A Brief Overview of Boleman Law Firm
For more than two decades, Boleman Law Firm, PC has established itself as a trusted name when it comes to effective and affordable legal representation. Founded in 1997 by Douglas A. Boleman, the firm’s dedication to treating their clients like family—and resolving legal matters as quickly and efficiently as possible—has positioned them among the most qualified and reliable law firms in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern United States.
The primary focus of Boleman Law Firm is bankruptcy; however, in the years since their establishment, the firm has also expanded their knowledge base, added practice areas, and become well versed in a wide array of legal matters, including foreclosure defense, debt settlement, and more. The firm’s founding attorney Stephen Boleman, Esq . , is a member of both the American Bankruptcy Institute and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. He has spent over a decade helping businesses, families, and individuals through bankruptcy. In addition to assisting clients with bankruptcy, he is an experienced foreclosure defense attorney who is knowledgeable in Virginia foreclosure processes and litigation.
Stephen and his dedicated team of attorneys have built the firm to provide clients with a full suite of legal services, including mortgage and car loan modification to help people avoid home foreclosure and law counsel for individuals, families, corporations, and partnerships at all income levels. Their reputation as reliable, honest, and efficient advocates has ensured that the Boleman Law Firm is one of the most sought after law firms on the East Coast.
How Boleman Law Firm Fees Work
Boleman Law Firm employs a few different fee structures depending on the service being provided. In most cases, services are charged on an hourly, flat fee, or contingency basis. The type of fee charged typically depends on the nature of the work that needs to be done and the amount of time that it is expected the work will take.
If you hire the firm to handle a personal injury case on a contingency basis, no money is due upfront and you only pay the firm if the case settles or you are awarded damages at trial. On the other hand, if you hire the firm to draft a will, a flat fee will be charged. If you are filing for divorce and hire the firm to draft and file all of the papers necessary, a flat fee will also be charged. When you come into Boleman Law Firm for a consultation about your bankruptcy case and decide to retain the firm to represent you in the bankruptcy proceeding, you will be charged an hourly rate until such time that the firm is paid. Rather than charging clients for each minute of time, it has been our experience that it is easier to bill for an hour, or a portion thereof. In these cases, the client is charged for approximately one hour of time for each meeting that occurs.
From time to time, Boleman Law Firm will provide some pro bono (no fee) legal services. When this occurs the client is not charged for the services being rendered.
Factors Affecting Your Legal Fees at Boleman Law Firm
Like any business, Boleman Law Firm evaluates its fee structure through a variety of lenses. Legal fee factors are not necessarily intentional in their pricing; many variables exist which can make or break the bottom line. For this reason, it’s especially important to know what you are going into when you contract for services and sign an engagement agreement. There are three major variables that come into play: complexity, expertise, and outcomes.
Complexity: The success of a business lawyer in representing you hinges on a few elements of complexity: industry/operations, consequences, and legal avenues. The industry you’re in affects how a lawyer handles your case. Be it healthcare, manufacturing, IoT, software development, or retail, lawyers have their work cut out for them if they need to understand what makes your business tick in order to best advise it. Similarly, the operations of your business need to be understood as they relate to your legal case. Are you in the service industry? Do you have a retail outlet? These businesses operate differently, and therefore warrant different approaches to legal solutions.
Next, the consequences to your business will dictate when and how you need to use a business lawyer. A deed for a commercial lease may be less complex than a deed for a residential mortgage, so understanding how much depth to go on a recorded deed is important to a competent lawyer.
Finally, the legal avenues available to you will also dictate the complexity of your case. Does your lawyer need to go before the courts? What kind of jurisdiction are they litigating in? All of these factors add up to a singular complexity value that determines how much time would be required from a lawyer, and therefore how much you will pay for your lawyer’s services. In terms of Boleman Law Firm, we are a "full service" law firm, which means that we are well-versed and experienced in a variety of fields of law. We pride ourselves on doing the job right, not simply doing the job. That means taking on less business than other firms but knowing when to pursue a case and when to consult with another attorney or refer you to a partner that may help meet your needs. Compromise and convenience do not always align – and that’s a good thing. Your outcomes are more important than your costs, and we believe that we do a great job of balancing those needs in our fees at Boleman Law Firm.
How Do Boleman Law Firm Fees Compare to Their Competitors?
While some small businesses may face the highest legal fees, the statistics show that employers with fewer than 100 employees on average spend between $7,500 and $15,000 on legal fees per year. It’s worth noting that employers with 10-19 employees pay an average of $7,500 per year.
Although some of our competitors in the Virginia area, such as Yates and Yates, charge an hourly rate that’s a bit lower than ours, it’s the range of legal services and counseling provided by Boleman Law Firm that makes us competitive. Our clients know exactly what we’re charging them for, and that means you’ll never be surprised by a bill at the end of the month. This is due to our "flat fee" billing with no hidden costs or surprises; if you need more work done or if circumstances have changed, then we easily adjust your fee. Boleman Law Firm was created to be accessible to small businesses. While many other law firms tend to be more expensive, Boleman Law Firm is more affordable — yet this doesn’t impact the incredible level of service we’re able to provide.
