Navigating the complicated and confusing world of lawyers and courts can be confusing, scary, and can cost you a lot of money in legal fees and lost settlements. So, educate yourself, get some advice, and don’t be afraid to talk to a few different law firms to see which one best suits your individual needs.
Get a referral from a friend or business partner
When trying to find a lawyer, relying on a trusted friend for a referral is a reliable way to narrow down your options. However, be careful. Sometimes people exaggerate the results obtained by their lawyer. Focus instead on other, less tangible factors, such as client contact, speed of case resolution, personal contact with attorney, etc.
Internet reference services
With the advent of the Internet, it would seem that your first course of action would be to simply open your browser and type “find lawyer” or “find lawyers” into the search engine and see what comes up. However, you need to be a bit more picky when using the Internet to find a lawyer. I advise potential clients to Google the firm to find out exactly what types of cases they handle, as well as news articles that may mention the firm or one of their attorneys.
Legal Fees: Finding a Lawyer You Can Afford
Generally, an attorney will expect payment in one of three ways. He will pay a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a contingency fee.
Flat rate. When you have a small, uncomplicated legal matter, look for lawyers who are willing to charge a flat fee for their services.
Contingency fee. If your case was taken on a contingency fee, you will not have to pay upfront. The law firm will recover the costs of any settlement or verdict obtained when you win the case.
Hourly rate. In this arrangement, the lawyer will charge you for each hour (or part of an hour) that he or she works on your case. Feel free to ask your lawyer what is included in the hourly rate. Costs and out-of-pocket expenses are billed in addition to the hourly rate.
Get the fee agreement in writing. Regardless of the type of fee agreement, you should not hesitate to request a detailed fee agreement in writing.
Learning how to find a lawyer is not difficult. So do some research before signing with a particular firm and help them honestly assess the merits of your case. This will minimize the loss of time, money, and effort for you and your family.