Fee & Retainer Policy

Transparency & Partnership

You deserve to understand exactly how your money is handled. This policy summarizes how retainers and fees work at CDH Law Office, in plain English.

The full details of your payment structure are always found in your signed Flat Fee Agreement or Hourly Representation Agreement.

I. Your Funds Stay in Trust Until Earned

When you pay a retainer or a flat fee, that money does not go to the firm. It is deposited into a secure Client Trust Account (COLTAF)—which is regulated by the State of Colorado.

It remains your money until it is earned according to your fee agreement. Funds are never moved out of trust until work is completed or a milestone is reached.

II. Hourly Representation (Short Summary)

If you are working with the firm on an hourly basis, your agreement explains:

  • the hourly rate

  • how time is billed

  • the initial retainer

  • how replenishment works

This policy simply confirms that all hourly work is billed only after it is performed, and you receive clear invoices explaining each entry. Details appear in your Hourly Representation Agreement.

III. Flat Fee Representation (Short Summary)

Flat fees provide predictability. The full fee structure, including when fees are earned and any trial‑related fees, is outlined in your Flat Fee Agreement.

This policy simply confirms that:

  • flat fees are placed in trust

  • they are earned in steps based on legal milestones

  • unearned fees remain your money until earned

IV. Costs & Expenses

Legal fees cover attorney time and expertise. Outside costs — such as investigators, experts, transcripts, or testing — are separate. We will always get your approval first before incurring any cost.

If a deposit for expenses is needed, it is also held in trust until used.

V. Closing the File & Returning Funds

When your case ends, we complete a final accounting. Any unused trust funds — for fees or expenses — are refunded to you.

If a small balance remains and we cannot reach you after reasonable attempts, the firm may close the file and apply unused amounts to administrative costs, as explained in your fee agreement.

Questions?

If you ever have questions about your bill, your trust balance, or how fees work, please ask — we will walk through it together.

CDH Law Office, PLLC

Policy: Fee & Retainer Policy
Last Updated: 2026-02-18

If you are a visual learner, below is a graphic to help explain the hourly and flat fee policies: