A contingency fee can let you pursue a civil clergy abuse claim without paying a lawyer by the hour. But the lawyer's fee and the expenses of a case are different. Before hiring anyone, ask for a written explanation of both, including what you would owe if there is no recovery.
Money is a reasonable thing to ask about, even during a difficult conversation. You do not have to apologize for wanting to understand an agreement. A clear explanation should help you decide whether an arrangement works for you; it should not require you to guess what a reassuring phrase means.
What does a contingency fee mean?
In a contingency arrangement, the attorney's fee depends on the agreed outcome, usually a financial recovery. The contract sets the percentage or other method used to calculate that fee. There is no percentage that this article can quote as the price of your case.
For Texas representation, Rule 1.04(d) of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct requires a written contingency agreement. It must explain the fee calculation, any different percentages for settlement, trial or appeal, which expenses are deducted, and whether expenses come out before or after the fee calculation. It also requires a written closing statement explaining the outcome and, when there is a recovery, the amount paid to the client and how it was calculated.
Those are Texas requirements. If your claim belongs in another state, ask the lawyer handling it to explain that state's rules and the agreement that will apply.
Ask about expenses separately
An attorney's fee pays for legal work. Case expenses may include filing fees, obtaining records, depositions and expert work. Do not assume that a promise about attorney's fees answers every question about those expenses.
Ask these questions before signing:
- Who pays expenses while the case is underway?
- Are those amounts later repaid from a recovery?
- If there is no recovery, could I still owe expenses?
- Will I receive estimates or updates before substantial expenses are incurred?
- Who approves unusual expenses, and can I see an itemized account?
If the answers are given over the phone, ask where they appear in the written agreement. When wording seems inconsistent, ask for clarification before relying on it. Keep a copy of the final version you sign.
Why the order of deductions matters
Here is an arithmetic example, not a proposed fee, case valuation or forecast. Suppose a hypothetical recovery is $100,000, the agreed fee is 30%, and reimbursable expenses are $10,000. Assume there are no other deductions.
If the fee is calculated on the full recovery, it is $30,000. Subtracting that fee and $10,000 in expenses leaves $60,000. If expenses are deducted first, the fee is 30% of $90,000, or $27,000, leaving $63,000.
The same percentage produces a different result. Ask the lawyer to walk through an example using the actual contract, including any other deductions that might apply. An example should clarify the calculation, not imply what your claim will recover. Our article on clergy abuse settlement amounts discusses a different question: the factors that may affect a claim's value.
What work does the agreement cover?
Before comparing two proposals, check that they describe the same work. You can ask whether the engagement includes investigation, filing a lawsuit, trial, an appeal, or a bankruptcy claim if that becomes relevant. Ask what would require a separate agreement.
Also ask who will handle the matter day to day and whom you can contact with billing questions. If another firm may become involved, request an explanation of its role, any fee-sharing arrangement, and what you would be asked to approve. These questions are useful even when you already feel comfortable with the person you are meeting.
Questions to take into the consultation
You might bring this short list, or send it before the meeting:
- Is there a charge for this consultation?
- What would I pay at the start, during the case, and at its conclusion?
- What happens financially if we recover nothing?
- Does the percentage change at any stage?
- Can you show me a sample calculation and identify every possible deduction?
- What happens to fees and expenses if the representation ends early?
Answers about early termination depend on the contract and applicable law. Request an explanation of your particular terms rather than assuming that changing lawyers is either free or impossible.
Is a consultation a commitment to bring a lawsuit?
You can ask about fees and legal options before deciding whether to hire a firm. Ask the lawyer to confirm whether representation has begun and who is responsible for protecting any deadline. Do not assume that an inquiry or an appointment pauses a filing deadline.
For help organizing that conversation, see your first consultation with a clergy abuse lawyer. If you would like to speak with this firm, you can contact the Houston office and ask for the current fee terms. This article does not quote or replace a fee agreement.
Sources and scope
Sources checked September 24, 2026. The Texas rule discussion is limited to attorney fees; the questions and arithmetic example are general decision aids, not advice about a particular contract.
- Texas Courts: Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.04
- State Bar of Texas: preparing for a meeting with a lawyer
General information, not legal or clinical advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal options and deadlines depend on the facts and jurisdiction.