How to Get a Loan for Legal Fees

When facing legal expenses, you may need a loan to help cover the costs of an attorney’s fees, including retainers and hourly rates.

A variety of lenders offer personal loans that cover legal fees, as well as loans that are explicitly marketed as “legal fee loans.”

Legal fee loans work like any other personal loan: You borrow a lump sum and repay it with interest over time.

Understanding how these loans work and where to find them can make managing legal costs more affordable and less stressful.

Best loans for legal fees

Many lenders offer personal loans to cover legal expenses, including options for borrowers with bad credit or those seeking legal settlement loans.

We’ve researched various loans for legal fees, considering interest rates, loan limits, terms, and fees to highlight the best options. Below, you’ll find lenders offering personal loans for a range of credit profiles. Be sure to review eligibility requirements before applying.

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Tip

If you’re unsure of your credit score, check with your bank or credit card issuer, or use Credit Karma or a similar service to get your score for free.

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SoFi

Best for Good Credit

5.0 _/5

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Why we recommend SoFi for legal fees

SoFi^® is an excellent option for covering legal fees because it offers personal loans with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, which can help with both small and large legal expenses.

Its fast approval process ensures you can access funds as soon as the same day. SoFi charges no fees and offers a 0.25% interest rate reduction when you set up automatic payments, which can help lower your borrowing costs.

• Quick access to funds: Legal expenses often come up unexpectedly, and SoFi’s quick disbursement can help you stay on top of legal bills.
• No fees: SoFi assesses no origination fees, prepayment penalties, or late fees, making it easier to manage your legal expenses.
• Rate check without credit impact: You can check your loan options in 60 seconds without affecting your credit score, giving you a clear view of your options before committing.

While the minimum loan amount is $5,000, this higher threshold is a good fit for larger legal fees, such as attorney retainers or ongoing legal costs.

Fixed rates (APR)	8.99% – 29.99% with all discounts1
Loan amounts	$5,000 – $100,000
Repayment terms	2 – 7 years

Eligibility requirements

• Soft credit check? Yes
• Minimum credit score: 650
• States: All 50 states and D.C.
• Other requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or visa holder (J-1, H-1B, E-2, O-1, or TN)
  • At least 18 years old
  • Employed, have sufficient income from other sources, or have received an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days

Upgrade

Best for Fair Credit

4.9 _/5

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Why we recommend Upgrade for legal fees

Upgrade is a strong choice for borrowers with fair credit who need to cover legal fees. With loan amounts starting at $1,000, it’s ideal for those who need smaller sums to cover initial legal expenses, such as consultation fees or filing costs.

Upgrade can fund your loan within one business day of application approval, helping you manage legal costs as soon as you need them.

• Low loan minimum: Upgrade’s $1,000 minimum loan makes it a good fit for borrowers with smaller legal bills, like court fees or initial retainers.
• Quick funding: If time is of the essence, Upgrade can provide funds as soon as the next business day after verification.
• Joint applications: You can apply with a co-borrower to increase your chances of approval or secure better terms.
• Rate check without credit impact: Check your rate in minutes without affecting your credit score.

• Fees: Charges an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%

Upgrade’s origination fee is factored into the annual percentage rate (APR), so be sure to account for this when calculating the total cost of borrowing for legal fees.

Rates (APR)	8.49% – 35.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – $50,000
Repayment terms	2 – 7 years

Eligibility requirements

• Soft credit check? Yes
• Minimum credit score: 580
• States: All 50 states and D.C.
• Other requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or in the U.S. on a valid visa
  • Must be 18+ years old (19+ in Alabama and other select states)
  • Must be able to provide verifiable bank info and have a valid email

Upstart

Best for Thin Credit

4.8 _/5

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Why we recommend Upstart for legal fees

Upstart is an excellent option for borrowers with low credit scores who need help covering legal expenses. It accepts applicants with credit scores as low as 300, and you can prequalify online without affecting your credit score. This makes it a strong choice if your legal costs are high but your credit is less than perfect.

