What it means
Different arrangements share the label
A contract should specify what the fee buys, whether later services are charged separately and how unused amounts are treated. The word retainer alone does not establish that money is earned immediately or is nonrefundable.
Legal-service distinctions
California attorney rules distinguish a true retainer paid solely for availability from compensation for services performed or to be performed. Advances for work can have different trust-account and refund requirements. Other professions and jurisdictions use their own rules, so a template label cannot decide the proper treatment.
Related concepts
In practice
A concrete example
A consultant’s agreement states whether a monthly fee buys defined services or availability and describes unused time and termination terms.
Technical notes & boundaries
Do not transfer California attorney rules to every consultant or country. Payment in cryptocurrency does not independently change the engagement’s refund or client-money obligations.
Go to the source.
Original references used for this definition. Product details and standards can change.
- 01California attorney conduct rules: feeshttps://www.calbar.ca.gov/legal-professionals/rules/rules-professional-conduct/current-rules-professional-conduct/chapter-1-lawyer-client-relationship
- 02State Bar of California: client trust account guidelineshttps://www.calbar.ca.gov/legal-professionals/maintaining-compliance/client-trust-accounting-iolta/client-trust-account-guidelines-attorneys