complaint was filed. Ask the court clerk if you can file your demurrer. You may have to pay a filing fee, which will differ by court.

What is a demurrer in a lawsuit?

master:2021-10-25_10-02-22. In a criminal case, a demurrer is a defendant's assertion that the document laying out the charges—the complaint, information, or indictment —is legally insufficient. In demurring, the defendant claims that the charging document is so flawed that it can't be used to convict him or her.

When should I file a demurrer?

Perhaps the plaintiff neglected to request attorney’s fees or punitive damages, and the demurrer tipped them off. By not filing a demurrer, the plaintiff may view the lack of a challenge as a sign the complaint is strong and become incorrectly overconfident in his …

Should I file a demurrer?

In general, you should only file a demurrer in limited situations, most often when the statute of limitations bars a case from moving forward. In most other situations, a demurrer will not cause a lawsuit to be dismissed permanently.

How long do I have to respond to a demurrer in California?

Following a ruling on a demurrer, unless otherwise ordered, leave to answer or amend within 10 days is deemed granted, except for actions in forcible entry, forcible detainer, or unlawful detainer in which case 5 calendar days is deemed granted.

Can you file a demurrer after an answer California?

However, a demurrer to an answer must be filed and served within ten (10) days after service of the answer, unless the court orders otherwise. See C.C.P. § 471.5(b).Jan 22, 2020

What costs are recoverable in California?

A: California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1033.5 details recoverable costs. Such costs include court filing fees, law and motion fees, jury fees, expert witness fees (if ordered by the court), service of process, and transcriber expenses associated with depositions.Feb 23, 2016

What happens if a demurrer is sustained California?

when, after a demurrer to the complaint has been sustained, the plaintiff fails to amend it within the time allowed by the court, and the defendant moves for such dismissal."

Can you oppose a demurrer?

To oppose a defendant's demurrer, you can draft your own legal motion, called an “opposition to the defendant's demurrer.” This is a legal document that you file with the court. In the document, you will argue that your complaint was not defective.

How many times can you demurrer?

Generally, a complaint or cross-complaint shall not be amended more than three times in response to a demurrer, unless the pleading party can argue that additional facts can be pleaded such that there is a reasonable possibility the defect can be cured to state a cause of action.Apr 28, 2016

What happens if a demurrer is sustained?

In lay terms, a judge who sustains a demurrer is saying that the law does not recognize a legal claim for the facts stated by the complaining party. If the judge overrules a demurrer, the court is allowing the claim or case to proceed.

What are the grounds for demurrer in California?

Grounds for a demurrer include lack of jurisdiction, lack of legal capacity to sue, another action pending between the same parties on the same cause of action, a defect or misjoinder of parties, failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, uncertainty, or, if the action is found on a contract, ...

What are reasonable legal costs?

Reasonable legal costs means attorneys' fees, costs, charges, and all other litigation expenses in connection with the defense of a "claim" or negotiation of cleanup standards and representation before environmental agencies in connection with "discovery", limited to rates we actually pay to counsel we retain in the ...

What is a recoverable cost?

Recoverable Costs means the costs which (pursuant to a relevant provision) the Recovering Party is entitled to recover from the Reimbursing Party or the Reimbursing Party is required to bear or reimburse to the Recovering Party; Sample 1.

What is a 998 offer in California?

A § 998 offer is a statutory offer to compromise developed with the goal of encouraging settlement between parties. A § 998 offer is a reasonable, good faith offer proposed by either the defendant or the plaintiff.Jan 13, 2021

What happens if you don't file a demurrer?

If you fail to file the demurrer in time, then the judge might grant the plaintiff a default judgment against you. This means the plaintiff will win the lawsuit without you ever getting to defend yourself. With a default judgment in hand, the plaintiff can possibly garnish your wages or put a lien on your property.

How to serve a demurrer in court?

If the plaintiff has a lawyer, then send the demurrer to the plaintiff’s lawyer. You should ask the court clerk for acceptable methods of service in your court. Generally, you can serve notice by having someone 18 or older hand deliver a copy on the plaintiff or their attorney.

What is a demurrer in court?

In a demurrer, you argue that the plaintiff has not stated a legitimate legal claim and ask that the judge dismiss the complaint. To draft and file a demurrer, you need to become comfortable doing legal research. You will need to explain to the judge what the current law is and how the plaintiff’s complaint fails to allege sufficient information.

What happens if a plaintiff forgets to allege that your breach caused their injuries?

If the plaintiff forgot to allege that your breach “caused” their injuries, then the complaint is defective. In the typical demurrer, you will point out that the plaintiff did not allege all the elements for a cause of action. ...

What do you need to prove in a negligence claim?

For example, in order to bring a negligence claim, the plaintiff must prove that (1) you owed the plaintiff a duty of care, (2) you breached that duty, and (3) that duty caused (4) your damages.

How to demur from all causes of action?

If there is more than one cause of action you want to demur from, then you need to identify each one individually and explain why each one is insufficient. Use separate subject headings for each one: “Demurrer to Second Cause of Action,” “Demurrer to Third Cause of Action,” etc. ...

How to get a referral to an attorney?

You can get a referral to an attorney by contacting your state or local bar association, which should help you find a qualified lawyer. Once you have the name of a lawyer, call and schedule a consultation. Take your copy of the complaint and summons to show the attorney.

What is a demurrer in a charge?

A demurrer involves a consideration of the document itself —not any of the evidence. Some demurrers go to the heart of the charging document by alleging that it fails to state an offense, while others challenge its form—for example, by arguing that it's too vague or uncertain.

What is a demurrer in a criminal case?

In a criminal case, a demurrer is a defendant's assertion that the document laying out the charges—the complaint, information, or indictment —is legally insufficient. In demurring, the defendant claims that the charging document is so flawed that it can't be used to convict him or her. A demurrer involves a consideration ...

