Are attorney fees typically charged on a per-hour basis?

Attorney fees are often charged on a per-hour basis, which means clients typically pay for the time that the attorney spends working on their case. This hourly billing method is common in many areas of law, including but not limited to family law, criminal defense, and corporate law. The rationale behind this approach is that it allows for a transparent way for clients to be billed for the actual time and effort dedicated to their legal matters.

Clients may receive detailed invoices that itemize the specific tasks performed and the amount of time taken for each task, helping them understand the costs associated with their legal representation. While some attorneys may offer flat fees for certain types of cases or charge contingency fees in specific situations, the hourly rate remains the standard method of billing for many legal services.