Start with the written agreement
A contingency arrangement generally connects the lawyer’s fee to a recovery, but percentages, stages, scope, and local requirements vary. The signed agreement controls. Ask whether a different rate applies after filing or trial preparation.
Separate fees from case expenses
Ask which expenses may be incurred, who advances them, whether approval is required, when they are repaid, and what happens if there is no recovery. Request an example showing whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee.
Ask about other deductions
Medical liens, benefit-plan claims, bills, taxes, or other obligations may affect a distribution depending on the facts. Ask who identifies and addresses them and what appears on the closing statement.
Understand ending representation
Read termination and withdrawal terms. Ask what fees or expenses might be asserted, how the file is transferred, and how a dispute is handled. Rules differ by jurisdiction, so direct local questions to a lawyer or bar authority.