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Home :: Attorney Information
Attorney Information
Do you need an Attorney?
When thinking about whether you need a lawyer,
consider this:
What will legal help cost?
What may happen if the issue or issues are ignored?
Do you know enough about the law in this area; can you learn more about
it?
Do I need a lawyer for advice or for court action?
Am I being accused of a crime (criminal law), am I being sued (civil
law) or do I need to sue someone?
How Do You Pick A Lawyer?
If you have decided to see an attorney how do you go about picking one?
Remember, as with other professionals, attorneys either specialize in a
particular area of the law, or may be general practitioners. When looking
for an attorney consider the lawyer's expertise in the problem area you need
help in. Look at prior experience, reputation, and past successes. It is ok
to ask.
How quickly can the attorney deal with your problem? And what is it going to
cost? Your personal preferences regarding a lawyer's personality, gender,
age, etc., may be a factor. Picking a lawyer is a personal decision you must
make, and you should be comfortable with your choice. Ask questions and talk
with more than one attorney, get a second opinions.
In the end it is important
to select someone you can trust to do the best job possible for you.
What will it Cost?
Legal help isn't cheap, but it can be much more expensive if you try and go
it alone. With the exception of free and reduced fee services (legal aid,
military legal assistance, pro bono programs, public defenders), which most
us don't qualify for, you can expect to pay for your legal help. The cost can
vary depending upon the type and complexity of the problem, your location,
and the quality of the attorney. Remember, attorneys must earn a living just
as you do. There is office overhead, staff to pay, and many other fixed
costs. When you hire a lawyer you are paying for the use of these resources.
You should discuss fee arrangements when you first visit an attorney. Price
is a factor in making you decision but not the only one. Fees listed in
advertisements ("no fault divorce only $199") are generally only a starting
point, and the lowest fee rarely applies in most cases. Advertised fees may
not include court costs and other expenses.
Common Attorney fee arrangements include:
1. Fixed or Flat Fee: a set cost for a specific service; this is common for
routine services such as simple will drafting, real estate transactions,
some criminal law, and other routine legal actions.
2. Hourly Rate: the cost is based on the time spent working on your legal
issue. These fees can range from a relatively small amount to over $250 per
hour. You most likely will be required to pay a certain amount before work
begins; this is known as a retainer and is usually based on an estimate of
the expected cost of the case.
3. Contingent Fee: fee based on a percentage of the amount the attorney
recovers for you. These are most common in personal injury claims where one
is trying to recover money damages from another party. If you lose and there
is no recovery you usually pay no fee. However, you may still be responsible
for certain costs and expenses that the lawyer may have incurred (court
costs, filing fees, copies, telephone charges, and more).
You and your lawyer are free to negotiate any fee arrangement permitted by
state law. You need to understand what your costs may be up front. While it
may be impossible to determine the exact final cost in advance, you should
get a written estimate that explains what and how you will be charged. In
fact a written fee agreement is required in many states.
Attorney Referral
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