Sero Law offers several ways to manage the cost of legal representation, depending on the service and the terms of your engagement. Explore the available arrangements below.
Pay Over Time
Firm-Managed Installments
Eligible flat-fee installment arrangements require an initial down payment equal to 25% of the standard flat fee.
The remaining 75% is paid through scheduled automatic payments according to the agreed payment arrangement.
The 25% down payment is credited toward the total legal fee. It is not an additional charge.
Payment frequency, amounts, and due dates are established in the written engagement agreement.
Not every legal matter qualifies for the same payment arrangement.
Installment arrangements do not automatically qualify for the upfront-payment discount.
Illustrative Example
$2,560 Standard Flat Fee
25% initial payment · 75% remaining balance
Example installment breakdown
Standard Flat Fee
$2,560
Initial 25% Down Payment
$640
Remaining Balance
$1,920
Total Standard Fee
$2,560
The $640 down payment is part of the $2,560 standard fee, not an additional charge. The remaining balance is paid according to the installment schedule agreed upon with the firm.
This illustration is an example, not a universal payment schedule.
Each eligible flat-fee service has one standard legal fee. Clients who pay the full agreed fee at the outset of representation receive an upfront-payment discount. The discount reduces the amount due without changing the scope of legal services.
The approved dollar discount varies by service. The Total After Discount is the Standard Flat Fee less the applicable Upfront-Payment Discount.
Paying upfront does not eliminate applicable refund rights.
LawPay Pay Later, powered by Affirm, is third-party financing, not a Sero Law installment plan. Repayment is made to the financing provider under a separate financing agreement.
For eligible individual clients, Sero Law may offer access to LawPay Pay Later, powered by Affirm.
This third-party financing option may allow qualifying clients to spread legal fees over smaller scheduled payments rather than making Sero Law's customary initial down payment.
Contact Sero Law to confirm whether financing is available for your proposed engagement. Availability and approval are not guaranteed.
How Financing Works
1. Confirm Your Legal Services
Sero Law determines the scope and fee for your matter and confirms whether financing is available for the proposed engagement.
2. Review Financing Options
If financing is available, you may apply through the financing provider and review the payment arrangements offered to you.
3. Choose Your Repayment Terms
If approved, you can review the applicable repayment schedule, interest rate, total repayment amount, and any required down payment before accepting the financing agreement.
4. Make Payments to the Financing Provider
Once financing is completed, Sero Law receives payment through the provider, and you repay the financing provider according to your financing agreement.
Financing Qualifications
Eligibility and Approval
Approval is subject to eligibility and credit review. Financing approval, repayment terms, interest rates, and any required lender down payment are determined by the financing provider, not Sero Law.
Financing may not be available for business entities or commercial-purpose transactions.
Interest and Down Payments
Interest and financing charges may apply. Available terms depend on the financing offer.
Financing may offer a smaller initial payment than Sero Law's customary 25% down payment, but the provider may require its own down payment.
Separate Agreements and Refunds
Your obligations under the legal services agreement are separate from your obligations under the financing agreement.
If legal representation ends early and a refund is owed, the refund and its application to any outstanding financing balance will be handled under applicable law and the relevant agreements.
Contact Sero Law to ask whether LawPay Pay Later is available for your matter.
The written engagement agreement governs the representation. Representation begins only when Sero Law accepts the engagement under the applicable agreement. An inquiry or payment does not independently establish representation.
Additional services outside the agreed scope require an appropriate fee arrangement. Court costs, recording fees, filing fees, and third-party expenses may be additional unless expressly included in the package or engagement agreement.
Hourly Advance Retainers
For standard hourly engagements, Sero Law generally requires a $1,000 initial advance retainer.
This payment is an advance toward future legal fees and authorized charges.
Fees are charged as legal services are performed at the applicable hourly rate.
Unearned advance funds are generally refundable when representation ends, subject to proper accounting and applicable Tennessee law.
If earned fees and authorized expenses exceed the available advance, the client remains responsible for amounts properly owed under the engagement agreement.
Flat-Fee Arrangements
Flat-fee arrangements establish a fee for an agreed scope of legal services.
The written engagement agreement explains the services covered, payment requirements, and applicable fee-earning and refund terms.
A flat fee is not automatically nonrefundable simply because it is paid upfront.
If Representation Ends Before Completion
If representation ends before the agreed services are completed, Sero Law will account for fees earned, authorized expenses, and payments received.
Any refund owed will be determined under the engagement agreement and applicable Tennessee law.
Payment in full or the use of third-party financing does not automatically eliminate applicable refund rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flat Fees and Discounts
How do the Standard Flat Fee, Upfront-Payment Discount, and Total After Discount relate?
The Standard Flat Fee is the published fee for the services included in the package. The Upfront-Payment Discount reduces that fee when eligible clients pay the full agreed fee at the outset of representation. The Total After Discount is the standard fee less the applicable discount; it is not a separate independently established fee.
Can I save money by paying upfront?
Yes. Eligible flat-fee services offer an upfront-payment discount for qualifying payments at the outset of representation. The approved dollar discount and Total After Discount are shown alongside the Standard Flat Fee on Rates & Pricing.
Are package savings different from the upfront-payment discount?
Yes. Package savings reflect the difference between a bundled package and purchasing its included services individually. The upfront-payment discount is a separate reduction from the standard flat fee for qualifying upfront payment.
Installment Arrangements
Do I have to pay the entire legal fee upfront?
Not necessarily. Eligible flat-fee matters may qualify for an installment arrangement. Clients may also qualify for third-party financing.
What is the 25% down payment?
For eligible flat-fee installment arrangements, the initial down payment is 25% of the standard flat fee. It is credited toward the total fee and is not an additional charge.
What happens to the other 75%?
The remaining amount is paid through scheduled payments under the written engagement agreement. The schedule depends on the nature of the matter and the agreed payment terms.
Is the 25% down payment a discount?
No. It is the initial portion of the standard flat fee paid under an installment arrangement.
Third-Party Financing
What if I cannot afford the 25% down payment?
Ask whether LawPay Pay Later financing is available for your matter. Qualifying clients may be offered a different repayment arrangement through the financing provider.
Is LawPay financing guaranteed?
No. Financing is subject to provider eligibility requirements, approval, and available terms.
Will financing cost more?
It may. Interest or other financing charges can apply. Review the financing provider's disclosures, including the total repayment amount, before accepting an offer.
Hourly Fees, Retainers, and Engagement Terms
What is the hourly rate?
Sero Law's standard hourly rate is $290 per hour. Different arrangements may apply where expressly agreed in writing.
Is the $1,000 hourly retainer refundable?
The standard hourly advance retainer is applied toward earned fees and authorized charges. Any remaining unearned balance is generally refundable when representation concludes, subject to proper accounting and Tennessee law.
Are court costs and filing fees included?
Not necessarily. Court costs, recording fees, filing fees, and third-party expenses may be additional unless expressly included in the package or engagement agreement.
Does completing an inquiry or making a payment automatically establish representation?
No. Representation begins only when Sero Law accepts the engagement under the applicable agreement.
Discuss Your Payment Options
Start with a free initial consultation about your matter, the appropriate scope, and available payment arrangements.