Calculate the client's net share from a legal settlement after deducting attorney fees, case costs, and liens. See a full breakdown.
When a legal case settles, the gross settlement amount is divided among multiple parties. The attorney receives their fee (typically a contingency percentage), case costs are reimbursed, outstanding liens (medical, government, etc.) are paid, and the client receives the remainder.
This calculator breaks down a legal settlement to show exactly how much the client takes home. Understanding this split is critical before accepting any settlement offer, as the gross number can be misleading if significant fees and liens are outstanding.
Settlement splits are most common in personal injury, workers' compensation, employment discrimination, and class action cases where attorneys work on a contingency basis.
Legal professionals, business owners, and individuals alike benefit from transparent settlement split calculations when evaluating obligations, settlements, or compliance requirements. Bookmark this page and return whenever circumstances change so you always have current figures at your fingertips.
From contract negotiations to dispute resolution, having reliable settlement split numbers at your disposal strengthens your position and streamlines decision-making. Adjust the inputs to reflect your unique circumstances and run the calculation as many times as needed to cover every plausible scenario.
From contract negotiations to dispute resolution, having reliable settlement split numbers at your disposal strengthens your position and streamlines decision-making. Adjust the inputs to reflect your unique circumstances and run the calculation as many times as needed to cover every plausible scenario.
Clients are often surprised by how much of their settlement goes to fees, costs, and liens. This calculator provides transparency before accepting a settlement offer. Instant recalculation as you change inputs lets you model multiple scenarios quickly, giving you the data foundation needed for well-informed legal and financial decisions. No registration or login is required, and you can return to this page anytime to re-run calculations as laws, rates, or circumstances evolve. No registration or login is required, and you can return to this page anytime to re-run calculations as laws, rates, or circumstances evolve.
Attorney Fees = Settlement × Fee Percentage Client Net = Settlement − Attorney Fees − Case Costs − Liens
Result: $46,670.00 client net
Attorney fee = $100,000 × 33.33% = $33,330. Subtract $8,000 case costs and $12,000 liens: $100,000 − $33,330 − $8,000 − $12,000 = $46,670 to the client.
Every settlement should come with a detailed settlement statement showing the gross amount, attorney fees, case costs, liens, and the net to the client. Review this document carefully and ask questions about any line item you do not understand.
Medical liens and health insurance subrogation claims can sometimes be negotiated down. Your attorney may be able to reduce liens by 30–50%, significantly increasing your net settlement. Government liens (Medicaid, Medicare) have specific reduction formulas.
If costs are deducted first: Attorney fee = (Settlement − Costs) × Rate. If the fee is on the gross: Attorney fee = Settlement × Rate. For a $100,000 settlement with $10,000 costs and 33% fee, the difference is $3,300.
Contingency fees typically range from 25% to 40%. Pre-litigation settlements are usually at the lower end (25–33.33%), while cases that go to trial are at the higher end (33.33–40%).
Case costs include filing fees, deposition costs, expert witness fees, medical record costs, investigator fees, and other out-of-pocket expenses the attorney advanced during the case. These are separate from the attorney fee.
Medical liens are claims by healthcare providers or health insurers for the cost of treatment related to the injury. They must be paid or negotiated from the settlement before the client receives their share.
This varies by agreement. Some attorneys deduct costs first, then take their percentage of the remainder. Others take their percentage of the gross, then deduct costs. The first method is better for the client.
Physical injury settlements are generally tax-free under IRS rules. Emotional distress, punitive damages, and employment settlements may be taxable. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Yes. Contingency fee percentages are negotiable, especially for larger cases or cases that settle quickly. Some states also cap contingency fees, particularly in medical malpractice cases.