How Long Does a Forensic Handwriting Analysis Case Take?

Once you’ve hired a forensic document examiner, the next question is usually about the clock. How fast can you get an answer? I’ll be honest with you — most of that timeline isn’t in my hands. It’s in yours.

Let me walk you through what actually happens after you hire us, where the hours go, and why trying to rush a case usually works against you.

Where the Hours Actually Go

Most of the real work isn’t dramatic. It’s labeling, organizing, and scanning. If you want a polished report, someone also has to photograph the documents, build the exhibits, and label every piece of it. We have staff who carry that load — and it isn’t small. On a single case, our support staff can spend roughly eighteen hours just organizing and labeling the evidence.

My own part is shorter. I spend around four hours on the lab work, writing the opinion, and finishing the exhibits. That’s the sequence on most matters that cross my desk, whether the file came out of a Miami-Dade probate dispute or a Broward County contract fight.

What You’re Really Paying For

If you’re billed by the hour, the size of the stack doesn’t change much. A hundred documents or ten — you’re paying for time, not volume. For perspective, an experienced attorney here in South Florida might bill $850 an hour or more. Support staff time costs considerably less, which is exactly why a flat rate or a retainer can land in your favor.

If you’re working with someone other than our office, just ask the question plainly. Do they offer a flat rate or a retainer, and which one costs you less over the life of the case? You don’t have to take my word for any of this. Run the numbers and see which arrangement actually protects your budget.

Past the money, the goal is simple. Hire the best court-qualified examiner you can afford, and get the evidence into their hands fast. The sooner we have everything organized, the sooner we can turn it around. What I tell most clients is this: if you don’t have court this week, give us three weeks. When a hearing isn’t breathing down your neck, three weeks is enough to deliver a thorough, defensible report. If court is next week, you’re already behind the eight ball — call someone immediately. We rarely take a case when the court date is less than two days out.

Most people are surprised by how much of the calendar they control. The single biggest factor in how fast we deliver is how fast you get us organized, high-quality evidence. That part lives on your side of the table, not ours.

Why We Don’t Take Rush Cases

The reason is plain, and I’d rather say it out loud. When you first call, I don’t yet know whether I can help you. I’m not going to take your money and promise an outcome before I’ve looked at the documents.

We’re independent expert witnesses. Our job is to articulate the truth of what the handwriting shows. If that truth helps you, good — we’ll go to court. If it doesn’t, if it actually favors the other side, then the person across from you will never know you called us. We won’t testify against you. That’s simply not how we work. But we also can’t stand behind you if the evidence isn’t authentic and isn’t in our hands yet.

Time is the one thing a legal case never gives back. The earlier you hire your examiner and hand over what they need, the more thorough — and more defensible — the opinion will be. Don’t wait until you’re behind the eight ball.

Bart Baggett
The Nation’s Leading Forensic Handwriting Expert
CEO of Handwriting Experts Inc.
Forensic Document Examiner • Expert Witness • Legal Consultant
“We solve million-dollar forgery cases.”

Telephone: 1-305-459-1544

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FAQ
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How long does a forensic handwriting analysis case typically take?

Most cases take approximately three weeks once the examiner has all the evidence organized and in hand. If a court date is imminent, clients should contact an expert immediately to avoid falling behind.

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What factors affect the turnaround time for forensic document examination?

The single biggest factor is how quickly the client provides organized, high-quality evidence. Support staff may spend up to 18 hours organizing and labeling materials before analysis can even begin.

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Will a forensic document examiner accept a rush case?

Most examiners rarely accept cases where the court date is less than two days away. The examiner needs adequate time to evaluate the evidence and determine whether the findings support the client’s position before committing to testify.

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How is forensic handwriting analysis billed?

Examiners may charge by the hour or offer flat-rate or retainer arrangements. Clients should ask which option is most cost-effective for their specific case, particularly when a large volume of documents is involved.