09/04/2026
When a legal problem comes up unexpectedly, one question people often have is, “I need a lawyer, but what if I can’t afford one?”
If you’ve been injured or charged with a crime, you already have enough to worry about. The good news is that your options may depend on the type of case.
In personal injury cases, attorneys often work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you generally don’t pay the attorney upfront. Instead, the attorney receives an agreed-upon percentage of the settlement or verdict if the case is successful. In Michigan, a common contingency fee is 33%.
Criminal cases work differently. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may qualify for a court-appointed attorney depending on your financial circumstances and whether jail time is a possibility, so don’t assume you can’t get legal help simply because you’re worried about the cost. There’s options available depending on your situation. If you have questions about attorney fees or your options for representation, give us a call!
