Refund Policy

Retainer Fees

Many of our legal services require an upfront retainer fee before work begins. Retainer fees are deposited into our client trust account and are used to pay for legal services as they are rendered.

You will receive regular billing statements showing the work performed and the remaining balance in your retainer account.

Eligibility for Refund

You are eligible for a refund if:

• You terminate our services within 30 days of your initial retainer payment
• There are unused funds remaining in your retainer account
• You have fulfilled all financial obligations for work already completed

Refund Calculation

Your refund amount will be calculated as follows:

Costs incurred may include filing fees, court costs, expert witness fees, copying charges, postage, and other expenses related to your case.

Refund Process

To request a refund:

1. Submit a Written Request: Send a written request for termination of services and refund to our office by mail or email.
2. Final Billing: We will prepare a final billing statement showing all work performed and costs incurred.
3. File Return: We will return your file and all original documents to you.
4. Refund Issuance: Your refund will be issued within 14 business days after the final billing is prepared and approved.

Contingency Fee Cases

For cases handled on a contingency fee basis (typically personal injury cases), no upfront payment is required, and therefore this refund policy does not apply. In contingency fee cases, you owe no attorneys' fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. However, you may still be responsible for costs incurred on your behalf if you terminate our representation before the case is resolved.

Non-Refundable Amounts

The following amounts are not eligible for refund:

• Fees for legal work already performed
• Court costs and filing fees already paid
• Expert witness fees and other third-party costs
• Flat fees for completed services (e.g., document preparation)
• Administrative costs incurred on your behalf

After 30 Days

If you terminate our services after 30 days from your initial payment, you are still entitled to a refund of any unused retainer balance. However, we reserve the right to deduct a reasonable administrative fee to cover the costs of closing your file and transferring your case to another attorney.

Disputes

If you disagree with any charges on your final billing statement, please contact us immediately. We are committed to resolving billing disputes fairly and promptly. If we cannot reach an agreement, you may have the right to submit the dispute to the Virginia State Bar's Fee Dispute Resolution Program.

Contact Us

For questions about our refund policy or to request a refund, please contact us:

Mary G. Commander Attorney at Law P.C.
5442 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk, VA 23509
Phone: (540) 683-5370
Email: marycommander@commanderlaw.co