Court Cost Calculator
Estimate total litigation expenses
Case Details
Filing & Court Fees
Attorney Fees
Discovery Costs
Expert Witnesses
Trial Costs
Cost Estimate
Enter case details and click "Calculate"
Get a comprehensive cost breakdown
When to Use Court Cost Calculator
Civil Litigation
Estimate total costs for personal injury, contract disputes, and commercial litigation
Employment Cases
Budget for discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination lawsuits
Medical Malpractice
Calculate costs including multiple medical experts and extensive discovery
Budget Planning
Help clients understand total litigation investment before proceeding
Settlement Analysis
Compare projected litigation costs against settlement offers
Case Evaluation
Assess whether potential recovery justifies litigation expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a lawsuit cost?
Lawsuit costs vary widely based on complexity. Simple cases may cost $5,000-$25,000, moderate cases $25,000-$100,000, and complex litigation can exceed $100,000-$500,000+. Costs include filing fees, attorney fees, discovery, expert witnesses, and trial expenses.
What are the main components of litigation costs?
Main litigation costs include: filing fees ($200-$500), attorney fees ($150-$500/hour), discovery costs (depositions, document review, e-discovery), expert witness fees ($300-$1,000/hour), court reporter fees, and trial expenses. Discovery often represents 50-80% of total costs.
How much do attorneys charge for litigation?
Litigation attorneys typically charge $200-$500 per hour, with partners at large firms charging $500-$1,500+. Total attorney fees depend on case complexity and duration. A simple case may require 50-100 hours, while complex litigation can require 500-2,000+ hours.
What percentage of litigation costs is discovery?
Discovery typically accounts for 50-80% of total litigation costs. E-discovery alone can cost $1,000-$3,000 per gigabyte. Document review is the largest expense, often representing 60-80% of e-discovery costs. Depositions add $2,000-$10,000 each.
How much do expert witnesses cost in litigation?
Expert witnesses charge $300-$1,000+ per hour depending on specialty. Medical experts average $500-$1,500/hour. Total expert costs including review, report writing, deposition, and trial testimony can range from $10,000-$100,000+ per expert.
What are typical trial costs?
Trial costs include attorney time ($10,000-$50,000+ per day), witness fees, exhibit preparation ($2,000-$10,000), jury consultants ($5,000-$50,000), and daily transcripts ($1,000-$3,000/day). A week-long trial can cost $50,000-$250,000+.
Can I recover court costs if I win?
Prevailing parties can typically recover certain court costs including filing fees, service fees, witness fees, and transcript costs. Attorney fees are generally not recoverable unless provided by statute or contract. Recovery varies by jurisdiction and case type.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!