A lawyer in the metropolitan Atlanta area with 33 years of legal experience is entitled to charge $250 and up for his services. My hourly rate is $250 including travel time for work on the client's case. Some cases, though, are charged on the basis of a flat, non-refundable fee. Examples of various fees are given below.

Please note that a written fee contract must be signed in all cases. Flat fees are fully earned, usually, when the case is disposed of finally in the trial court. A "case" is a legal proceeding with a particular case number. So, if a new indictment is filed after the first indictment is dismissed or quashed, a new fee must be paid and a new fee contract signed. Also, flat fee cases do not include appeals whether filed by the State or by the client. Also, related matters, such as administrative proceedings concerning driver's licenses, are not covered by an agreement to represent the client in the traffic case, such as driving under the influence.
 
 

Representative retainers and flat fees in seven metropolitan Atlanta counties
 

Flat, non-refundable, fees in criminal cases (paid in full and in advance prior to representation), includes jury trial, but no appeals:

Minor traffic ticket $1,000 and up ("and up" means that only after consultation and an understanding of the facts and necessary work is a precise flat non-refundable fee computable. The first amount is the minimum amount the client can expect to pay)
DUI: $5,000 and up
Other state court misdemeanors: $5,000 and up
Misdemeanor vehicular homicide: $10,000 and up
Superior Court felony: $10,000 and up
Major Superior Court felony (seven deadly sins): $25,000 and up
Federal Court felony: $25,000 and up
Murder: $100,000 and up
Death Penalty: $500,000 and up

Typical non-refundable retainers (paid in full and in advance prior to representation) on hourly fee cases ($250 per hour):

Uncontested divorce: $1,000
Contested divorce without custody or high asset value issues: $5,000
Contested divorce (high asset and/or custody of children): $10,000

Uncontested step-parent adoption: $2,500
Uncontested adoption: $5,000
Contested adoption: $10,000

Juvenile court matter: $1,000

Uncontested Probate matter: $1,000

Incorporation of small Georgia business: $750

Husband and Wife wills: $750