The legal term for an eviction in California is “unlawful detainer.” This is a technical area of law with detailed procedural requirements that must be satisfied before a landlord, property manager or foreclosure purchaser can evict a tenant or other occupant.
It’s cheaper to get the job done right the first time instead of trying to do it yourself, running afoul of the strict procedural requirements, and running into trouble in the middle of the case or, worse yet, having to start all over.
I understand that time is money for my clients and keep the timelines as tight as possible with as little delay as necessary between steps in the eviction process.
My fees are:
Initial consultation: free for 10 minutes by phone.
In person consultations: a flat fee of $125 for 1 hour.
$300 plus costs for an uncontested eviction (the occupant leaves after service of the 3/30/60/90 day notice or the summons and complaint) (this fee is not reduced if you prepare your own notice to quit or if the defendant leaves after the notice is served);
$500 plus costs for a contested eviction with a bench (nonjury) trial (the occupant files a motion or answer in response to the complaint, or files a motion to set aside default after default judgment is entered by the court);
$1,000 plus costs for a contested eviction with a jury trial;
$125 per hour for advice regarding settlements or leases (this fee does not apply if such advice is given in the course of representation in an eviction case)
Costs include:
Service of the 3 day notice: $50 estimate (variable depending on the county)
Filing of the complaint (for cases with financial damages up to $10,000): $240 statewide (except in Riverside County, $270; San Bernardino County, $255)
Filing of the complaint (for cases with financial damages between $10,000 and $25,000): $385 statewide (except in Riverside County, $410; San Bernardino County, $395)
Service of the complaint: $50 estimate per defendant (variable depending on the county)
Application for order granting leave to serve the summons and complaint by posting and mailing: $20
Filing fee for a motion or ex parte application: $40 (if I file a motion and then an ex parte application to advance the hearing on the motion the total cost would be $80)
Issuance of writ of possession: $25
Sheriff’s execution of writ of possession: $125
I don’t charge for postage for first-class US mail, but if the client wants expedited delivery (overnight, US priority mail, etc.), then I charge for the postage.
Court fax filing charges are: $4.50 plus $0.75/page in Los Angeles County. Clients are given the option of having me file documents by mail or fax at the beginning of our attorney-client relationship. I file documents in person when I am at the courthouse.
Other costs may apply, and vendors/courts may increase their costs without notice.
All fees and costs are payable in advance by check, cash, or credit card.