Calculators
Retainer Depletion Calculator
Estimate how many months a legal or professional retainer will last at the current billing pace and when it needs topping up.
- Runs in your browser
- Nothing uploaded
The tool
Enter your numbers below. Results update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
Everything you enter stays on your own machine. Nothing is sent to us or to anyone else, which you can confirm in your browser network tab.
What people use it for
- Client budgeting for a legal matter
- Firm cash flow planning
- Requesting retainer top-ups on time
- Engagement letter discussions
About this tool
What the Retainer Depletion Calculator does
Many firms take a retainer in advance and bill against it. Knowing when the balance will reach the replenishment threshold, and when it will run out, lets clients plan payments and lets firms request top-ups before working unpaid.
Formula
- Monthly billing = hours × rate + costs
- Months to threshold = (balance − threshold) ÷ monthly billing
- Months to zero = balance ÷ monthly billing
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Retainer balance | $10,000 |
| Expected hours per month | 10 |
| Hourly rate | $350 |
| Expected costs per month | $200 |
| Replenish when balance falls to | $2,500 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Months until top-up is due | 2 months |
| Months until exhausted | 2.7 months |
| Monthly billing | $3,700 |
| Weeks until exhausted | 11.7 |
How to read the result
Retainer funds usually belong to the client until earned and must be held in a trust or client account under professional rules.
Busy phases such as discovery or trial preparation burn retainers much faster; recalculate before them.
General information only, not legal advice. Laws and court practice vary by jurisdiction; consult a qualified lawyer.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
An advance payment held by the firm and drawn down as fees and costs are billed.
The engagement terms usually require a top-up before further work.
Generally, unearned funds are returned to the client at the end of the matter.
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