Legal Services Costs in North Carolina
Verified cost ranges across cities in North Carolina
Legal Services Cost Comparison — North Carolina
Compare verified cost ranges across cities in North Carolina
Cost Comparison — Criminal Record Expungement
Low
$754
Typical
$1,666
High
$2,578
Low
$734
Typical
$1,622
High
$2,509
Low
$727
Typical
$1,606
High
$2,485
Low
$678
Typical
$1,498
High
$2,318
Low
$664
Typical
$1,466
High
$2,268
Low
$736
Typical
$1,625
High
$2,515
Low
$694
Typical
$1,533
High
$2,372
Low
$700
Typical
$1,547
High
$2,393
Low
$740
Typical
$1,635
High
$2,530
Low
$694
Typical
$1,532
High
$2,371
Low
$728
Typical
$1,608
High
$2,488
Low
$667
Typical
$1,474
High
$2,281
Low
$700
Typical
$1,547
High
$2,393
Low
$667
Typical
$1,474
High
$2,280
Low
$703
Typical
$1,552
High
$2,402
Low
$694
Typical
$1,534
High
$2,373
Cost Comparison — Landlord-Tenant Dispute
Low
$441
Typical
$1,176
High
$1,912
Low
$425
Typical
$1,134
High
$1,844
Low
$430
Typical
$1,148
High
$1,866
Low
$396
Typical
$1,058
High
$1,720
Low
$388
Typical
$1,035
High
$1,683
Low
$405
Typical
$1,083
High
$1,760
Low
$409
Typical
$1,092
High
$1,775
Low
$432
Typical
$1,155
High
$1,877
Low
$429
Typical
$1,145
High
$1,861
Low
$405
Typical
$1,082
High
$1,759
Low
$425
Typical
$1,135
High
$1,845
Low
$390
Typical
$1,041
High
$1,692
Low
$409
Typical
$1,092
High
$1,775
Low
$390
Typical
$1,041
High
$1,691
Low
$411
Typical
$1,096
High
$1,782
Low
$406
Typical
$1,083
High
$1,761
Cost Comparison — Simple Will Drafting
Low
$312
Typical
$602
High
$893
Low
$304
Typical
$586
High
$869
Low
$290
Typical
$559
High
$829
Low
$301
Typical
$581
High
$861
Low
$281
Typical
$542
High
$803
Low
$304
Typical
$588
High
$871
Low
$275
Typical
$530
High
$785
Low
$287
Typical
$554
High
$821
Low
$306
Typical
$591
High
$876
Low
$287
Typical
$554
High
$821
Low
$301
Typical
$581
High
$861
Low
$276
Typical
$533
High
$790
Low
$290
Typical
$559
High
$829
Low
$276
Typical
$533
High
$790
Low
$291
Typical
$561
High
$832
Low
$287
Typical
$555
High
$822
Cost Comparison — Revocable Living Trust
Low
$1,143
Typical
$1,985
High
$2,828
Low
$1,112
Typical
$1,932
High
$2,753
Low
$1,061
Typical
$1,843
High
$2,626
Low
$1,102
Typical
$1,914
High
$2,726
Low
$1,028
Typical
$1,785
High
$2,543
Low
$1,006
Typical
$1,747
High
$2,488
Low
$1,115
Typical
$1,937
High
$2,759
Low
$1,052
Typical
$1,827
High
$2,602
Low
$1,121
Typical
$1,948
High
$2,775
Low
$1,051
Typical
$1,826
High
$2,601
Low
$1,103
Typical
$1,916
High
$2,729
Low
$1,011
Typical
$1,757
High
$2,502
Low
$1,061
Typical
$1,843
High
$2,626
Low
$1,011
Typical
$1,756
High
$2,501
Low
$1,065
Typical
$1,850
High
$2,635
Low
$1,052
Typical
$1,828
High
$2,604
Cost Comparison — Probate Filing
Low
$1,831
Typical
$4,397
High
$6,963
Low
$1,782
Typical
$4,280
High
$6,778
Low
$1,700
Typical
$4,083
High
$6,465
Low
$1,765
Typical
$4,239
High
$6,713
Low
$1,647
Typical
$3,954
High
$6,262
Low
$1,611
Typical
$3,870
High
$6,128
Low
$1,787
Typical
$4,290
High
