Attorneys generally charge their clients in one of three ways: (1) an agreed hourly rate, times the number of hours the attorney spends on the matter; (2) a contingent fee, in which the attorney receives a percentage of the amount recovered or received by the client in the matter; or (3) a fixed-fee in which the attorney charges an agreed amount (often with some or all of the fee paid before work begins). If the attorney is charging on an hourly basis, he may require a fee deposit (sometimes called a retainer) to secure payment of the hourly fees. The client may be required to replenish this fee deposit. The attorney must hold the unearned fee deposit in her trust account until she does the work and is entitled to some or all of the payment. If there is a fee dispute between the attorney and client, and the attorney and client are unable to resolve the dispute, many state bar associations offer optional (and sometimes mandatory) fee dispute resolution procedures.

In North Dakota, attorneys may charge clients using one of three common fee structures: hourly rates, contingent fees, or fixed fees. Hourly rates involve charging a set amount for each hour the attorney works on a client's case. A retainer or fee deposit may be required upfront to secure payment for these services, which the attorney must keep in a trust account until the work is performed and the fees are earned. Contingent fees mean the attorney receives a percentage of the client's recovery in the case, aligning the attorney's compensation with the outcome of the matter. Fixed fees are predetermined amounts agreed upon for specific legal services, often paid before work begins. In the event of a fee dispute that cannot be resolved directly between the attorney and client, the State Bar Association of North Dakota offers a fee dispute resolution service, which can be a resource for clients seeking to address concerns over legal fees.