We pride ourselves on transparency and fairness in our pricing. We understand the importance of clear communication about our fees, ensuring that our clients are well-informed about their financial commitments. Please be aware that in legal proceedings, a certain degree of uncertainty is always present. As such, we are unable to guarantee specific outcomes or precisely forecast the time and effort required to achieve a satisfactory result. We approach each case with a commitment to diligence and professionalism, but these inherent uncertainties remain a part of the legal process. Terms and Conditions apply!
Consultation Fees
Our initial consultation fee is an extremely competitive ANG 95,-. This fee covers a 15 minute meeting with one of our experienced attorneys to discuss your case. Subsequent consultations are billed at the hourly rate.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to describe your case and discuss your desired outcomes. Our attorney will engage with you, asking pertinent questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of your situation. Following this, you’ll receive a summary assessment of your case, where we will explore various options, outline potential strategies, and discuss any associated risks.
This consultation is also the time for you to determine how you would like to proceed with our services. Our attorney will assess if our office can meet your specific legal needs and requirements. Additionally, the process of drafting an engagement letter and discussing the associated costs will be an integral part of this intake interview, ensuring clarity and transparency from the outset.
Hourly Rates
Our attorneys generally charge ANG 500,- per hour (including a fixed 7% office charge and 6% sales tax). The hourly rate may vary between ANG 400,- and ANG 850,- based on the complexity or urgency of the case and the experience level of the attorney.
Minimum Fees
We adhere to a minimum fee policy for all our legal services, ensuring that the high level of service and expertise we provide is appropriately compensated. The minimum fee is subject to variation based on the type of legal service required. Specifically, in civil and criminal cases, the minimum fee is set at ANG 2,000,- while for administrative/immigration cases, it is ANG 850,-.
Overhead Costs
In addition to the minimum fees, our firm charges a one-time overhead cost. This is equivalent to the hourly rate for civil or criminal cases. For immigration or administrative cases, the overhead costs range between ANG 450,- and ANG 800,-, determined by various factors. These overhead costs are encompassed within the stated minimum fees.
Fixed-Price Services
For specific services that are frequently requested, such as a straightforward uncontested divorce, filing a petition for residency or work permit, or handling a standard administrative objection (bezwaarprocedure), we offer the convenience of a fixed fee. This ensures transparency and predictability in your legal expenses for these types of services.
In cases that are more complex and don’t fall under these categories, our billing is based on an hourly rate. Understanding that budgeting is important, we are open to discussing a price ceiling to align with your financial planning.
Please note that our office does not engage in ‘no cure no pay’ arrangements. While this practice is not illegal within our jurisdiction, we uphold a policy against it based on our ethical standards. We believe in providing our clients with services that are both transparent and ethically sound.
Retainer Fees
At our firm, it is standard practice to require a retainer fee for most cases. This retainer is not solely an estimate of the hours we anticipate working on your case, billed at our hourly rate. More significantly, it is also intended to cover necessary costs associated with your case, such as court fees and other related expenses. The amount of the retainer is carefully determined based on the expected complexity and duration of your case and varies between ANG 1.500,- and ANG 5.000,-.
Our policy of requesting an advance on fees is part of our commitment to maintaining a smooth and respectful attorney-client relationship. This advance helps prevent potential disputes over payment defaults. The fee or deposit is held in trust, and we bill against these funds as we earn them through our legal services. We also want to highlight that legal matters can involve a variety of costs and expenses. In instances where these costs exceed the initial deposit, your attorney may request additional funds. This approach ensures that your legal matter can proceed without any financial interruptions, allowing us to focus on providing the best possible legal representation.
Costs and Expenses
Subsidized Legal Aid
For individuals in prison or those whose income falls below certain thresholds, our firm offers services based on subsidized legal aid (kosteloze rechtskundige bijstand). In these cases, the government covers the costs of your case, although there may be a requirement for you to contribute a portion. For detailed information about eligibility and the process for subsidized legal aid, please contact the Ministry of Social Affairs.
QUESTIONS?
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+599 (9) 461-4442
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© 2006-2024 Everything Legal B.V. All rights reserved. Everything Legal B.V. is a private limited liability company under Curaçao law, trading as The Law Office of Adir Ayubi and Ayubi-Haakmeester Advocaten. Everything Legal B.V. is registered in the trade register of the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce & Industry under file number 145567.