$6,793
Low
$1,685
Typical
$4,047
High
$6,408
Low
$1,797
Typical
$4,316
High
$6,834
Low
$1,684
Typical
$4,044
High
$6,404
Low
$1,767
Typical
$4,243
High
$6,720
Low
$1,620
Typical
$3,891
High
$6,161
Low
$1,700
Typical
$4,083
High
$6,465
Low
$1,620
Typical
$3,889
High
$6,159
Low
$1,706
Typical
$4,098
High
$6,489
Low
$1,686
Typical
$4,049
High
$6,411
Cost Comparison — Estate Administration
Low
$1,785
Typical
$4,113
High
$6,440
Low
$1,738
Typical
$4,004
High
$6,269
Low
$1,658
Typical
$3,819
High
$5,980
Low
$1,571
Typical
$3,619
High
$5,668
Low
$1,721
Typical
$3,965
High
$6,209
Low
$1,605
Typical
$3,699
High
$5,792
Low
$1,742
Typical
$4,013
High
$6,284
Low
$1,643
Typical
$3,785
High
$5,927
Low
$1,752
Typical
$4,037
High
$6,322
Low
$1,642
Typical
$3,783
High
$5,924
Low
$1,723
Typical
$3,969
High
$6,215
Low
$1,580
Typical
$3,639
High
$5,699
Low
$1,658
Typical
$3,819
High
$5,980
Low
$1,579
Typical
$3,638
High
$5,697
Low
$1,664
Typical
$3,833
High
$6,002
Low
$1,644
Typical
$3,787
High
$5,930
Cost Comparison — Green Card Application
Low
$1,435
Typical
$2,524
High
$3,613
Low
$1,397
Typical
$2,457
High
$3,517
Low
$1,400
Typical
$2,462
High
$3,525
Low
$1,384
Typical
$2,433
High
$3,483
Low
$1,291
Typical
$2,270
High
$3,249
Low
$1,263
Typical
$2,221
High
$3,179
Low
$1,321
Typical
$2,323
High
$3,325
Low
$1,333
Typical
$2,344
High
$3,355
Low
$1,409
Typical
$2,477
High
$3,546
Low
$1,320
Typical
$2,321
High
$3,323
Low
$1,385
Typical
$2,436
High
$3,486
Low
$1,270
Typical
$2,233
High
$3,197
Low
$1,333
Typical
$2,344
High
$3,355
Low
$1,269
Typical
$2,233
High
$3,196
Low
$1,337
Typical
$2,352
High
$3,367
Low
$1,321
Typical
$2,324
High
$3,326
Cost Comparison — Child Custody Agreement
Low
$2,809
Typical
$5,318
High
$7,827
Low
$2,782
Typical
$5,267
High
$7,752
Low
$2,654
Typical
$5,024
High
$7,395
Low
$2,595
Typical
$4,913
High
$7,231
Low
$2,539
Typical
$4,808
High
$7,076
Low
$2,815
Typical
$5,330
High
$7,845
Low
$2,655
Typical
$5,028
High
$7,400
Low
$2,679
Typical
$5,072
High
$7,466
Low
$2,832
Typical
$5,362
High
$7,892
Low
$2,885
Typical
$5,463
High
$8,040
Low
$2,784
Typical
$5,272
High
$7,759
Low
$2,553
Typical
$4,834
High
$7,115
Low
$2,679
Typical
$5,072
High
$7,466
Low
$2,552
Typical
$4,832
High
$7,112
Low
$2,689
Typical
$5,091
High
$7,493
Low
$2,657
Typical
$5,030
High
$7,403
Cost Comparison — Child Support Order
Low
$648
Typical
$1,202
High
$1,755
Low
$642
Typical
$1,190
High
$1,738
Low
$613
Typical
$1,135
High
$1,658
Low
$654
Typical
$1,212
High
$1,769
Low
$599
Typical
$1,110
High
$1,621
Low
$586
Typical
$1,086
High
$1,586
Low
$650
Typical
$1,204
High
$1,759
Low
$613
Typical
$1,136
High
$1,659
Low
$618
Typical
$1,146
High
$1,674
Low
$666
Typical
$1,234
High
$1,803
Low
$643
Typical
$1,191
High
$1,740
Low
$589
Typical
$1,092
High
$1,595
Low
$618
Typical
$1,146
High
$1,674
Low
$589
Typical
$1,092
High
$1,594
Low
$621
Typical
$1,150
High
$1,680
Low
$613
Typical
$1,137
High
$1,660
Cost Comparison — Misdemeanor Defense
