What does a lawyer cost?
Transparent, fair — and in many cases no costs at all for you.
Get a cost estimate
Call us — we'll tell you in a few minutes what your case will cost.
069 / 999 99 33-10Book appointmentLegal expenses insurance?
We submit the coverage request for you at no cost and deal directly with your insurer.
Road accident: No cost to you
No fee as long as we recover even one cent from the other side.
We bill only the regulated RVG value directly against the third-party liability insurer. No financial risk for you.
In practice: if you were involved in an accident without fault or only partially at fault, legal fees form part of the damages claim. The third-party liability insurer is legally required to cover them.
The legal basis is the German Lawyers' Remuneration Act (RVG). Fees are based on the claim value — total damages including repair costs, rental car, depreciation, pain and suffering, and all other items we pursue for you.
We communicate directly with the insurer. You neither need to advance money nor wait — the entire settlement runs through us.
With legal expenses insurance: 0 € or just the deductible
If you have legal expenses insurance (RSV) covering traffic law or the relevant practice area, your insurer covers the legal fees. You pay only the agreed deductible — typically 150 to 300 €.
We submit the coverage request on your behalf at no charge and clarify directly with your insurer whether and to what extent cover exists.
Many clients are unsure what their RSV covers. Just call us — we'll check together before accepting the mandate.
Initial Consultation
For an initial consultation, § 34 RVG sets a statutory maximum of 190 € net (approx. 226 € incl. VAT) for consumers. We inform you upfront about any costs.
In many cases the initial consultation fee is credited against a subsequent mandate — we discuss this openly at the start of the conversation.
If you have legal expenses insurance, it usually covers the initial consultation too — just ask.
Other Practice Areas: RVG-based Fees
In areas such as tenancy law, employment law and property law (WEG), legal fees are governed by the RVG. The basis is the value in dispute — the economic value at stake.
The principle: the higher the value in dispute, the higher the fees — but also the more is at stake for you. Statutory fees are binding and predictable for both sides.
| Example situation | Value in dispute (approx.) | Total legal fees (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Eviction claim (rent 800 €/month) | 9.600 € | approx. 1,500–2,500 € |
| Unfair dismissal claim (salary 3,000 €/month) | 9.000 € | approx. 1,400–2,300 € |
| Deposit not returned | 1.500–3.000 € | approx. 350–700 € |
| Property owners' association dispute | 3.000–15.000 € | approx. 700–2,500 € |
Indicative values for a complete court proceeding incl. procedure and hearing fees. Actual costs depend on the specific case.
If you lose the case, you typically bear costs for both sides. We discuss the litigation risk honestly — we only recommend going to court when the prospects are good.
Criminal Law & Traffic Criminal Law
In criminal law there are two paths: as defence counsel of choice, we agree a fee based on the severity and scope of the proceedings. As court-appointed defence counsel, the fee is paid from public funds.
In traffic criminal law (drink driving, hit and run, coercion), many clients have legal expenses insurance that also covers criminal matters — we check this first.
Fines & Administrative Offences
For fine proceedings, legal fees are governed by the RVG and the amount of the fine. Depending on the proceedings and effort, costs for out-of-court representation typically range from 150 to 400 €.
Many traffic legal expenses policies also cover fine proceedings — ask about it. If the appeal succeeds and the fine is reduced or cancelled, the legal costs often pay for themselves economically.
Can't afford a lawyer? Check if legal aid applies.
If you cannot afford legal fees and have no legal expenses insurance, the court may grant legal aid (PKH). Requirements: the claim must have reasonable prospects and your income must fall below statutory limits. We check whether PKH applies — just contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Fees
Do I pay legal fees after a road accident?
No. If you were not at fault, the third-party liability insurer covers all legal fees. We bill the insurer directly.
Do I need to pay upfront?
For accident claims: no. We bill the insurer directly. For other mandates without RSV, we agree a cost advance on a case-by-case basis — we discuss this openly beforehand.
What happens if I lose the case?
If you lose, you generally bear your own legal costs as well as the opponent's. We discuss litigation risk honestly before recommending court proceedings. Without RSV, we check whether legal aid (PKH) is available.
Is a lawyer worthwhile after an accident if I have RSV?
Yes — and usually it costs you nothing. With RSV, your insurer covers the legal fees. We submit the coverage request at no charge.
What does an initial consultation cost?
Under § 34 RVG, maximum 190 € net (approx. 226 € incl. VAT) for consumers. In many cases the fee is credited against a subsequent mandate. With RSV, the initial consultation is usually covered.
Unsure what your case will cost?
Call us. We'll tell you honestly in a few minutes what to expect — and whether your RSV covers it.
Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Koch, Schatz & Kollegen | Tulpenhofstr. 1, 63067 Offenbach am Main