It’s time that you found the right attorney to handle your case. As you continue reading, you will see how the selection process can be better narrowed down to suit your needs. You must realize that it’s important that you find the right lawyer, and the “when” is also very important.
It is important to think about the specialty of a lawyer your are hiring. You want to make sure you hire the lawyer you need. You do not want to hire a lawyer that specializes in criminal law to do your estate planning. Choosing a lawyer that specializes in whatever area of law you need, will guarantee you get someone who has a lot of experience in that area and can do a good job.
Ask everyone you know if they’ve used a lawyer for a legal situation such as yours, and who they might recommend. Don’t forget to collect references for the lawyers on your short list and check them out. Also conduct a background check and Google them to see what others say about their services.
Be realistic about what you can spend. It is important to consider what you could lose if you do not win before the case even gets filed in court. Research the costs of similar cases charged by attorneys you are considering. Discuss your budget and the things you need to have accomplished within that budget. You should also make sure you know if they charge higher fees for bigger wins.
When you are going to a consultation with your lawyer, do not be scared to do your own interview. Ask him or her about their familiarity with the situation you are in, how much success they have, or anything else you feel you should know. If they refuse to answer your questions, they may be trying to hide something, meaning you may want to look elsewhere.
Keep a paper trail. Document all conversations and meetings with your lawyer. Take note of all questions asked, as well as their answers and record all arrangements and discussions of fees and charges. Lawyers are only human and make mistakes. Give yourself a layer of protection with excessive record keeping.
Most attorneys charge for their services by the hour, but hiring one with a lower hourly rates does not mean your total cost will be less. If your lawyer needs two hours to complete a job that some other lawyer can complete in an hour, you will pay more in the long run.
Make sure you know how much you are going to spend before you hire a lawyer. Lawyers can be very expensive. Their hourly rates can break your budget before they even begin to help you. Make sure you know the costs upfront and if you cannot afford a particular lawyer, search for one that you can afford.
Look for a lawyer who focuses on your area of need. Most lawyers will specialize in one form of law or another. If you are looking for help with child support or custody, look for a family lawyer. If you need help with housing, you’ll need a real estate lawyer.
Do not go to Housing court unprepared. That includes having a lawyer by your side. Housing courts are confusing and filled with red tape. Even the slightest misstep can cost your your living arrangements. The law for housing courts can vary from city to city, so a lawyer is your strongest asset.
In certain states, if a bread winner dies on the job, the family members may qualify for compensation. Workers’ comp sometimes extends to the immediate family. Bring all of your information to a lawyer to get the highest level of clarity.
When you are trying to hire a lawyer for your case, do not hesitate to ask them for some references. You should talk with two or three people that can give you a good idea of what to expect. You should hire someone else if they give you a hard time about providing references.
Remember that you are not the only client of your lawyer. While you may think you should control their time as your case is hugely important and you’re paying their salary, think again. The lawyer has to divide their time between all of their clients, so give them a break.
Look around when you first enter a prospective lawyer’s office. Do things look organized? Are papers scattered everywhere? Is the office cluttered and disorderly? They’ll end up billing you for the time it takes to find your paperwork, so keep this in mind.
If you have any problems at all with a lawyer, from personality conflict to discomfort with fees, keep looking. Don’t agree to anything that makes you uncomfortable or causes you concern. For example, some unscrupulous lawyers want clients to sign a blank check to keep on hand. Naturally, this is not a good idea!
Depending on the type of case you are involved in, personality really does matter. For example, if you are dealing with a child custody situation, you are probably going to have a lot of questions for your attorney as time goes on. You want to make sure whoever you hire is approachable and willing to get back to you quickly.
When you want to start a new business with a partner, as an LLC or as a corporation, you absolutely must hire a lawyer. If your firm will involve any investors or stocks, this is even more important. The lawyer can protect you from any legal complications which can arise in the future.
When looking at lawyers, try volunteer legal organizations. Many states have these organizations that can help you find a reliable lawyer. They usually include minority bar associations and legal aid societies and they may focus on types of income or particular types of law. You can usually find these local organizations by looking at the state bar’s website.
“When” you find an attorney has everything to do with your “win” for your case. However, it’s not just “when,” but you must remember everything else you’ve read about the selection process so that you have the right attorney for your need. Use the tips you’ve just read so that you can find a good one.
9 comments
Thanks for explaining some of the things you should look for when choosing a lawyer. You make a good point about how you would want to choose an attorney who specializes in the area of law you need help in. Since I am going through a divorce, it makes sense that I would want to make sure I hire someone who has extensive experience handling divorce cases. I will have to make sure I ask around for some referrals to a reputable divorce lawyer.
My best friend and her husband have been struggling with their marriage for quite some time now, and have finally decided that it is time to get a divorce. She really wants to hire a lawyer, so I will have to pass this information on to her so she knows how to choose the best one. l like the idea you give of making sure she is being realistic about what she can spend, and making sure that she stays within the budget. I imagine that it would also be a good idea to find someone that will give her an initial consultation so that all her questions can be answered.
These are some great tips, and I appreciate your advice to be realistic when it comes to what you can spend on a lawyer. My husband and I are going to be separating, and I need to find a good attorney to guide me through the legal side of things. I’ll definitely sit down and figure out a budget I can afford so I can choose an attorney within my price range. Thanks for the great post!
I definitely agree that it is important to not choose an attorney that you have a personality conflict with. In my opinion, this is important because it can define how often you will work with this attorney. If you don’t get along with them very well, then you probably won’t want to talk with them as often, which could make your case harder to win.
I like that you encourage people to be realistic about what they can afford to spend on an attorney. After all, depending on how the attorney does their fees you may have to still pay even if you lose the case. You want to make sure that you have your budget well figured out before you start looking around for an attorney to help you.
Thanks a lot for useful information I will make use to follow all your tips but I would like to add one more point, it is really important to choose a lawyer with sufficient resources who can get us rightful compensation we deserve.
My best friend is going through a pretty tough divorce. We want to make sure he gets a lawyer that can help him through the tough situation. Thanks for mentioning to ask for references. That way, you can hear from past clients how the lawyer works and decide if they are right for you.
I agree that you shouldn’t be afraid to do your own interview for your potential lawyer. It’s important that you find a lawyer that can help you feel comfortable asking questions and explaining your concerns. That way, they will be able to provide you with the service you need. Plus, you will have more peace of mind knowing that your lawyer can help you.
You wrote that you should not be afraid to hold your own interview for the lawyer, and make sure that you ask them all the questions you have and put all concerns to rest. A good friend of mine might need a divorce lawyer, and I told them I would do some homework for them. We’ll have to start making a list of good questions, so that we can identify the perfect match for my friend’s situation.
Comments are closed.