When landlords or tenants think about eviction costs, they often focus on the most visible expenses—such as attorney legal fees for eviction and court filing charges. However, the eviction process involves a series of legal steps and administrative requirements, many of which come with smaller, less obvious costs. These legal fees, though often overlooked, can accumulate quickly and significantly impact the final cost of an eviction. Whether you’re a landlord preparing to evict a tenant or a tenant facing eviction proceedings, it’s essential to understand the full scope of potential legal fees.
Document Preparation Costs
One of the most commonly overlooked legal expenses is the cost of preparing and serving legal documents. Landlords must usually serve tenants with a notice to quit, notice to pay rent or vacate, or other similar notices depending on the cause for eviction. While some landlords draft these notices themselves, many opt to pay a legal professional or eviction service to ensure they meet legal standards.
Fees for professionally drafted eviction notices typically range from $50 to $200 per notice, depending on complexity and local legal requirements. Failing to use a properly prepared document can lead to case dismissal, so many landlords treat this cost as a necessary legal safeguard.
Process Server or Sheriff’s Fees
Eviction law requires that tenants receive proper legal notice of the eviction case. This often involves hiring a process server or local sheriff’s department to deliver the court summons and complaint. While it might seem like a routine task, the associated fees are sometimes unexpected.
Process servers typically charge $40 to $100 per attempt, and multiple attempts may be needed if the tenant is avoiding service. Some jurisdictions require or allow service only through a sheriff’s office, which may charge similar or slightly higher fees. These costs are considered legal in nature and are typically necessary to move the eviction case forward.
Notarization and Certification Fees
Many court documents and affidavits used in eviction cases must be notarized or certified. While the individual fee per notarized document is relatively low—generally $10 to $25—the cumulative cost can be higher than expected when multiple documents need this treatment.
In some states, landlords may also need to file certified copies of court orders or notices, incurring additional fees per page or per filing. These legal technicalities are easy to overlook during budgeting but are often required for compliance with court rules.
Administrative and Miscellaneous Legal Costs
Administrative fees tied to eviction cases can also fly under the radar. These include:
- Copying and mailing costs for notices or legal filings
- Transportation costs to and from court hearings or attorney meetings
- Court reporter or transcription fees if required for appeal or recordkeeping
- Post-judgment filing fees, such as those related to writs of possession or wage garnishment
Individually, these expenses may not seem significant, but collectively they can add several hundred dollars to the overall cost of an eviction.
Final Thoughts
Legal fees related to eviction are not limited to attorney fees or court filing costs. There are numerous smaller, often unnoticed expenses that play a critical role in completing a lawful eviction. Landlords should budget for the full range of possible costs, and tenants should understand what might be charged to them if they are found responsible under lease terms or court orders. Awareness of these hidden legal fees can lead to better preparation, fewer surprises, and more efficient handling of the eviction process.
