Pricing

Fees and Legal Aid

Fee Schedule & Billing Information

Initial Consultation: The first contact and case assessment is free of charge. Please briefly describe your situation, and we will jointly determine the next steps.

Billing Basis: I bill based on time spent. The hourly rate is always agreed upon individually for each engagement.

Hourly Rates

• 288.65 € – 338.85 € per started hour (incl. VAT 25.5%)
• 230 € – 270 € per started hour (excl. VAT)

Minimum Billing

• A new engagement is billed for a minimum of one hour.
• Telephone consultations and email correspondence are subject to a minimum charge of 15 minutes.

Court Appearances

• The minimum billing for court representation is three hours: 865.95 € – 1,016.55 € (incl. VAT).
• Court proceedings lasting longer than three hours are billed according to actual time spent, charged in started hourly increments.

Payment Terms

• Payment is due within 21 days.
• Installment plans and extended payment terms are available by separate agreement.

Additional Costs: I charge separately for official fees, authority decisions, and other disbursements (e.g., travel expenses, and unusually high postage or copying costs) incurred on your behalf.

Surcharges: The hourly rate is increased by 20–50% for matters handled on an urgent basis, outside normal office hours, or in a foreign language. Any surcharge will be communicated to you in advance.

Value Added Tax (VAT): The current VAT rate is 25.5%. If the VAT rate changes, our prices will be adjusted accordingly.

Legal Expenses Insurance

Legal expenses insurance can cover court costs. This coverage is often included in your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy.

Right to State-Funded Attorney (Legal Aid)

You may be eligible for legal aid funded by the state, either at 100% coverage or with a partial co-payment, if your monthly disposable income falls below the specified thresholds. As a private attorney, I can only receive a legal aid appointment for matters that are under police investigation or have been filed with the court (in mediation or litigation). I will help you determine whether you qualify for legal aid and, if you do, assist you with the application process.

Right to a State-Funded Attorney Regardless of Income

For certain serious offenses, you have the right to a state-funded attorney regardless of your income. As a victim, this includes sexual offenses. It also applies to assault and crimes against personal liberty (such as illegal threats) when the perpetrator is a close person. If you are suspected of a crime, you are entitled to a defense attorney funded by the state in cases where the offense carries a possible prison sentence of more than 4 months, or if you are arrested, detained, or a minor. You may also receive a state-funded attorney when applying for a restraining order if the application is based on a suspected crime against life, health, or liberty, and the severity and circumstances support it.