Pricing/Fees:
Q: I was sent an EL but it is confusing to me, how do I calculate how much the total costs will be?
A: The total legal costs depend on the selected service/s. Generally, the total legal costs are the sum of the fees of the services selected by the Client. You can find the cost of each service within the Engagement Letter. We have intentionally provided a high level of customization that can be done with our ELs. You can choose a Service Plan or you can select individual services ‘a la carte’. If you have any questions, you can email the lawyer who sent you the EL.
Q: What is the file activation fee for and what does it cost?
A: This fee refers to administrative costs related to the activation of a new file. For example, with respect to activities of Anti-Money Laundering compliance, Data Protection compliance, Privacy compliance, Conflict of Interest check, Software setup, Tax compliance, etc.
The file activation fee is equal to EUR 470 + taxes. However, this fee does not apply when the Client selects one of our Service Plans (Comprehensive, Premium or Unlimited).
Q: I see a list of lawyers and their hourly rates. Can I select the lawyer with the lowest hourly rate?
A: It is not possible to select the lawyer who will be working on the Client’s file as this depends on the practice area on which they are focused.
However, the hourly rates only apply:
- When an activity covered by a flat or capped fee is not completed for any reason (see Art. 2 of the terms and conditions of our ELs).
- When the Client has specifically chosen a Per Hour EL.
Q: Do I qualify for the flat fee?
A: All the activities included in the ELs for Immigration or Citizenship are covered by flat fees. Activities for other practice areas may have different fee structures.
Q: What is the flat fee?
A: Certain standard activities related to the matter are specified to be covered by a flat or a capped fee. For those activities included in the flat or capped fee, the Firm charges the established flat fee or up to the cap only, notwithstanding the time spent on them. Should additional activities not included in the flat or capped fee be requested by the Client or recommended by the Firm, further flat or capped fees could be established prior to commencing the associated work. If a flat or capped fee is not established or cannot be established, the related fees are charged according to the Per Hour rate.
Flat and capped fees do not include disbursements and taxes, if applicable.
Q: Is the ‘flat fee’ and ‘Service Plan’ the same thing?
A: If the Client selects one of our Service Plans, the flat fee is equal to the cost of the Service Plan. Otherwise, the applicable legal fee is the amount indicated beside the name of the selected service.
Q: Do the prices I see on the EL include VAT?
A: All the costs you see on the EL do not include VAT. At the end of the EL, you’ll see our terms of business.
Q: Am I subject to VAT on the EL pricing?
A: If you are a registered resident outside of the EU, VAT does not apply to you. You can read more about taxes on Italian legal services here.
Misc.
Q: Do I have to sign an EL in order to get assistance from SLM?
A: We have a few options for working with our law firm:
- Signing a specific Engagement Letter that might include capped/flat fees so you can be assured your total costs won’t be higher than that capped amount/flat fee.
- Signing a Per Hour Engagement Letter so that you pay only for the hours we work. Because there is no capped amount with a Per Hour EL, this is a great option only if you’re confident that you only need a few hours of our time.
- Continue to book pay as you go remote consultations, using this link: https://www.studiolegalemetta.com/booking-appointments/
Q: Can more than one Client sign a single EL?
A: Where there is family bond, it is possible for more than one Client to sign the same EL. However, for ELs related to citizenship and immigration, those fees refer to only one applicant. For each additional (adult or minor applicant) will be applied an additional fee which is generally a percentage of the fee for the first Client.
Q: What happens if I have to cancel work on my file for some reason before the activity is complete?
A: As per terms and conditions of Art. 2 of our Els, in cases where an activity covered by flat or capped fee for any reason should not be completed, or when partial or total fee payment was postponed to the end of the case, the accrued fee for work done up to that point shall be due at that time. In this case the due fee shall be calculated according to the Per Hour fee structure, remaining within the flat or capped fee established amount.
Q: I’m not sure what Qualifying Services I should choose (I am not sure what I will need), what should I do?
A: When you are reviewing the EL, we understand that after selecting a Service Plan, you may not know which Qualifying Services you will need or want. Please know that you have the option to leave those selections blank until we have started work on your case. Once we have a more complete understanding of what you will need at what time, we can provide guidance if you are still unsure.
Q: Can I sign the EL electronically? I don’t have access to a printer.
A: Yes, you can sign the EL electronically. SLM doesn’t offer a way to sign these electronically. However, you are free to use a web or mobile application to sign it electronically and return it to us. For example, many Clients use Adobe for this purpose.
Italian Citizenship EL:
Q: With all the information I have gathered and expenses I have already paid on my own, why do I need to pay for the ‘Italian Citizenship Profile Assessment’?
A: The Profile Assessment is not for us (SLM) to gather your documentation, but rather for us to review the documentation you already have and assess what you have that meets the criteria and what might still be needed in order to successfully apply for your Italian Citizenship.
More specifically, as you’ll see in the Engagement Letter, the Profile Assessment includes:
- Review Client’s specific case circumstances, documents, needs and expectations;
- Prepare and provide the Client with a customized case review and advice with information related to Italian citizenship application rules, regulations, requirements, timeline, cost and suggested course of action;
- Email correspondence and telephone consultations with Client (up to maximum 3 hours).
Many people come to us with much of the documentation (certificates, etc.) already in hand but the need is for us to assess whether there are missing pieces or pieces that the applicable consulate might not accept.
We would not be able to work on your application for Citizenship without certifying first, via the Profile Assessment, that your application is complete and will be successful when submitted.
Q: I’m confused about which vital records (certificates) are included in the Service Plans and which I have to pay extra for.
A: The Service Plans include the application for “… Client’s ancestors’ certificates in Italy (released by Italian offices)”
The additional services and their related legal fees refer to the non-Italian vital records. Regarding those services, please bear in mind that you are totally free to apply for the non-Italian Vital records/Apostille/translations on your own (in this case we will be glad to guide during the process without additional costs on you) or you can confirm our additional services listed within the attached EL for us to obtain those documents on your behalf.
Elective Residency Visa EL:
Q: Is the passive income amount listed net or gross?
A: Net
Q: I’m receiving multiple types of passive income. Which one should I select on the EL?
A: Please select all passive income options below that you are currently receiving. Once we review your information, we will let you know if any of the additional fees listed apply to you or not.