Armed with the following information, consumers can better negotiate fees and services with their legal and medical providers.

How to Negotiate With Lawyers

Most everyday legal transactions-wills, real estate closings, contracts, traffic tickets, bankruptcies, probating of estates, uncontested divorces, incorporations-are (from the lawyer's perspective) simple. Almost any competent general practitioner can handle these matters. In fact, such work is so routine that many lawyers flat-rate it, charging, for example $500 for a standard real estate settlement or a will.

Comparison-shop a few lawyers (the initial consultation should be free) and buy strictly on price. Further concessions may be won with the suggestion of an ongoing relationship. The lawyer knows that a startup business or a new family may provide a growing, increasingly profitable stream of future legal work.