Low
$1,891
Typical
$8,715
High
$15,539
Low
$1,873
Typical
$8,632
High
$15,391
Low
$1,787
Typical
$8,235
High
$14,682
Low
$1,747
Typical
$8,052
High
$14,357
Low
$1,710
Typical
$7,879
High
$14,049
Low
$1,895
Typical
$8,735
High
$15,575
Low
$1,788
Typical
$8,240
High
$14,692
Low
$1,804
Typical
$8,313
High
$14,823
Low
$1,907
Typical
$8,788
High
$15,669
Low
$1,943
Typical
$8,953
High
$15,963
Low
$1,875
Typical
$8,640
High
$15,405
Low
$1,719
Typical
$7,922
High
$14,125
Low
$1,804
Typical
$8,313
High
$14,823
Low
$1,718
Typical
$7,919
High
$14,120
Low
$1,810
Typical
$8,344
High
$14,877
Low
$1,789
Typical
$8,243
High
$14,698
Cost Comparison — Felony Defense
Low
$5,262
Typical
$15,457
High
$25,652
Low
$5,212
Typical
$15,309
High
$25,407
Low
$4,972
Typical
$14,604
High
$24,237
Low
$4,861
Typical
$14,280
High
$23,699
Low
$4,757
Typical
$13,974
High
$23,191
Low
$5,274
Typical
$15,492
High
$25,710
Low
$4,975
Typical
$14,614
High
$24,253
Low
$5,019
Typical
$14,744
High
$24,469
Low
$5,306
Typical
$15,585
High
$25,865
Low
$5,405
Typical
$15,878
High
$26,350
Low
$5,216
Typical
$15,323
High
$25,430
Low
$4,783
Typical
$14,050
High
$23,317
Low
$5,019
Typical
$14,744
High
$24,469
Low
$4,781
Typical
$14,045
High
$23,309
Low
$5,037
Typical
$14,798
High
$24,558
Low
$4,977
Typical
$14,620
High
$24,263
Cost Comparison — Citizenship & Naturalization
Low
$723
Typical
$1,243
High
$1,764
Low
$716
Typical
$1,232
High
$1,747
Low
$683
Typical
$1,175
High
$1,667
Low
$668
Typical
$1,149
High
$1,630
Low
$653
Typical
$1,124
High
$1,595
Low
$724
Typical
$1,246
High
$1,768
Low
$683
Typical
$1,176
High
$1,668
Low
$689
Typical
$1,186
High
$1,683
Low
$729
Typical
$1,254
High
$1,779
Low
$743
Typical
$1,277
High
$1,812
Low
$717
Typical
$1,233
High
$1,749
Low
$657
Typical
$1,130
High
$1,603
Low
$689
Typical
$1,186
High
$1,683
Low
$657
Typical
$1,130
High
$1,603
Low
$692
Typical
$1,190
High
$1,689
Low
$684
Typical
$1,176
High
$1,668
Cost Comparison — Work Visa Application
Low
$1,127
Typical
$1,985
High
$2,843
Low
$1,117
Typical
$1,966
High
$2,815
Low
$1,065
Typical
$1,875
High
$2,686
Low
$1,042
Typical
$1,834
High
$2,626
Low
$1,019
Typical
$1,795
High
$2,570
Low
$1,130
Typical
$1,989
High
$2,849
Low
$1,066
Typical
$1,877
High
$2,688
Low
$1,075
Typical
$1,893
High
$2,712
Low
$1,137
Typical
$2,001
High
$2,866
Low
$1,158
Typical
$2,039
High
$2,920
Low
$1,118
Typical
$1,968
High
$2,818
Low
$1,025
Typical
$1,804
High
$2,584
Low
$1,075
Typical
$1,893
High
$2,712
Low
$1,024
Typical
$1,804
High
$2,583
Low
$1,079
Typical
$1,900
High
$2,721
Low
$1,066
Typical
$1,878
High
$2,689
Cost Comparison — Deportation Defense
Low
$2,745
Typical
$6,839
High
$10,932
Low
$2,719
Typical
$6,774
High
$10,828
Low
$2,594
Typical
$6,462
High
$10,329
Low
$2,536
Typical
$6,318
High
$10,100
Low
$2,482
Typical
$6,183
High
$9,884
Low
$2,751
Typical
$6,854
High
$10,957
Low
$2,596
Typical
$6,466
High
$10,336
Low
$2,619
Typical
$6,523
High
$10,428
Low
