Every flat fee is quoted in writing in the engagement letter before the firm starts work. The engagement letter names the matter, the scope of work covered by the flat fee, what is excluded, the third-party costs the client pays directly, and the schedule on which the firm will report progress. Flat fees on Kentucky matters are earned on receipt under SCR 3.130(1.5)(f); the firm holds client funds in IOLTA only when the engagement specifies escrow rather than flat fee.
If the matter materially changes scope mid-engagement, the firm proposes a written amendment to the engagement letter rather than billing additional time. The client's authorization is required before the expanded scope begins.
AI assists with drafting, research, and summarization on Kentucky matters under KBA Ethics Opinion E-457 (March 15, 2024) and the Rules of Professional Conduct it cites — SCR 3.130 (1.1) (1.4) (1.5)(a) and (b) (1.6) (5.1)(b) and (8.4). The lawyer is responsible for the work product. You can decline AI use on your matter; that does not change the published flat fee.
Compliance reference: SCR 3.130(7.10) (false-or-misleading advertising baseline), SCR 3.130(7.15) (advertising of fees), SCR 3.130(7.20)(3) (firm-name advertising rules), SCR 3.130(1.5)(a) (fee reasonableness eight-factor test), AAC Regulation 1 (advertising-disclosure framework).