Options for Payment and Flexibility in Legal Fees
Boleman Law Firm offers various payment options and a degree of flexibility to ensure that clients can manage the legal expenses associated with their services. The firm accepts multiple forms of payment, including credit cards, cash, checks, and money orders. This wide range of payment methods allows clients to choose the most convenient option for their circumstances.
When it comes to flexibility, Boleman Law Firm understands that each client’s financial situation may be different. They may offer clients the possibility to establish a payment plan tailored to their needs, particularly for legal services that may accrue unexpected or substantial costs. This proactive approach helps clients avoid financial strain while receiving the legal representation they require .
Moreover, in limited circumstances, the firm may extend discounts or modified pricing structures to clients. These considerations are typically reserved for specific cases or to assist clients who are undergoing financial hardship. It is recommended that prospective clients inquire about any such options during their initial consultations.
The personalized financial arrangements that Boleman Law Firm may offer demonstrate their commitment to meeting the diverse needs of their clients while providing top-notch legal representation. By accommodating clients on financial matters, the firm strives to alleviate some of the stress associated with legal proceedings.
Boleman Law Firm Clients Review Price and Service
Testimonials from Past Clients on Fees and Services
Past clients have described their experience in working with Boleman Law Firm in general and the filing of bankruptcy in particular. Testimonials vary in content but can focus on fees and costs, services and support, and communication.
"They were on top of my case……organized and precise…..right to the point."
"Being in debt is STRESSFUL! But this is the beginning of my new life and my credit should be back on track within a year or two. My attorney was punctual and was always available to answer any questions I had."
"Very friendly atmosphere, staff was very knowledgeable and personal."
"My attorney set me at ease. He was well seasoned in the law and he and the staff knew exactly what they were doing. They were able to get me a great return on my bankruptcy, all the fees were minimal, and every thing went very smooth in the process."
"I knew I would be treated fairly and they did more then expected."
"They were great! Made a stressful situation livable. Helped me get through it, with a plan to accomplish my goals and dreams for my financial future."
"My attorney was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He was there when I needed him and answered my questions. Overall a great experience."
"Our case was handled in an expedient and a professional matter that exceed all our expectations. My wife and I are extremely satisfied with your law firm."
"I was surprised to hear how affordable the fee structure was. I didn’t have to jump through hoops to get this paid off and I am saving a considerable amount of money each month. Talk about a fresh start! I couldn’t be happier."
Advice on Making the Most of Boleman Law Firm Fees
Like any other law firm, Clients may find Boleman Law Firm Inc. to be sometimes costly. Even so, many legal issues are more important to people than money, and they will go in debt for their case. However, there are ways to minimize legal fees.
If the paralegal or attorney is rushing the client, then the client should ask for clarification of the bill. If a person has some specific questions about the bill, then he or she should call for clarification. The client may say "I’m not sure why I was billed for this charge. Could you please explain it to me?" Clients should remember that lawyers have received advanced education and have experience to earn the fee. The client has value too. If the same charge appears often, then Clients should ask about it. The client may say "The bill indicated a $75 charge for filing a complaint against my ex-wife. Then a similar entry appeared a month later with the same fee. Could you please tell me what is going on here? Many lawyers will just give the client some type of break on the charge if you say something. Clients should use their best judgment and try to decide if the money is worth it to the law firm. Sometimes it may be better to push back a little bit and spend some time working out a compromise than it is to pay more money. Sometimes a lawyer will push back if the charge is something that is simply part of providing the service. One example of this would be if the client wants to pay less than market value and the firm would know other firms that will charge the same amount that is being charged. It’s okay to ask questions and work to agree on fees. Lawyers hate paying fees for something that they were not expecting – or do not understand. It’s the same situation when a client hates the unexpected charge. Both sides need to understand. The client can ask questions, and the lawyer will try to be clear about the charge. Sometimes fees are part of the lawyer’s policy. A client may want to negotiate at times, but the lawyer may well know that the charge is fair and consistent with charges from other lawyers. The lawyer might explain to the client that it is not an overcharge at all. When this occurs Clients may want to get their quotes from other firms.
Final Thoughts: Are Boleman Law Firm Services Worth Their Price?
After handing over a hefty retainer, it’s natural to feel a little nervous about whether the investment will pay off. The key is to consider the quality of service received for the amount of money paid. This is a question only you can answer for yourself, but there are a few practical questions you can use to weigh the value of the service.
One, was your case handled professionally? Did you receive updates when expected? Were your calls returned in a timely manner?
Two, was the case handled well? Were the facts and law of your case adequately presented? Were these presentations properly tailored to the situation?
Three, do you think your outcome was as good as possible under the circumstances?
By answering these questions honestly, you can determine if you got what you paid for . In some cases, you may not be able to. In that case, a discussion with your lawyer or another professional could be beneficial. While consulting is an expense, it could provide you with the feedback needed to evaluate your experience.
This article has highlighted a few very important details to take into account when selecting a lawyer. Many of these factors should be taken into account before even hiring on a lawyer. If you’re currently unhappy with the service you’re receiving, you may have good reason to be. After reading this article, you may feel better prepared to discuss your concerns with your attorney.