Legal
Estimate how long a retainer lasts based on weekly hours and costs.
Adjust the weekly burn rate to see remaining weeks and balances.
An attorney retainer burn-down calculator helps you track and manage the depletion of your legal retainer funds over time. When you hire an attorney, you typically pay an upfront retainer—a deposit held in a trust account that covers future legal services. This calculator breaks down how your retainer is consumed by hourly billing, flat fees, and expenses as your case progresses. By visualizing the burn-down rate, you can anticipate when additional funding might be needed and manage your legal budget more effectively. This tool is essential for anyone engaged in ongoing legal matters such as litigation, contract negotiations, or ongoing business counsel, allowing for better financial planning and avoiding surprises when your retainer runs dry.
The calculator takes your initial retainer amount and applies deductions based on attorney hourly rates, billing increments, and case expenses. You input the attorney's hourly rate, estimated hours per billing period, and any flat fees or additional costs. The tool calculates the remaining balance after each billing cycle, showing you a timeline of retainer depletion. It factors in different billing scenarios—some attorneys bill in 15-minute increments, others in 30-minute chunks. The calculator projects when your retainer will be exhausted, allowing you to request a replenishment well in advance.
Remaining Retainer = Initial Retainer - (Hourly Rate × Hours Worked) - Flat Fees - Case Expenses. The burn-down rate per month equals Total Monthly Charges ÷ Initial Retainer Amount, converted to a percentage to show consumption speed.
A retainer is an upfront deposit that gives you guaranteed access to your attorney's time, with costs deducted from the balance. Hourly billing without a retainer means you pay invoices as charges accumulate. Retainers provide budget predictability and often lock in lower hourly rates, making them better for ongoing matters.
This depends on your retainer agreement. Some retainers are fully refundable if unused, while others are non-refundable advances. Always ask your attorney before signing—look for language about 'true retainer' (refundable) versus 'earned retainer' or 'advance on fees' (non-refundable).
Request itemized invoices showing dates, time entries, and descriptions of work performed. Compare your attorney's hourly rate to market rates for your jurisdiction. If entries seem excessive or duplicative, ask for clarification. Don't hesitate to discuss billing concerns—transparency is standard practice.
