When you’re looking for a lawyer to help with a legal problem, it can be difficult to decide which one to hire. You need to consider several factors, including cost, experience, and reputation. But the most important factor is which lawyer will give you a better chance of winning your case.
- Make sure you understand the fee arrangement, or how the lawyer will be paid.There are four common ways to pay a lawyer: hourly, on a contingency basis, flat fee, or paying a retainer.
- If you’re not certain about how to pay your attorney, talk with someone at theoffice who can answer your questions. They may be able to tell you what type of fees you can expect, and whether there are any special costs for clients with low incomes or other financial challenges.
- Get a written fee agreement in writing from the lawyer. This will spell out howmuch the lawyer charges, what she will do for you, and how often you’ll be billed.
Review your bill regularly.
Most lawyers send bills monthly, but they can also be sent on a schedule that you and the lawyer agree to. If you receive a bill that you don’t understand or feel like you were overcharged, ask for an itemized bill that explains each charge and gives you a breakdown of how the lawyer spent your money.
- If you’re not comfortable representing yourself, hire a pro se lawyer.
Many attorneys offer “limited legal services” for people who represent themselves, and you can find these lawyers on the Internet or through your state bar association. These lawyers will give you legal advice and review or prepare documents for you without representing you in court. They may also take on cases that are too complex for you to handle, but not too simple to afford. Recommended this site car accident lawyers .
- If you’re not sure how to pay your attorney, ask the lawyer if they have a paymentplan. Some lawyers will accept a small deposit, called a retainer, before they begin work on your case and then bill you for their services on a regular basis. They will then place the money in a trust account and use it to pay expenses and fees owed on your behalf.
- The legal fees a lawyer can charge depend on the law firm’s experience andreputation.
A good lawyer will have a solid track record of helping people with the same types of problems as you, and they will be able to explain the fees they charge in a way that makes sense to you. For example, if you have a complicated case with a lot of backend work, the lawyer may charge more than if you had a straightforward family law issue.
- How long will it take to complete the case?
You’ll want to ask your lawyer how long it will take them to handle the legal matter, and what the average time is for a case like yours. A lawyer with more experience and a higher hourly rate will usually complete your case faster than a beginner.
