When you have a legal problem, you want the best legal representation possible to handle your case. Hiring an attorney can assist you in protecting your rights and duties. One of the first things you should consider is whether you need an attorney to handle your issue. It is easy to know if you need a lawyer in certain situations, such as being charged with a crime, being a defendant in a lawsuit, or needing a divorce.
However, lawyers, including those at LegalMatch, can help with many other things as well and can even simply provide advice if that is all you need. An attorney can help you understand the complicated rules of business negotiations, adopt a child, plan your estate, file your taxes in the most advantageous manner, and so much more.
Having the help of a lawyer can help you avoid future issues, such as financial or emotional hardships. The pre-screened and qualified attorneys at LegalMatch are ready to help you with your legal question or issue today.
Once you decide to hire an attorney, there are several things to consider, including:
- Can you afford their legal services? You can pay the attorney on an hourly, one-time, or percentage basis if you win the lawsuit.
- Is the attorney licensed to operate in the state where you have a legal problem?
- Is the attorney experienced in handling situations similar to yours?
- What is the attorney’s success rate when dealing with cases like yours?
It is critical that the lawyer you pick has the necessary legal expertise and experience to handle your case.
How Quickly Do I Need a Lawyer?
How quickly you need to hire a lawyer will depend on the issue. For example, if you have been charged with a crime or have been served with a lawsuit, it is important to act immediately.
If you are considering talking to a lawyer for advice and planning, it is never too early to start. An investment on the front end of a situation, such as tax planning or estate planning, can help you avoid stressful financial and emotional issues down the road.
Where Do I Begin Looking for a Lawyer?
There are so many attorneys out there, the thought of finding the right one may seem daunting. It is important to find a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction, which LegalMatch automatically handles for you when you submit your question or issue.
Next, you need to find a lawyer who handles the specific type of issue you have. A family law attorney will not likely be as helpful with planning your estate as an estate attorney.
LegalMatch also makes this part easy by automatically matching you with an attorney who practices in the area of law you need.
What About Ethical Violations?
Another critical step is to see if the attorney has any transgressions on their professional record.
A violation of a law or set of rules is referred to as an infraction. Attorneys must conduct themselves professionally and ethically. Each state has its own set of rules and regulations that attorneys who are licensed to practice law in that state must obey.
You can check the websites of your state bar association or state disciplinary board to see whether an attorney you are considering has a history of disciplinary offenses.
Many states allow you to search for their state bar attorneys, which will provide their license number, mailing address, place of employment, schooling, and any infractions on their records. Other states will provide you with a location where you can submit a request for information via mail or email.
Should I Read Reviews from Past and Present Clients
Absolutely. Customer reviews are excellent resources for researching potential attorneys. Consumer reviews are customer reports and replies about a product or service. Such testimonials from former clients or other individuals about an attorney may help you understand what you might encounter as a client of that attorney.
There are various ways to find consumer reviews, including:
- Consumer or legal websites;
- People in the community spreading the word
- The state bar association; or
- A web search for the lawyer or the law firm where the lawyer works.
What Are Some Other Tips and Tricks when Searching for an Attorney?
Read advertisements carefully
If an offer sounds too good to be true, as the old adage goes, it most likely is. There are many reputable lawyers who do not even do much advertising and only rely on word of mouth. The size of a lawyer’s ad does not necessarily reflect their ability to practice law.
Do not hire a lawyer who solicits you as a client
If, without your permission, a lawyer or someone acting on his behalf contacts you in person or by telephone and asks you to hire him in connection with your accident, it is commonly referred to as “ambulance chasing.” This practice is against the Legal Rules of Professional Conduct. If a lawyer is willing to break the ethical rules they are supposed to follow to gain you as a client, you likely do not want them representing you.
Find out exactly what you will be paying for
Even if two lawyers use the same fee schedule to charge their clients, no two cases will be the same and the fees will likely always cover different issues. For example, fees may be used to cover transportation and lodging, research, and other case-related items.
It is essential to find out what the fees you pay will be covering before you hire a lawyer. It is also important to be aware that there may be additional fees or expenditures that become necessary as the case progresses.
You can consider more than one lawyer before you decide who to hire
You can have meetings, or consultations, with multiple lawyers before you find the right one for your claim. There are many considerations, such as budget, fee schedules, and personality types that may need to match so you feel comfortable working with your lawyer.
