Colleen Sahlas won't give you a single good reason to get paid up front -- she'll give you five good reasons. Here's one, from her article in the latest ISBA Real Property newsletter: "You could potentially delay your clients’ closing by 3 days or more if your attorney fee increases the buyer’s annual percentage rate by 0.125% or more as reflected on the Truth-in-Lending disclosure. The lender must incorporate all charges which will be on the HUD-1 at closing. That includes your attorney fee." Read the other four.