• Low credit score requirement: Upstart looks beyond just your credit score, using an AI-powered model that considers income and education, making it more accessible for those with lower credit.
• Fast funding: Get funds as soon as the next day, which can be crucial for time-sensitive legal matters.
• Check your rate without credit impact: Upstart lets you see your loan options without affecting your credit in just a few minutes.

• Fees: Charges an origination fee of up to 12%

Upstart may charge an origination fee, so it’s important to factor this into the total cost when considering the loan for legal fees.

Rates (APR)	7.80% – 35.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – $50,000
Repayment terms	3 – 5 years

Eligibility requirements

• Soft credit check? Yes
• Minimum credit score: 300 (the lowest possible)
• Minimum income: $12,000
• States: All 50 states and D.C.
• Other requirements:
  • Must have a verifiable name, date of birth, and Social Security number
  • Must be 18+ years of age
  • Must have a job (or job offer or verifiable source of regular income), valid email address, and U.S. address
  • Must meet minimum credit underwriting requirements (that is, an established credit history); if no credit history, borrowers must be enrolled in a degree program (associate, bachelor’s, or more advanced) at an accredited school
  • Must have a valid bank account

Eligibility requirements for legal loans

Legal loans are simply personal loans that cover attorney fees, retainers, or other legal costs. Like other personal loans, eligibility depends on factors such as credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio.

The exact requirements depend on the lender, but here’s what is common based on our research:

Requirement	Minimum
Credit score	580 (Some lenders have no minimum requirement)
Citizenship	U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or have cosigner who is
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio	Generally below 36%

Which legal fees can you cover with loans?

You can use loans for legal fees to pay various costs. Understanding the different legal fees you may encounter can give you a better idea of how much you might need to borrow. 

The figures listed here are ranges only. The amount you’ll pay for legal fees depends on your location, the attorney’s experience and reputation, and the work required to resolve your case. 

Should you use a personal loan for legal fees?

Using a personal loan for legal fees can offer financial relief, but it’s important to assess your situation carefully. Start by asking yourself these questions:

1. How much do I need to borrow?
2. What interest rates am I likely to qualify for?
3. What kind of monthly payment is affordable for my budget?

Next, compare loan options by looking at loan amounts, interest rates, repayment terms, and fees to find the best fit.

For some cases, such as legal settlements, you might prefer a settlement loan, allowing you to repay with settlement proceeds instead of monthly payments.

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Tip

Remember that legal loans are debt. Review your budget and use a loan calculator to estimate payments and determine whether a loan makes sense for your financial situation.

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How much should you borrow?

The amount you can borrow with legal loans will depend on the lender. As you can see from the lending options we profiled, the minimum loan amount can range from $1,000 to $5,000. The maximum, meanwhile, may run from $50,000 to $100,000. 

It’s essential to choose the right loan amount for your needs. Borrow too little, and you may need additional loans to cover legal fees. Borrow too much, and you’ll pay interest on money you didn’t need. 

Shopping around for the best personal loan lenders and rates can give you a better idea of what’s available and how much you could borrow with different loans. 

Alternatives to legal settlement loans

A legal loan is one option to pay attorney fees, but it isn’t the only way to borrow. You could pay legal fees using any of the following:

• Home equity loan. Home equity loans allow you to borrow a lump sum using your home as collateral. A home equity loan may offer lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than a personal loan for legal fees.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC). A HELOC is a revolving credit line that lets you borrow money as needed to pay expenses, including legal fees. Your home equity secures a HELOC, and HELOCs often have variable, rather than fixed, interest rates.
• Credit card. It’s possible to pay legal fees using a credit card if your attorney accepts that payment. Be sure to consider the rate because carrying a balance could make paying legal fees more expensive. 

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Tip

We advise caution with these options if you’re going through a legal separation or divorce.

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If you want to avoid getting a loan for legal fees, consider asking your attorney about an installment plan. Your attorney may be willing to work out a payment arrangement so you can pay the fees over time. You can also contact your local legal aid organization for free or low-cost legal services.

How we chose the best personal loans for legal expenses

Since 2017, LendEDU has evaluated personal loan companies to help readers find the best personal loans. Our latest analysis reviewed 1,029 data points from 49 lenders and financial institutions, with 21 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

Recap of the best legal loans