Be aware that you are allowed to fire your current lawyer
It is important for clients to know that they are in ultimate control of their cases and you can fire your lawyer if you need to. This may be necessary if they are not communicating or working on your case properly.
What Are the Various Types of Legal Fees?
Hiring an attorney may appear perplexing and stressful to those without legal experience. A prospective client should ask how much the attorney would charge for handling their case.
Attorneys usually bill their clients in a variety of ways, including:
- Hourly rates: An attorney charges hourly fees based on the hours worked on a case. The most prevalent sort of cost is an hourly fee. They are employed in both civil and criminal proceedings. The overall number of hours will vary substantially depending on the circumstances of the case.
- Flat rates: A flat fee is an upfront charge for the complete scope of legal representation. It is generally used when the services are more predictable, such as in a criminal case. The lawyer should specify which expenses and services the flat fee covers.
- Retainer fee: When an attorney charges an hourly rate, a retainer fee is an advance payment, equivalent to a down payment. The customer deposits payments into the lawyer’s trust account, and the lawyer deducts funds when services are rendered. Any unpaid retainer costs are usually refunded to the customer; and
- Statutory fees: Statutory fees are costs established by law or statute. Certain types of legal work necessitate judicial approval of the price.
What Factors Influence the Price of a Lawyer?
Although the services of an attorney are not usually free, there is a widespread misperception that most people cannot afford one. In actuality, legal practitioners bill depending on various factors, including the value of their services, their client’s demands, and many more.
It is challenging enough to decide how to select the best attorney. One important consideration for clients is price.
The cost of legal representation varies due to several reasons. A senior attorney in a large metropolis might be expected to charge more than a newly certified attorney in a rural location. In addition to these factors, others can create cost variations, such as:
- Type of case: The more complicated the legal situation, the higher the cost of an attorney’s services. This is also true in cases that appear normal or easy but have been exacerbated by aggravating factors or circumstances.
- The services you need to be rendered: If an attorney provides various services, the overall cost of representation will almost certainly increase. Some attorneys may offer to bundle their services at a fixed fee, lowering the overall cost of representation. and
- Fee structure: The total cost of representation will differ depending on whether the lawyer bills on a contingency fee + hourly basis, needs a fixed fee, is retained and advises on a need-by-need basis, or has been employed as in-house counsel.
What Are the Most Common Fee Structures Used by Lawyers in their Fields of the Law?
Attorneys generally charge different forms of fees in different areas of law.
- Injury or accident cases: These cases are usually billed on a contingency basis.
- Civil and family law cases: These cases are typically invoiced hourly, with the amount varying substantially depending on the case and the practitioner.
- Divorce cases: Divorces are more commonly handled on a fixed-cost basis. Clients should anticipate paying a retainer fee;
- Criminal cases These cases are typically paid in the form of a flat fee upfront; and
- Routine cases: Routine cases are typically paid as a flat fee. Examples of typical situations are writing a will, finishing a real estate transaction, having an uncontested divorce, or obtaining a power of attorney.
Should I Discuss Legal Fees Before Hiring a Lawyer?
Yes, before employing an attorney, a potential client should negotiate fees. Additional expenditures may occur during a case.
To avoid a dispute or conflict with the lawyer, an individual must grasp all the charges that will be incurred. If a person wants to keep costs under control, they might notify their attorney that costs above a specific amount must be approved in advance.
Where Should You Begin Your Search for the Right Lawyer?
If you have any legal issues, finding the right lawyer is important for the success of your cases. The amount of damages you receive can often depend on the experience and skill of the lawyer handling your case. However, looking for the right lawyer with excellent ratings can be time-consuming and challenging on your own.
If you or a loved one has any legal issues, questions, or worries, consulting with a lawyer in your area may be beneficial. LegalMatch is an attorney matching service that does much of the legwork for you by matching you with attorneys in your region who are licensed and eager to start working with you.
Former client feedback regarding our lawyers can be found on LegalMatch. We also pre-screen the attorneys joining their site to ensure they are in good standing with their respective bar associations. While doing the legwork is occasionally worthwhile, you can also let us do all the heavy lifting.
Use LegalMatch today to find the right lawyer for all your legal needs. You don’t have to keep fighting through your situation alone. Hire a lawyer and get the legal help you need.
