Shoutout to the lawyer who told me to always add a 'kill fee' clause for creative work

Back when I was starting my freelance design business, a client ghosted me halfway through a big website project. I had already put in about 40 hours of work with no payment. My contract just said payment was due upon completion. A lawyer friend looked it over and said I needed a specific clause for this. She helped me write a simple 'kill fee' term stating that if the client cancels the project after the first draft, they owe 50% of the total quote. I added it to my standard contract template. It saved me from a total loss on two different jobs last year. Has anyone else found a specific clause that protects you when a project gets cancelled?

4 comments

4 Comments

hannah_craig2mo ago

So the lawyer didn't just send you a bill for that advice?

karen_hill32mo ago

Game changer" reminds me of my plumber's 4-hour minimum charge.

the_rose9d ago

...and that's the thing though, how do you even bring that up in a conversation without sounding like you don't trust them? Like I get having a kill fee on paper, but actually saying "Hey, before you do any work, here's what happens if you screw me over" - that just feels so awkward to me. Maybe I'm overthinking it but lawyers have that whole professional mystique thing going on, don't they? Seems like they'd just tell you to find someone else if you're already being that careful.

caseya742mo ago

Oh man, that's such a smart move. I got burned the same way early on, and it's the worst feeling. That kill fee clause is a total game changer for peace of mind. It makes those tough conversations so much easier when you can just point to the contract. Really glad you shared this, more people need to know about it.