There are no restrictions on the types of law that Kitchener lawyers can practice. Lawyers in Kitchener can appear and represent clients in court.
If you are trying to find the best lawyers in Kitchener, read on. You would likely want to consult a lawyer for advice and assistance on:
- Divorce or separation
- Criminal charges
- Drafting a will
- Buying or selling a home
- Buying or selling a business
- Dealing with an estate
- Incorporating a business
- Employment issues
- Personal injury matters
- Motor vehicle accident matters
- Suing or being sued
Kitchener lawyers have ethical obligations to clients. A lawyer’s principal responsibility is to ensure that each client obtains the benefit of their legal rights and is made aware of their legal obligations. Kitchener lawyers have three fundamental obligations. They must:
- Serve clients competently
- Be loyal to clients
- Keep client communications confidential
Additionally, Kitchener lawyers must provide a certain quality of service. The types of services lawyers should provide include:
- Answering legal questions
- Helping clients find answers
- Appearing in court on a client’s behalf
- Mediating disputes
- Counseling clients
- Planning estates
- Administering wills
- Drafting contracts
- Structuring private business deals
- Lobbying government to change laws
- Drafting legislation
- Writing letters and opinions
- Taking steps to avoid litigation
- Negotiating case settlements
- Providing advice about clients’ legal problems and possible outcomes
What Should I Know Before Hiring a Kitchener Lawyer?
Before hiring a Kitchener lawyer, do your research on their knowledge, skill, and area of expertise. If you are trying to find a lawyer, remember that all communications between you and your lawyer regarding your legal representation are protected by the attorney-client privilege. Ask your lawyer:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled before?
- How long have you practiced law?
- In what areas of law do you practice?
- Are you a partner or an associate?
- How much of your time is devoted to my particular problem area?
Next, when trying to find a lawyer in Kitchener, ask about their time restraints and level of accessibility:
- Do you have time to deal with my problem quickly?
- How quickly can I expect a resolution?
- How often can we meet?
It’s also important to ask a Kitchener lawyer about costs:
- How much do you charge for your services?
- Approximately how much will your services cost me in total?
- Do you provide clients with a detailed statement of fees?
- Do you charge for the first meeting?
How Can a Kitchener Lawyer Assist Me?
A Kitchener lawyer may be able to benefit you by:
- Appearing as your counsel
- Drawing, revising, or settling petitions, memorandums, associations, articles of association, applications, settlements, affidavits, minutes, resolutions, by-laws, or other documents relating to incorporating, registering, organizing, dissolving, or winding-up of a corporate body
- Representing you in any pleading for use in judicial proceedings
- Drafting wills, deeds of settlement, trust deeds, power of attorneys, or any other document relating to probate letters of administration or the estate of a deceased person
- Representing you under any document relating to proceedings under an Act of Kitchener or an Act of Canada
- Settling any instrument relating to property that is intended, permitted, or required to be registered, recorded, or filed in a registry or other public office
- Drawing any act or deed or negotiating for the settlement of any claim or demand for tort damages
- Agreeing to place at the disposal of any other person the services of a barrister or solicitor
- Giving you legal advice
When Should I See a Kitchener Lawyer?
There are many situations where seeing a lawyer may be helpful. The following is a list of a few of those situations:
- Buying or selling real estate property
- Creating or amending a will
- If you’ve been detained or arrested
- If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense
- If you have been unjustly fired from your job
- If you have been unjustly evicted
How Much Will it Cost Me to Hire a Lawyer in Kitchener?
There is no standard fee for legal services because Kitchener lawyers use various fees for their services.
The cost of having a lawyer represent you should be discussed during your initial meeting. Kitchener’s lawyer’s fees must be fair and reasonable. Fees are based on:
- The lawyer’s experience and skill level
- The complexity of your legal matter
- The time and effort it will take to resolve your case
- The standard rate charged by other Kitchener lawyers
Some common types of lawyers fees are:
- Fixed or flat fees: Fees that are charged for certain types of legal work, such as divorces or contract disputes.
- Hourly rate fee: A lawyer in Kitchener charges hourly for services. Hourly rates may vary depending on your lawyer and the nature of your case. You will be charged based on the number of hours your Kitchener lawyer spends on your legal issue, which could include time spent on the phone, in meetings, conducting research, preparing documents, corresponding with others, or appearing in court.
- Retainer fee: Retainer fees are a deposit made in advance to cover your early legal costs. Retainer fees count as payments towards your final bill. As the work on your case progresses, you may be required to pay another retainer to cover ongoing costs.
- Contingency fee: If your Kitchener lawyer charges a contingency fee, you will not be billed until your case is settled. Contingency fees are typically a percentage of the money you as a client receive. If no money is recovered during your case, your lawyer collects no fee. Contingency fee agreements may require you to pay your lawyer’s disbursements regardless of the case outcome. Remember that contingency fees are most commonly used in personal injury cases.
How Can I Find a Kitchener Lawyer?
You can use LegalMatch to find a Kitchener lawyer near you. There is no fee to schedule a consultation. Use LegalMatch to find the best lawyers in Kitchener for all your legal needs.
Locate Lawyers in Kitchener Quickly
You can use a lawyer locating service like LegalMatch to research the background of Kitchener lawyers before hiring them easily. LegalMatch provides contact information for pre-screened lawyers, as well as background information including:
- Their experience and educational information;
- Fee information;
- Malpractice coverage; and
- Reviews from former clients.
Consider using LegalMatch’s services to find the best lawyers in Kitchener today. There, you can compare lawyers in Kitchener. There is no fee to schedule a consultation, and our services are entirely confidential. Use LegalMatch to find the best Kitchener lawyers for your legal needs today.