INVESTMENT
Payment & Billing

Transparent pricing.
No surprises. Ever.

Every engagement at Stokes Law Group is flat-fee. You know exactly what you're investing before you sign anything — and we make it straightforward to pay.

Our Pricing Philosophy

Why we charge flat fees — not hourly.

Hourly billing puts the attorney's interests and the client's interests in conflict. The longer something takes, the more you pay. That's not how we operate.

Flat-fee pricing means you know the full investment before you commit. No surprise invoices at the end of the month. No watching the clock. No anxiety every time you send an email.

We quote a flat fee, we scope the work, you sign the agreement — and the number doesn't change unless the scope does, and only with your approval.

You know the number before you sign

Every engagement is quoted in full at the Strategy Session. No estimate ranges — a flat number for a defined scope of work.

Government fees are disclosed upfront

USPTO filing fees, state filing fees, and court fees are passed through at cost — quoted at the time of engagement, never added silently after.

Scope changes require your approval

If the scope of your engagement changes, we discuss it with you first. No additional charges without explicit agreement in writing.

The Strategy Session fee is a credit

Your $500 Strategy Session investment applies directly toward your retainer if you engage the firm within 14 days. It doesn't disappear — it becomes your first payment.

Paying an Invoice
How to pay your invoice.

Invoices are sent through Clio — our client management platform. Here's exactly how the process works from agreement to payment.

01
Sign your fee agreement

After your Strategy Session, you'll receive a fee agreement through Clio outlining your flat fee, scope of work, and payment terms. Review and sign electronically.

02
Receive your invoice

Your invoice arrives by email from Clio Payments. It will show your flat fee, any government filing fees, and the payment options available to you.

03
Pay through Clio

Click the payment link in your invoice email to pay securely through the Clio client portal. You can also log in directly at clients.clio.com to view and pay invoices.

04
Work begins

Once payment is received and your fee agreement is signed, your engagement begins. You'll receive access to the Clio client portal for real-time matter tracking throughout.

Existing client? Access your invoices here.

Log in to the Clio client portal to view your invoices, matter status, documents, and messages.

Log In to Clio →
Accepted Payment Methods
Multiple ways to pay. All of them secure.
Credit Card

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover accepted through Clio Payments.

ACH / Bank Transfer

Direct bank transfer via ACH through the Clio payment portal. Preferred for larger engagements.

Affirm

Buy now, pay later financing through Affirm. Select Affirm at checkout in the Clio payment portal to apply.

Payment Plans

Structured payment plans available on select engagements. Ask about eligibility during your Strategy Session.

About Affirm financing

Affirm offers buy now, pay later financing that lets you spread your legal investment over time. Approval is subject to Affirm's credit review. Rates and terms vary by applicant. Affirm is a third-party service — see affirm.com for full terms. You can access the Affirm payment flow through the video walkthrough below.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Watch: How to pay your invoice and activate Affirm.

This short video walks you through the full payment process — from receiving your invoice to completing payment through Clio, including how to activate Affirm financing if you choose that option.

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Common Questions
Billing questions answered.
When is payment due? +
Engagements require payment in full at signing unless a payment plan has been specifically agreed upon. Retainer arrangements are billed monthly on a set date. The Strategy Session fee is due at booking and credited toward your engagement if you retain within 14 days.
Do you offer payment plans? +
Payment plans are available on select engagements. Eligibility is determined at the Strategy Session based on the scope and nature of the engagement. Affirm buy-now-pay-later financing is available through the Clio payment portal for all invoices. Ask about your options during your session.
What if my project takes longer than expected? +
Because we charge flat fees, the time it takes to complete your matter doesn't affect your cost. Your flat fee covers the scoped work regardless of how many hours Attorney Stokes invests. If the scope of your engagement changes materially, we'll have that conversation with you before any additional charges occur.
What are government filing fees and who pays them? +
Government filing fees — such as USPTO trademark filing fees, state business registration fees, and court filing fees — are paid directly by you as the client. These fees are set by the government and passed through at exact cost with no markup. They are always disclosed upfront at the time of your engagement, never added as a surprise.
I can't find my invoice — what do I do? +
Check your spam or junk folder first — Clio emails occasionally get filtered. You can also log in directly at clients.clio.com to view all your invoices. If you're still having trouble, email us at contact@stokeslegalcounsel.com or call (813) 444-4156.
Is my payment information secure? +
All payments are processed through Clio Payments, which uses bank-level encryption and is PCI-DSS compliant. Stokes Law Group never stores your credit card or bank account information directly. Your payment details are handled entirely by Clio's secure payment infrastructure.
Ready to Begin?
The first step is a Strategy Session.

One hour with Attorney Stokes. A clear diagnosis. A prioritized action plan. And a $500 credit toward your retainer if you engage within 14 days.