When do demurrers occur?

Demurrers usually occur at or before the time for entering a plea. If the court grants a demurrer, the prosecution can typically re-file charges. Similarly, some errors are so minor that the prosecution or judge can simply edit them and otherwise leave the charging document intact.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Attorney fees typically range from $100 to $300 per hour based on experience and specialization. Costs start at $100 per hour for new attorneys, but standard attorney fees for an expert lawyer to handle a complex case can average $225 an hour or more.

How to avoid disagreements with your attorney?

Avoid disagreements with your attorney about how much you owe by taking the time to review your attorney fee agreement carefully. You may also hear this document called a retainer agreement, lawyer fee agreement or representation agreement. Either way, most states require evidence of a written fee agreement when handling any disputes between clients and lawyers. You must have written evidence of what you agreed to pay for anyone to hold you accountable for what you have or have not spent.

What is retainer fee?

An attorney retainer fee can be the initial down payment toward your total bill, or it can also be a type of reservation fee to reserve an attorney exclusively for your services within a certain period of time. A retainer fee is supposed to provide a guarantee of service from the lawyer you've hired.

What is contingency fee?

An attorney contingency fee is only typical in a case where you're claiming money due to circumstances like personal injury or workers' compensation. You're likely to see attorney percentage fees in these situations to average around a third of the total legal settlement fees paid to the client.

What happens if you don't pay a flat fee?

However, if you don't comply with every single term listed on the flat fee contract, then your attorney still has the right to bill you for additional costs that may come up in your case. For instance, a flat fee lawyer working on an uncontested divorce case may still charge you for all court appearances.

What to ask when hiring an attorney?

When hiring your attorney, ask for a detailed written estimate of any expenses or additional costs. They may itemize each expense out for you or lump their fees all together under different categories of work. Lawyers may bill you for: Advice. Research.

Why is legal aid more affordable?

Legal aid billing rates are more affordable if the law firm has a sliding-scale payment system so that people only pay for what they can reasonably afford. Seeking out fixed fees in legal aid agencies is the best option for those in desperate need who cannot otherwise pay for a lawyer.

Why do attorneys charge different fees?

Some attorneys charge different amounts for different types of work, billing higher rates for more complex work and lower rates for easier tasks .

What expenses do clients have to pay for a lawyer?

Clients may also be responsible for paying some of the attorney or law firm’s expenses including: Travel expenses like transportation, food, and lodging; Mail costs, particularly for packages sent return receipt requested, certified, etc; Administrative costs like the paralegal or secretary work.

Why do lawyers need to put contracts in writing?

A written contract prevents misunderstandings because the client has a chance to review what the attorney believes to be their agreement.

What are the biggest concerns when hiring a lawyer?

Attorney fees and costs are one of the biggest concerns when hiring legal representation. Understanding how attorneys charge and determining what a good rate is can be confusing.

What is flat rate legal fees?

Flat rate legal fees are when an attorney charges a flat rate for a set legal task. The fee is the same regardless of the number of hours spent or the outcome of the case. Flat rates are increasingly popular and more and more attorneys are willing to offer them to clients.

What are the costs of a lawsuit?

Some common legal fees and costs that are virtually inescapable include: 1 Cost of serving a lawsuit on an opposing party; 2 Cost of filing lawsuit with court; 3 Cost of filing required paperwork, like articles forming a business, with the state; 4 State or local licensing fees; 5 Trademark or copyright filing fees; and 6 Court report and space rental costs for depositions.

What factors determine if a lawyer's fees are reasonable?

Factors considered in determining whether the fees are reasonable include: The attorney’s experience and education; The typical attorney fee in the area for the same services; The complexity of the case; The attorney’s reputation; The type of fee arrangement – whether it is fixed or contingent;

2 attorney answers

A Demurrer relies on the CCP code, sections 430.30, 430.40, 430.50, etc., and is filed and calendared and served the same way any other motion is made.

Pamela Koslyn

You file a demurrer like any other motion. A demurrer is essentially a motion challenging the adequacy of the complaint. You need a notice of demurrer, demurrer, and memorandum of points and authorities in support of demurrer.

How much does a lawyer charge for a will?

Depending on where you live and how complicated your family and financial circumstances are, a lawyer may charge anything from a few hundred to several thousand dollars for a will and other basic estate planning documents.

Why do estate lawyers charge flat fees?

Lawyers like flat fees for several reasons. First, they can use forms that they've already written – most estate planning lawyers have a set of standard clauses that they have written for different situations, which they assemble into a will that fits a new client's wishes. It won't take a lawyer much time to put your document together, ...

How much does a lawyer charge for a living trust?

It's rare to see a price of less than $1200 or $1500 for a trust. One caveat: After your will has been property signed and witnessed, you're done. But after a living trust is drawn up ...

How long does a lawyer keep track of their time?

Many lawyers keep track of their time in six-minute increments (one-tenth of an hour). That means that you'll never be billed for less than six minutes' of the lawyer's time, even if the lawyer spends just two minutes on the phone with you.

What is a durable power of attorney?

Durable power of attorney for finances. Advance directive (durable power of attorney for health care and living will—these may or may not be combined into one document, depending on state law) This is good advice because every adult should have these durable powers of attorney.

Does an estate planning attorney charge more than a general practitioner?

A lawyer who does nothing but estate planning will probably charge more than a general practitioner, but should also be more knowledgeable and efficient. (See details of hourly fees reported by estate planning attorneys around the country.)

Can a lawyer recommend a living trust?

(See the results of this national survey on how much lawyers charge to prepare estate planning packages .) A lawyer may also recommend a living trust, which will let your family avoid the expense and delay of probate court proceedings after your death.