Does an attorney charge to keep you up to date on your case?

Question

I've retained an attorney for a case I have up coming. The attorney charges $200/hr. I haven't heard from him in a couple of days, and I was hoping to get an update on how the case was going, but I don't want to be charged an hourly rate for him to talk to me. Do lawyers charge for ANYTHING dealing with your case, including a phone call to update you?!

Answer 1

Attorneys aren't selling a tangible product.  What you are paying for is their time and expertise.  So, yes, an attorney will charge for the time spent on a case, including phone calls with the client.

(I've only worked for public interest firms that provide free legal services--so I'm not justifying this out of self-interest.)

Answer 2

a lawyer will charge just to look at a piece of paper for you.

Answer 3

yes my x had a lawyer when he was going through a custody battle and he charged him whenever he would talk to him on the phone for a certain amount of time. he started talking to the lawyers secretary and he wasnt charged when he talked to her.

Answer 4

They charge for everything.