How long might my lawyer's retainer last?

A retainer is money you pay up front. Enter the amount and expected work to estimate how long it could last.

Retainer amount

Lawyer's hourly rate

Use the rate in your agreement if you know it.

Province or territory (for tax)

Search by city instead

City or community

Choose a province to include tax.

Change monthly emails, calls, meetings and research

If an activity count is zero, its minutes field is ignored.

Emails or documents per month

Minutes each

Calls per month

Minutes each

Meetings per month

Minutes each

Drafting or research hours per month

Include estimated tax

Other expenses per month

For example, court fees or document costs.

Estimated time remaining

1.8 months

Estimated monthly cost$2,760

Lawyer hours covered (before other costs)14.3 hours

Estimated taxSelect province or territory

How is this calculated?

The estimate adds up the hours for emails, calls, meetings and research each month, multiplies by the hourly rate, then adds any tax and other costs you entered. It divides your retainer by that monthly total.

Your real bills may be different. See how our estimates work.

See government sources

Sources: Law Society of BC — Lawyers' Fees · CRA — GST/HST rates · tax methodology for BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Québec.