Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Be Careful of Presidents' Day Deadlines

Many courts in Georgia are not closed for Presidents' Day (Monday, February 18th).  If you have a filing deadline that falls on Monday, call the court to see if it will br opened.

Extreme caution should be exercised for dispossessory answers that are due this Monday. Unlike regular court actions, opening a default in an dispossessory action is nearly impossible.  As a result, a landlord may apply for a writ on Tuesday if an answer isn't filed timely.  Once the judge grants the writ, it's only a matter of time before the Sheriff/Marshal comes to supervise the eviction.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Posted Rates for Tenants in Georgia

The fees below are subject to change without notice.  Also, the Firm offers lower hour rates for established clients.

Effective September 30, 2019, the Firm will no longer represent residential tenants.

Initial Consultation (first office visit only) - Residential - $170/hour

Initial Consultation (first office visit only) - Commercial - $350/hour

Review leases - $250/hour

Draft a demand for repairs  $450 + postage
Increased effective 4/1 to $600.00

Draft answer and counterclaim for tenant to file - $150/hr.
Effective 4/1 -
Dispossessory answer - $250.00
Magistrate statement of claim answer - $350.00
Draft counterclaim - $350.00

Represent tenant with counterclaim - 25% of what is recovered in Magistrate Court
35% of what is recovered in State/Superior Court without jury
45% of what is recovered in State/Superior with jury

Preparation for case in magistrate court - $200 for one hour and $250/hour for each hour thereafter

Copies, parking, transportation are charge to the courthouse and meeting

Trial date residential -  $600 first two hours and $275/hour for each hour thereafter

Trial date commercial - $350/hour

Tenant is responsible for all expenses in the case.
Phone calls, e-mails, texts - $250/hr.
Any activity not listed above $300/hr.

APPEALS (STATE OR SUPERIOR)

$250/hr. with a $2,500 initial retainer
Plus expenses

REMOVALS TO FEDERAL COURT

$300/hr with a $3,000 initial retainer
Plus expenses

The Firm does not handle cases that are in bankruptcy.

APPEALS (APPELLATE OR SUPREME)
$300/hour plus copies and posta

Posted Rates for Landlords in Georgia

The fees below are subject to change without notice.  Also, the Firm offers lower hour rates for established clients.

Initial Consultation (first office visit only) - Residential - $170/hour

Initial Consultation (first office visit only) - Commercial - $350/hour

Review leases - $350/hour

Draft a pay or quit notice (each notice) - $200 + postage

Draft dispossessory affidavit for failure to pay rent - $200 + filing fees and service

Draft dispossessory affidavit on hold over - $175/hour + filing fees and service

Draft dispossessory affidavit on tenant at sufferance - $300/hour + filing fees and service

Preparation for case - $350 for one hour and $300/hour for each hour thereafter

Copies, parking, transportation are charge to the courthouse and meeting

Trial date residential -  $600 first two hours and $275/hour for each hour thereafter

Trial date commercial - $350/hour

Obtain writ - $175 plus court and sheriff/marshal fee (transportation fee may apply)

Appear on day of eviction - $280/hour

Landlord is responsible for all expenses in the case.
Phone calls, e-mails, texts - $300/hr.
Any activity not listed above $350/hr.

APPEALS (STATE OR SUPERIOR)

$350/hr. with a $3,500 retainer
Plus expenses

REMOVALS TO FEDERAL COURT

$300/hr with a $3,000 initial retainer
Plus expenses

The Firm does not handle cases that are in bankruptcy.

APPEALS (APPELLATE OR SUPREME)
$350/hour plus copies and postage




Security Deposit Disputes -- Narrow Representation

Effective February 15, 2019, the Firm will represent all landlords in defense of withholding tenants' security deposits.  However, for tenants, unless there is another issue relating to wrongful eviction, conversion, or failure to repair, the Firm will no longer handle security deposit issues for tenants.

Sunday, February 3, 2019

Why Give a 5 Minute Free Screening Consultation?

The Firm gives  free 5 minute screening consultations for several reasons:
(1) the schedule limitations of the attorney and the potential clients prevent emergency meetings;
(2) a brief explanation of the matter by the caller can often tell us if the Firm cannot assist;
(3) 50% of callers' questions can be answered in 5 minutes;
(4) a brief conversation can often  tell both parties if their personalities can mesh to form a long-term attorney-client relationship; and
(5) nobody wants to waste time, travel,  PTO, and $85.00/30 minutes to be told within 5 minutes of the office consultation that the Firm cannot help.