Do Minors Pay a Lower Attorney Fee in Rhode Island?

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

We found no Rhode Island statute that caps injury contingency fees or sets a lower rate for a child. The fee comes from your written agreement, and any court that appoints a guardian or approves the settlement can look at it.

What we looked for

We searched the Rhode Island provisions on minors' releases (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-15.1-1), liens and limitation periods and found no percentage cap on a contingency fee and no separate fee rule for a minor. We did not read the Rules of Professional Conduct, so we cannot say what they require.

Court review

If a probate court appoints a guardian, or a court approves the settlement, the fee will be visible to it. We did not read a rule on what fee information a court requires, so ask your lawyer.

A worked example

On a $60,000 settlement with a one-third fee ($20,000), $2,500 in costs and $8,000 in medical bills and liens, the child's net is $29,500. At 25 percent the fee is $15,000 and the net $34,500. The Rhode Island minor's settlement calculator lets you change the fee. The figures are your inputs, not court-set amounts.

Other amounts that come out

Costs, medical bills and liens, and any guardian ad litem fee reduce the child's share. A hospital lien does not take precedence over the attorney's lien; see what a lien can take from a settlement.

Ask before you sign

Ask for the fee agreement in writing and what the court will be told. Then read what we found about guardians and payment options.

This is general information, not legal advice, and the state comparisons above are illustrative, not an exhaustive survey. Confirm how Rhode Island's rules apply to your specific case with a licensed Rhode Island attorney.