What legal help really costs in the U.S.
Lawyer rates, court filing fees, legal fee caps and free-help options, explained in plain English, with every number linked to the official source behind it.
Key numbers, checked October 2026
| What | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average lawyer billed rate (U.S.) | $349/hour | Clio, 2025 data |
| Filing a federal civil lawsuit | $405 | U.S. Courts |
| Chapter 7 / Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing | $338 / $313 | U.S. Courts |
| Social Security disability representative fee cap | 25% of past-due benefits, max $9,200 | SSA |
| Free legal aid income limit (1 person / family of 4, 48 states) | $19,950 / $41,250 a year | LSC, Federal Register |
Start here
- How much does a lawyer cost?Hourly, flat, retainer and contingency fees, and how to compare quotes.
- Lawyer consultation feesFree vs paid consultations and low-cost bar referral consults.
- Can't afford a lawyer?Legal aid, limited-scope help, clinics and fee waivers.
- Small claims court costs by stateLimits and filing fees for all 50 states.
- Divorce lawyer costFiling fees, retainers and contested vs uncontested.
- Contingency fees explainedPercentages, costs and legal caps, with a worked example.
Calculators
- Lawyer cost calculatorTurn a rate and hours, a flat fee or a percentage into a total.
- Contingency fee calculatorSee what you keep after the fee, costs and liens.
- Small claims fee lookupYour state's limit and filing fee, with sources.
- Settlement net calculatorWhat an offer leaves you after deductions.
State guides
Court fees, small claims limits, injury deadlines, fee caps and free legal help for each state.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Planning kits
Spreadsheets and printable organizers to compare lawyer quotes, budget a divorce, organize family information and prepare a small claims case. See the planning kits or get the free 10 questions to ask before you sign.
How this site works
LegalCostGuides is written by Javi Pérez, an independent researcher who is not a lawyer, so every figure links to the statute, court or agency page it comes from, and gaps are labeled instead of estimated. The site is funded by ads, LawDepot affiliate links and our own planning kits; none of them affects the figures. Read how we research.