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Fees & How We Get Paid

You Pay Nothing Upfront – Our Fees Come From the Settlement

No Out-of-Pocket Costs – How Our Fees Work

One of the first questions we hear is, “How much is this going to cost me?” The answer is simple: nothing out of pocket. Our services are provided at no cost to you as the defendant. We don’t bill you by the hour or require upfront retainers. Instead, our fees and costs are paid directly from the settlements we secure on your behalf.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, when we win or settle your case, the defendants—such as credit bureaus, lenders, or debt collectors—are responsible for paying both your damages and our attorney’s fees. That means we look solely to the defendants we sue for payment, not to you. Whether we’re resolving your case with letters or filing a lawsuit, you will never be asked to pay our fees out of your own pocket, as long as you cooperate with us in good faith throughout the process.

Our objective is to repair your credit, secure the compensation you deserve, and hold the responsible parties accountable—all while making sure you have an experienced attorney fighting for you at zero out-of-pocket cost. The vast majority of our cases settle before trial, which allows us to achieve these goals efficiently and without financial stress to you.
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Taxes You May Have to Pay

While you won’t be paying us out of your own pocket, it’s important to understand that you may have tax obligations related to your settlement. Sometimes, when a defendant pays a settlement of $600 or more, they will issue an IRS Form 1099 to both you and our law firm for the same money. This can make it appear as though you received more than you actually did.

We are not tax attorneys and do not give tax advice, but here is what we’ve learned from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC): if you receive a 1099 for the full settlement amount, you generally only owe taxes on the portion you actually receive from us—after our fees and costs are deducted. For example, if the total settlement is $5,000 but you receive $1,000 after deductions, you may only owe taxes on the $1,000. However, you must still report the full 1099 on your tax return and note that your attorney also received a 1099 for the same amount.

Tax rules can be complex and change over time, so we strongly recommend speaking with a qualified tax professional to confirm your exact obligations. Our goal is to make sure you’re prepared so there are no surprises when tax season comes around.
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