$2,768
Typical
$6,896
High
$11,023
Low
$2,820
Typical
$7,025
High
$11,230
Low
$2,722
Typical
$6,780
High
$10,838
Low
$2,495
Typical
$6,216
High
$9,937
Low
$2,619
Typical
$6,523
High
$10,428
Low
$2,495
Typical
$6,214
High
$9,934
Low
$2,628
Typical
$6,547
High
$10,466
Low
$2,597
Typical
$6,469
High
$10,341
Cost Comparison — Asylum Application
Low
$2,071
Typical
$3,805
High
$5,539
Low
$2,051
Typical
$3,769
High
$5,486
Low
$1,957
Typical
$3,595
High
$5,234
Low
$1,913
Typical
$3,516
High
$5,118
Low
$1,872
Typical
$3,440
High
$5,008
Low
$2,076
Typical
$3,814
High
$5,552
Low
$1,958
Typical
$3,598
High
$5,237
Low
$1,976
Typical
$3,630
High
$5,284
Low
$2,088
Typical
$3,837
High
$5,585
Low
$2,128
Typical
$3,909
High
$5,690
Low
$2,053
Typical
$3,772
High
$5,491
Low
$1,883
Typical
$3,459
High
$5,035
Low
$1,976
Typical
$3,630
High
$5,284
Low
$1,882
Typical
$3,458
High
$5,033
Low
$1,983
Typical
$3,643
High
$5,303
Low
$1,959
Typical
$3,599
High
$5,239
Cost Comparison — Prenuptial Agreement
Low
$796
Typical
$1,953
High
$3,110
Low
$788
Typical
$1,934
High
$3,081
Low
$752
Typical
$1,845
High
$2,939
Low
$802
Typical
$1,969
High
$3,136
Low
$798
Typical
$1,958
High
$3,117
Low
$735
Typical
$1,804
High
$2,874
Low
$719
Typical
$1,766
High
$2,812
Low
$752
Typical
$1,847
High
$2,941
Low
$759
Typical
$1,863
High
$2,967
Low
$818
Typical
$2,006
High
$3,195
Low
$789
Typical
$1,936
High
$3,083
Low
$723
Typical
$1,775
High
$2,827
Low
$759
Typical
$1,863
High
$2,967
Low
$723
Typical
$1,775
High
$2,826
Low
$762
Typical
$1,870
High
$2,978
Low
$753
Typical
$1,847
High
$2,942
Cost Comparison — DUI/DWI Defense
Low
$723
Typical
$2,120
High
$3,517
Low
$716
Typical
$2,100
High
$3,483
Low
$683
Typical
$2,003
High
$3,323
Low
$724
Typical
$2,125
High
$3,525
Low
$668
Typical
$1,958
High
$3,249
Low
$653
Typical
$1,916
High
$3,179
Low
$683
Typical
$2,004
High
$3,325
Low
$689
Typical
$2,022
High
$3,355
Low
$729
Typical
$2,137
High
$3,546
Low
$743
Typical
$2,178
High
$3,613
Low
$717
Typical
$2,102
High
$3,486
Low
$657
Typical
$1,927
High
$3,197
Low
$689
Typical
$2,022
High
$3,355
Low
$657
Typical
$1,926
High
$3,196
Low
$692
Typical
$2,029
High
$3,367
Low
$684
Typical
$2,005
High
$3,326
Cost Comparison — Contested Divorce
Low
$2,076
Typical
$5,215
High
$8,353
Low
$2,039
Typical
$5,122
High
$8,205
Low
$1,945
Typical
$4,886
High
$7,828
Low
$2,059
Typical
$5,172
High
$8,284
Low
$1,902
Typical
$4,778
High
$7,654
Low
$1,861
Typical
$4,676
High
$7,490
Low
$2,064
Typical
$5,183
High
$8,303
Low
$1,947
Typical
$4,890
High
$7,833
Low
$1,964
Typical
$4,933
High
$7,902
Low
$2,115
Typical
$5,313
High
$8,510
Low
$2,041
Typical
$5,127
High
$8,213
Low
$1,872
Typical
$4,701
High
$7,531
Low
$1,964
Typical
$4,933
High
$7,902
Low
$1,871
Typical
$4,699
High
$7,528
Low
$1,971
Typical
$4,951
High
$7,931
Low
$1,947
Typical
$4,892
High
$7,836
Browse Legal Services Costs by City in North Carolina
Select a city to see local pricing adjusted for cost of living.
