SERVICES
We perform many services in addition to the ones listed here. We use state of the art technology. You can leave a message for us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (We undertake to return all calls within 1 business day.) Our use of modern technology allows us to operate with great efficiency. Our office decor is humble, but cheery. All of these "low overhead" factors allow us to keep our costs of carrying on business to an absolute minimum yet still make a reasonable profit.
The prices listed are not "etched in stone". We look to the Toronto Lawyers Association's suggested Fee Schedule for guidance and thus before rendering a bill, we take into consideration such factors as: the time and effort required and spent; the difficulty and importance of the matter; whether special skill or service has been required and provided; the amount involved or the value of the subject matter; the results obtained; fees authorized by statute or regulation or suggested fee schedule of a lawyers' association; such special circumstances as loss of other retainers, postponement of payment, uncertainty of reward or urgency.
For some legal matters, I quote a "block fee" at the outset (eg: Powers of Attorney, completion of the Probate process when administering an Estate, Wills, Real Estate transactions, etc.). These quotes contemplate completion of such "block fee matters", either with a maximum of two drafts required (Wills, Probate applications, etc.) or with no unexpected problems regarding title (Real Estate transactions, etc.). If, due to unforeseen consequences (such as client changing their mind, new changes to legislation, liens, clouds on title, problems regarding obtaining required funds on closing, etc.) more than two drafts are required or extra time is spent in order to successfully close transaction, an extra fee is charged based on our hourly rate (on top of the block fee initially quoted).
I work by appointment only (since I also act as a Mediator, there are many hours when I am not in the office). At your initial consultation we will discuss your particular situation and explore in a preliminary manner what your alternatives are. The extent of our legal services will be explained to you, as well as an estimate of what they will cost and how long they will take. When you need us, please phone or eMail us to arrange for an appointment (eMail is always preferable, since I take portable technological devices with me when I am out of the office and can check my eMail regularly). We will try to see you as soon as possible. Please only book an appointment time that you are 100% certain that you can keep. Our appointments are "etched in stone" and (barring an emergency) we never cancel them. I book many engagements outside of my private law practice (such as mediating, adjudicating, arbitration, etc.), sometimes up to 9 months in advance. When I book an appointment with you to meet at my law office, I lose the opportunity to accept such other engagements. If you cancel our appointment, the resulting "opportunity cost" is the lost income I could have earned, but for your cancellation.
I also work by advance retainer/deposit only. Before I provide you with any legal services, I must be so retained. The advance retainer cheque (I also accept Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, debit cards, etc.) is evidence of such retainer and acts as advance payment towards the first bill that I will provide to you in due course.
In real estate and commercial matters all monies necessary to complete the transactions (including legal fees and disbursements) must be paid prior to closing. Likewise, in estates matters Certificates of Appointment of Estate Trustee (formerly known as "Letters Probate") shall not be released until our final invoice has been paid in full. On matters that take longer than one month to complete, we bill on an interim basis. Accounts are payable when rendered. Interest is chargeable in accordance with the Solicitors' Act on overdue accounts. Since our usual mode of delivery of reports/invoices is by Canada Post letter/mail, please advise us if/when you move to a new address (ie: one that is different from that which is on the driver's licence/ID that we have on file for you)
I view our Solicitor - Client relationship to be akin to a partnership and I work with my Clients in a relationship of mutual trust: a Client is free to fire me at any time (provided that is done so in writing), should they not be happy with the services that I provide (fortunately for me, I can count on one hand the number of times that has happened over my long career as a practising lawyer). Likewise if I ever find that I can no longer take instructions from you (for whatever reason), I too may unilaterally terminate our Solicitor-Client relationship (again, provided that it is done in writing).
We are conveniently located half-way between the Chester and Pape TTC subway stops.
NOTES:
1. Costs do not include out-of-pocket expenses incurred by us on your behalf and rates are subject to change without notice.
2. It is not our practice to prepare Affidavits of Execution at time of Will signing. Instead, we prepare them when the probate process has begun and a reasonable fee may be charged to the deceased's Estate at that time.
3. Virtually all of our clients choose to have us store their original Wills away from our law office in a fireproof vault. (If an original Will can not be found the law deems it to have been destroyed before the Testator's death). We do not charge a fee for such storage. However a reasonable retrieval fee may be charged to the deceased's Estate when the probate process has begun and the original Will is filed with the Estates court.
4. On matters where we act as Estate Trustee, it is our firm practice to attempt to provide residual beneficiaries with the Statement of Estate Trustee's Accounts for Year One ("Accounts 1"), within 3 months of end of the month that is one year from the date of death (eg. : Date of death is Jan. 2, 2031: Accounts 1 provided to residual beneficiary before Apr. 30, 2032)
5. We require 24 hours' notice to change or cancel an appointment, including a scheduled telephone conversation, failing which a $125 {1/4 hour at our hourly rate of $500.00} service charge shall be charged.P.S.: please feel free to make copies of this price list and give to whomever you wish. We always welcome new clients and are grateful for referrals. Thank you.
HST # R 135 759 058
Joseph Anthony (Tony) Baker -- Lawyer, Mediator & Estate Trustee
500 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4K 1P6
Phone: (416) 463-4411-- Fax: (416) 463-4562 -- eMail: tbaker1952@aol.com