Hiring a lawyer often comes with important decisions, tight timelines, and significant financial considerations. Whether you're dealing with a family law matter, a business dispute, estate planning, immigration paperwork, or another legal issue, legal fees are frequently due before work begins or as a case progresses.
Legal fee financing allows clients to pay for legal services over time through a third party instead of paying the entire cost to the law firm upfront. Depending on the financing option, payments may be spread across several months through a fee loan or installment plan.
In this guide, we'll explain how fee financing works and answer common questions about the process.
What is Pay Later?
Pay Later through Affirm gives eligible clients a flexible way to pay legal fees over time, instead of paying the full amount upfront.
If you’re working with a law firm that uses a solution like 8am LawPay to collect payments, Pay Later through Affirm lets you apply for financing during checkout and choose from available installment options, subject to eligibility.
With Affirm, you can review your options before choosing a plan, including the annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, total repayment amount, and any amount due at the time of payment. There are no late fees, and checking eligibility does not affect your credit score.
Pay Later plans available through firms that use LawPay may include:
Financing for legal fee transactions up to $30,000
APRs from 0% to 36%, based on eligibility
Terms that may include 3, 6, 12, 18, or 24 months
No late fees
First payment typically due about one month after payment is processed
A down payment may be required in some cases
How to use Pay Later, step-by-step
Here are the key steps for setting up a payment plan with Pay Later:
1. Choose Pay Later at checkout
When paying your legal fees to a participating law firm, select Pay Later as your payment option.
2. Check your eligibility
Complete a secure application with basic information, including your name, date of birth, phone number, and Social Security number, to check your eligibility. This initial check doesn’t require a hard credit inquiry, so it won’t affect your credit score.
3. Receive a financing decision
In many cases, you'll receive a decision within seconds. Approval and financing terms are based on several factors, which may include your credit profile, financial history, existing debt obligations, prior payment history with Affirm, any current Affirm payment plans, and the amount of financing requested.
4. Review plan options
If approved, Affirm will show up to three payment plan options available to you. Before making a selection, you can review details such as:
APR
Payment schedule
Total interest over the life of the loan
Amount due at the time of purchase, including a down payment if required
Purchase amount for your legal services
Total repayment amount
Any other applicable fees
5. Select and confirm your plan
Choose the option that works best for you, review the loan terms and disclosures, and add your payment method.
6. Manage payments with Affirm
Once confirmed, your attorney receives payment for the legal services, and you can manage your plan through Affirm’s website or mobile app.
7. Move forward with your case
With payment arrangements in place, you can focus on working with your lawyer.
Explore your payment options
Researching your payment options can help you find an arrangement that fits your financial situation and gives you greater flexibility. Before accepting a financing agreement, review all of the terms, costs, and repayment schedule carefully so you can make an informed decision.
If you'd like to learn more about financing legal fees, ask your lawyer whether they offer financing through Pay Later or other flexible payment arrangements.