$0 Disbursements – The Value Law Advantage
At Value Law, we understand that finding an affordable and reliable real estate lawyer is essential. That’s why we offer a lowest price guarantee with no hidden charges. With us, what you see is what you pay—no surprises.
One way we keep things transparent and simple is by not charging for disbursements.
What Are Disbursements?
In real estate transactions, “disbursements” are the costs that a lawyer pays upfront on behalf of the client to complete necessary steps in the process. Here are some common disbursements you might see elsewhere:
- Title Search Fees: For verifying property ownership.
- Couriers and Postage: For delivering documents to other law firms, banks etc.
- Corporate Registration Searches: For commercial properties or corporate entities.
- Mortgage Discharge Fees: To formally discharge a mortgage on a sold property.
- Tax Certificates: For verifying property tax status.
- Utility Searches: To check for outstanding utility bills.
- Software Transaction Fees: The costs of software used by a law firm for your transaction.
- Printing / Photocopy Fees: Costs for printing essential documents.
At Value Law, we cover all these disbursements so you don’t have to.
Additional Costs vs. Disbursements: What’s the Difference?
Beyond these basic disbursements, some law firms add “additional costs” for various services. Unlike disbursements, which are genuine out-of-pocket expenses, additional costs are extra fees that law firms often charge for managing these services.
This practice can make it challenging to understand your final bill and often leads to unexpected charges.
Examples of these additional costs might include:
- Title insurance processing fees
- File opening fees
- Fees for negotiating or maintaining monetary holdbacks
- Virtual meeting / out-of-province charges
- Real property report / compliance issues
- Out-of-province files
- Encumbrance review fees
- Next-day deposit fees on sale proceeds
- Bridge loans or revised mortgage instructions
- Contracts involving builders
- Homeowners association information statements
- Encroachment agreements
- Relaxation permits
- Additional titles for condos (e.g., parking or storage units)
At Value Law, we believe in transparent pricing and avoid adding these extra fees to your bill, keeping costs straightforward and manageable.
Getting a Quote? Be Careful of Additional Charges!
Often, you are only quoted the base legal fee a law firm charges, while actual disbursement costs and other fees are not disclosed until you meet with the lawyer to sign documents. By then, it’s too late to “shop around” for a better price. This lack of transparency can make budgeting difficult and lead to unexpected expenses at the closing stage.
Why Choose Value Law?
We’re upfront about all our costs. There are no surprises or hidden fees. Our team is experienced and dedicated to helping you with your real estate transaction. We offer top-notch service at a great value.
If you’re looking for an affordable real estate lawyer in Alberta, Value Law has you covered. Let us help you with your next home purchase or sale! Reach out to us to get started!