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.

In Maine, attorneys may charge clients using one of three common fee structures: hourly rates, contingent fees, or fixed fees. Hourly rates involve billing the client for each hour the attorney works on their case. A retainer, which is a fee deposit, may be required upfront to secure the attorney's services, and clients might need to replenish this deposit over time. Contingent fees mean the attorney receives a percentage of the client's recovery or settlement, aligning the attorney's payment with the outcome of the case. Fixed fees are set amounts agreed upon before the attorney begins work, and these can be paid in full or in part upfront. Regardless of the fee structure, attorneys in Maine are required to handle unearned fees ethically, holding them in a trust account until the fees are earned through work performed on the client's behalf.