Estimate how much a lawyer costs in the United States using our free Legal Cost Calculator. Compare average lawyer fees, hourly rates, and retainer costs by state and practice area — including divorce, alimony (spousal support), child support, criminal defense, bankruptcy, personal injury, estate planning, and immigration cases. Our projections are based on publicly available court filing data and bar association surveys. Get an instant attorney fee estimate and plan your legal budget with confidence.
Estimate your legal expenses in minutes using our free lawyer fee calculators. Select your state and practice area to compare average attorney hourly rates, retainer fees, and total case cost ranges based on publicly available court data and bar association surveys. Whether you're planning for divorce, criminal defense, bankruptcy, or immigration services, our tools help you understand expected legal costs before hiring an attorney.
Lawyer costs vary significantly by state due to local market demand, cost of living, and court filing fees. Select your state below to see average attorney hourly rates and total legal cost estimates.
Legal costs depend heavily on the type of case. Compare average lawyer costs by practice area below.
Understand the components that make up legal fees — from hourly rates and retainers to flat fees and contingency. Below is a breakdown based on industry data.
Most common model. Associates $200–$400, partners $450–$900. Varies by region and practice area.
Upfront deposit. Avg: Bankruptcy $4,015, Family $3,163, Criminal $2,816 (2026 data).
Flat fee for routine matters. Contingency: 25%–40% of recovery for personal injury cases.