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What are charging to appear in court?
- Thread starter Kman
- Start date
Terrel L. Shields
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2002
- Professional Status
- Certified General Appraiser
- State
- Arkansas
All you can get.
Asking about fees is a FTC issue. So, be careful.
First off, I have an hourly rate. I would charge X dollars per hour regardless of if court testimony or other consulting service. And, i would charge a minimum of half a day (4 hours.) I would not charge a different rate in court than I would for doing a report by the hour. It is not unknown to be asked explicitly how you were being compensated.
Assuming you have to do a report for the court appearance, that's my first charge and again I would charge by the hour. I would also provide all reports on a narrative, and I would provide a report that is NOT a restricted report. I would also charge a fee for travel over 30 miles. I once was compelled to testify in the state capitol 200 miles away. So, I got mileage and a motel charges added to the bill. If they want to meet and prep pre-trial that counts as time as well.
I have had some issue with getting paid for being deposed as often these are not related to expressing an opinion but are 'facts' and tend to be a witness charge at best, not a fee.
Asking about fees is a FTC issue. So, be careful.
First off, I have an hourly rate. I would charge X dollars per hour regardless of if court testimony or other consulting service. And, i would charge a minimum of half a day (4 hours.) I would not charge a different rate in court than I would for doing a report by the hour. It is not unknown to be asked explicitly how you were being compensated.
Assuming you have to do a report for the court appearance, that's my first charge and again I would charge by the hour. I would also provide all reports on a narrative, and I would provide a report that is NOT a restricted report. I would also charge a fee for travel over 30 miles. I once was compelled to testify in the state capitol 200 miles away. So, I got mileage and a motel charges added to the bill. If they want to meet and prep pre-trial that counts as time as well.
I have had some issue with getting paid for being deposed as often these are not related to expressing an opinion but are 'facts' and tend to be a witness charge at best, not a fee.
jay trotta
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Connecticut
When I would do these, would use a Time/Value per half day, plus expenses or flat rate.
Gobears81
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2013
- Professional Status
- Certified General Appraiser
- State
- Illinois
I do not typically charge for an hour or so of telephone or preparation time, which is often time spent just re-acquainting with an appraisal that we haven't given much thought to for several months or more. Some lawyers will talk strategy for several hours beforehand, so I would charge for this. Keep a log of this time spent, plus travel time, mileage, time waiting for the hearing or trial (which is often more than what your actual testimony time is). If it is in another locale, charge for mileage also. Make sure that everyone is on the same page beforehand that the testimony charge is not embedded in the base fee for the original appraisal.
Terrel L. Shields
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2002
- Professional Status
- Certified General Appraiser
- State
- Arkansas
What you charge per hour or job is up to you but just be prepared to address to the client the need to include for preparation time, travel time, etc.
Joe Flacco
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2013
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Maryland
Fee for appraisal up front. Then billed hourly rate in 6 minutes increments.
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