You need a lawyer. How do you find a reputable attorney who will deliver value at a reasonable price? Do you thumb through the yellow pages? Watch TV for commercials? By following these tips, you can find and hire an attorney that will well-serve your particular needs:
#1: Call friends or your state bar for a recommendation.
The best way to find a good lawyer is through a personal recommendation. Call your friends, family, colleagues or anyone you trust. However, if you come up short, you may have to resort to contacting your state bar association for a referral (http://www.statebarassociations.org/). In either event, follow the remaining steps below, optimally, with three different attorneys so that you may choose the best fit for you.
#2: Contact the attorney and inquire about a free consultation.
Most attorneys will agree to free consultations. Write down the key facts about your situation, and make a list of questions you hope to have answered. Though you may not get your questions answered for free, this process will prepare you for your meeting with the attorney, where you will be able to discuss your case as well as evaluate the attorney.
#3: Trust is king.
When at the consultation, evaluate how you feel with the attorney. Trust and honesty from both parties are critical.
#4: Experience counts.
When all is said and done, the next most important thing that matters is experience. When you engage the services of an attorney, you need to hire a lawyer that has specific experience in the particular area of the law in which you are seeking legal representation. Most attorneys have become specialists, and you want someone who has been dealing with situations like yours for a number of years.
#5: Understand the money.
Find out how and when fees and expenses will be charged. Make sure you are clear on this and take detailed notes. You will then be able to compare the charges of other attorneys you interview before choosing on your attorney. In most cases, the attorney will charge hourly rates for time, plus will charge for expenses (phone calls, postage, etc.). Some cases, such as simple will preparation, may be done on a project/lump sum basis. Yet other cases, such as personal injury cases, are often done on a "contingency" basis, where the client pays expenses only. Then, at the end of the case, the attorneys would take a percentage of any money obtained for the client.
#1: Call friends or your state bar for a recommendation.
The best way to find a good lawyer is through a personal recommendation. Call your friends, family, colleagues or anyone you trust. However, if you come up short, you may have to resort to contacting your state bar association for a referral (http://www.statebarassociations.org/). In either event, follow the remaining steps below, optimally, with three different attorneys so that you may choose the best fit for you.
#2: Contact the attorney and inquire about a free consultation.
Most attorneys will agree to free consultations. Write down the key facts about your situation, and make a list of questions you hope to have answered. Though you may not get your questions answered for free, this process will prepare you for your meeting with the attorney, where you will be able to discuss your case as well as evaluate the attorney.
#3: Trust is king.
When at the consultation, evaluate how you feel with the attorney. Trust and honesty from both parties are critical.
#4: Experience counts.
When all is said and done, the next most important thing that matters is experience. When you engage the services of an attorney, you need to hire a lawyer that has specific experience in the particular area of the law in which you are seeking legal representation. Most attorneys have become specialists, and you want someone who has been dealing with situations like yours for a number of years.
#5: Understand the money.
Find out how and when fees and expenses will be charged. Make sure you are clear on this and take detailed notes. You will then be able to compare the charges of other attorneys you interview before choosing on your attorney. In most cases, the attorney will charge hourly rates for time, plus will charge for expenses (phone calls, postage, etc.). Some cases, such as simple will preparation, may be done on a project/lump sum basis. Yet other cases, such as personal injury cases, are often done on a "contingency" basis, where the client pays expenses only. Then, at the end of the case, the attorneys would take a percentage of any money obtained for the client.
1 comment:
I think choosing right attorney is one of the most important decision you'll have to make in your legal process and i must say that points that you made here is very interesting.
Wollongong Family Law
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