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legal-services
Contested Divorce
Legal representation in a divorce where spouses disagree on one or more issues requiring court intervention or negotiation. Billed hourly with costs escalating based on number of disputed issues, discovery, depositions, and trial time required.
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Child Custody Agreement
Drafting and filing of a formal parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority. Can be completed as a standalone agreement or as part of divorce proceedings.
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Child Support Order
Legal process to establish, modify, or enforce a court order for child financial support. Calculation is based on state-specific guidelines factoring in parental income, custody time, and child expenses. Attorney fees vary by whether the matter is contested.
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Prenuptial Agreement
Drafting of a legally binding prenuptial agreement defining each spouse's property rights and financial obligations in the event of divorce or death. Each party should have independent legal counsel for enforceability. Complexity and assets involved drive cost.
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DUI/DWI Defense
Legal defense for driving under the influence charges including DMV hearing representation, motion to suppress evidence, negotiation for reduced charges, and trial defense if necessary. First offense vs. repeat offense and BAC level significantly affect strategy and cost.
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Misdemeanor Defense
Legal representation for misdemeanor criminal charges including disorderly conduct, petty theft, simple assault, or minor drug possession. Many cases are resolved through plea negotiations or diversion programs. Flat fees are common for straightforward misdemeanors.
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Felony Defense
Legal representation for serious felony charges including drug offenses, assault, theft, fraud, or violent crimes. Requires extensive investigation, discovery review, expert witnesses, and potentially jury trial. Hourly billing with substantial retainers is standard.
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Criminal Record Expungement
Legal process to have an eligible criminal conviction or arrest record sealed or expunged from public view. Eligibility requirements vary by state based on offense type, sentence completed, and time elapsed. Improves employment, housing, and licensing opportunities.
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Landlord-Tenant Dispute
Legal assistance for landlords or tenants in disputes over lease violations, security deposit disputes, habitability issues, illegal lockouts, or eviction proceedings. Local housing laws vary significantly, making local counsel important.
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Simple Will Drafting
Preparation of a basic last will and testament naming beneficiaries, executor, and guardian for minor children. A simple will is appropriate for straightforward estates. Must be properly executed with witnesses and notarization per state law to be valid.
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Revocable Living Trust
Drafting of a revocable living trust to hold assets during the grantor's lifetime and transfer them to beneficiaries outside of probate. Includes pour-over will and asset retitling guidance. Significantly reduces estate settlement time and costs for heirs.
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Probate Filing
Legal assistance initiating probate proceedings to validate a deceased person's will and authorize the executor to administer the estate. Includes court filings, creditor notification, and asset inventory. Probate timelines and costs vary by state.
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Estate Administration
Full legal representation of an executor or administrator through the entire estate settlement process including probate, asset marshaling, debt payment, tax filings, and distribution to beneficiaries. Typically billed as a percentage of estate value or hourly.
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Green Card Application
Legal assistance with permanent residency application through family sponsorship, employment, asylum, or diversity lottery. Includes I-485 adjustment of status or consular processing, supporting documents, and USCIS interview preparation. Multi-year timeline is common.
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Citizenship & Naturalization
Legal assistance with the N-400 naturalization application for eligible permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. Includes eligibility assessment, form preparation, biometrics, civics test preparation, and USCIS interview coaching.
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Work Visa Application
Legal assistance obtaining temporary work authorization including H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, or E-3 visas. Requires employer sponsorship for most categories. Annual H-1B cap and lottery add complexity and cost. Attorney fees cover petition drafting and USCIS filing.
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Deportation Defense
Legal representation in immigration court removal proceedings including bond hearings, cancellation of removal applications, asylum claims, and appeals. One of the most complex immigration matters due to high stakes and procedural complexity.
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Asylum Application
Legal assistance with affirmative or defensive asylum applications for individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group membership. Strong personal statement and corroborating evidence are critical to approval.