Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why choose our law firm?
Our firm stands out from others for a variety of reasons, not least of which is our devotion to and experience in advocacy for our clients. Our firm has experience in most areas of law, with the exception of criminal law. Our lawyers use a team-based approach so you can rest assured that every attorney at our firm is contributing their cumulative legal skills to a case.
What do you charge?
Lawyers are paid under various fee arrangements which we would be happy to discuss with each client at the time of a consultation. GST is added to all fees.
Hourly fee
On an hourly fee basis, fees are based on an hourly rate for services rendered. We would provide you with a detailed bill showing the work we have done on your case, monthly or at the end of your case. Please call our office for our current rates.
Please note that we do not charge for personal injury consultations.
Contingency fee
Contingency fees are typically applied in personal injury cases. On a contingency fee basis, your legal fees will be based on the amount of recovery we get for you. If we do not recover any money, then there will be no fee to you. Not all cases qualify for the contingency fee.
Other potential fees
A pre-payment (retainer) will often be required in order to begin to process your matter and you will be kept advised as to how that pre-payment is being used. Bills will be sent to you periodically showing your charges and payments.
We try to keep legal fees as reasonable as possible but cannot provide an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to bring a matter to conclusion. There are a variety of factors that may affect cost including the complexity of the matter and the difficulty of the other side. Please feel free to discuss fees with your lawyer.
Flat fee
We will provide certain types of routine legal services on a flat fee basis, subject to certain circumstances which cause us to increase our fee to reflect the additional time required. Typically, we charge flat fees for the following services: residential purchases and sale, refinances, simple wills, enduring powers of attorney, incorporations, extra territorial registrations, and annual filings for corporations.
We additionally charge clients for all expenses which our firm incurs in the course of a transaction or litigation. This includes, among other things, filing fees, registration fees, search fees and permits.
Please call our office for more information on our flat-fee services.
Can you do my will?
Yes we can. The first step in preparing a will is for you to complete a Wills Questionnaire. You can obtain a Wills Questionnaire by stopping by our office or by emailing info@tuckerandcompany.ca. The Wills Questionnaire provides our office with basic information about yourself and your intentions. It also provides you with various matters to think about prior to meeting with the lawyer. Once your wills questionnaire is complete you can drop it off at the firm or return it by fax or email.
We prepare most wills and enduring powers of attorney on a flat fee basis.
Can you help me buy or sell my house?
Yes we can. We can also provide you a full estimate of the cost of your transaction.
If you wish to retain our services and you are using the assistance of a real estate agent to buy or sell, please ask the agent to send the necessary paperwork to our office.
If you wish to purchase a property from someone who is selling privately (i.e. without the assistance of a real estate agent) please contact our office to arrange an appointment so we may assist you in prepare an Offer to Purchase. If your offer is accepted and your purchase ultimately proceeds to closing there is no additional fee associated with preparing an offer to purchase (we reserve the right to charge a fee if your offer is not accepted or otherwise does not proceed).
Please note that an offer to purchase is one of the most important documents in the purchase/sale process. We do not recommend using forms found on the internet or otherwise entering into an agreement without the assistance of a real estate professional.