Everyone needs legal help and professional attorneys sometime in their life. People just can't manage all the legal issues and situations on their own as it requires special skills and extensive subject knowledge. However, many clients have found it very frustrating when they go out to find a lawyer and hire the specialist for their requirements. Usually, they end up paying huge sum of money for various services that they don't need or expected for. Hiring an attorney can be one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. It is very important that you make the correct choice when it comes to legal advice and legal issues
Here are 5 tips for hiring a personal lawyer that will definitely help you in making the right choice in your legal matters:
1.How do they bill for their services: Most of the clients are afraid of talking about the billing method adopted by the lawyer for the services they offer to them. As you are most probably seeking legal advice for monetary issues therefore this should be one of the very first questions that you ask you lawyer. It is better to clear everything in the beginning rather than be surprised later. The most suitable and effective engagement model would be a flat fee or a project based payment. Try to avoid lawyers who charge on an hourly basis unless it is required by the court in special cases. Further, ask and clarify that the lawyer would not send any unexpected bills to you for phone calls or anything else.
Here are 5 tips for hiring a personal lawyer that will definitely help you in making the right choice in your legal matters:
1.How do they bill for their services: Most of the clients are afraid of talking about the billing method adopted by the lawyer for the services they offer to them. As you are most probably seeking legal advice for monetary issues therefore this should be one of the very first questions that you ask you lawyer. It is better to clear everything in the beginning rather than be surprised later. The most suitable and effective engagement model would be a flat fee or a project based payment. Try to avoid lawyers who charge on an hourly basis unless it is required by the court in special cases. Further, ask and clarify that the lawyer would not send any unexpected bills to you for phone calls or anything else.
2.How effective is their response system: Lawyers can be very nonresponsive and it has been a problem for many clients. Usually, the lack of administrative support is the main reason behind such services. You should ask your lawyer how he or she plans to respond to your legal needs and how soon and effectively can they offer legal advice to you. Many a times, lawyers think that they can take care of all the office work on their own and start practicing as a one man team who takes care of administrative, managerial as well as core activities. Make sure that you do not suffer the same way like many have in the past when you find a lawyer and need legal advice.
3.Proactive communication policy: The general thinking in the legal industry is that clients will communicate with the lawyer as and when anything comes up. However, this is just pure laziness on part of lawyers who do not really take their clients seriously. It would be better if you find a lawyer who proactively communicates with their clients at least every quarterly via mail and every month through email. It would be much better if the lawyer can stay in touch with you on a weekly basis.
4.In which situations can you seek legal help from the lawyer: Today, lawyers need to have specialization in one or more legal practice areas in order to survive in the tough competition. You should not be associated with a lawyer who presents himself as an expert of whatever is thrown in his way. You definitely want a lawyer who has broad enough expertise to offer you legal advice on various legal and financial issues that may come up in your life.
5.In case the lawyer retires or dies: This may sound a little weird and uncomfortable at first but this is one of the most important questions you should ask the lawyer before you hire him or her. However, a true professional lawyer will definitely have a clear plan in effect that ensures that the clients and their requirements are taken care of, no matter what happens to the lawyer.
These 5 tips will help you in your quest to find a lawyer who can be really useful for you and provide you most effective legal advice and legal help. Look out for the answers that the lawyers give you for the above questions and try to verify them first before you go into any contract with any lawyer.