You may have heard of a retainer agreement, also known as an engagement agreement. These terms are interchangeable, and both mean a contract between a lawyer and his/her client.
A retainer agreement describes the legal services the lawyer will provide to his/her client. It sets out the scope of what the lawyer will and will not do for the client.
A limited retainer is exactly what the name suggests: a retainer agreement where a lawyer agrees to do limited work for his/her client. Generally, a limited retainer is a hybrid of the client having no legal representation for some parts of their legal matter and a lawyer providing legal services for other parts of their legal matter.
Some examples where you might consider a limited retainer include:
In these situations, as well as others, a limited retainer may work for you.
A limited retainer is not appropriate for every legal matter. At the same time, they are becoming more common.
Limited retainers may be valuable when you want the benefit of a lawyer’s assistance, but do not need that assistance throughout the entirety of a legal matter. The availability of legal information from both the Internet and increased resources in Medicine Hat has assisted people in exploring and dealing with their own legal matters. As a result, they may only require a limited retainer.
Also, the financial benefits of limited retainers may be appealing, particularly in the current economy. Hiring a lawyer may be something you have a challenge affording and your budget may mean you cannot commit to the cost of a full retainer.
It is important clients understand all their choices when they think about hiring a lawyer. If you find yourself in a situation where you might benefit from legal advice on a timely basis, consider a limited retainer. Do some research about lawyers who do work in the area where you need legal advice or assistance and then ask your lawyer about a limited retainer.
If you have any questions about limited retainers or when they may be beneficial, please contact one of our lawyers at (403) 527-4411 or email us at lawyers@pritchardandco.com