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Hiring An Attorney
Choosing the right attorney can be crucial to
the outcome of your case. There are certain things
you should know before hand in order to help you
with the process of choosing an attorney that
is right for you. Not only will this save you
time (and maybe money) when meeting with your
lawyer for the first time, but will also help
you to become more knowledgeable about the questions
you should ask and the critical process of hiring
an attorney.
Getting several referrals to experienced plaintiffs'
lawyers is recommended. An Attorney For You allows
you to accomplish such a task in one place. When
you submit your case description you will be contacted
by one or more attorneys specializing in your
practice area and who are located near you. Once
you have established contact it’s a good
idea to meet with these attorneys to get a feel
for whom you would feel most comfortable working
with. You must also be prepared for rejection.
The lawyer-client relationship is a two way street,
and many lawyers do not take cases if they fall
below a certain potential recovery amount, or
if the claim is not crystal clear.
Before meeting with a lawyer, write up notes
pertaining to your case and gather all of the
related documents to take with you. Bring copies
of all your documents and evidence to your first
meeting with an attorney. This can include police
reports, medical records, bills, and any other
documents related to your case. Being able to
present your legal problem in a clear and organized
fashion will allow you to determine if the attorney
would be ideal for handling your case.
Once you explain to your attorney the grounds
for your case and any relevant information pertaining
to your case it will be your turn to ask questions.
Below is a list of basic questions that will help
you determine if the attorney is right for you
and your case.
- How long has the lawyer been in practice?
- How much experience does the lawyer have
in your type of case?
- How does the lawyer believe the case should
be handled?
- What is the lawyer’s time frame for
its completion?
- How will you be expected to participate in
your case?
- How will you be kept informed about the status
of your case?
- Will the lawyer provide a fee agreement that
details fees, expenses, billing and payment?
Once you have met with the lawyer, explained
your case and had your questions answered, there
are some questions you should ask yourself.
- Will I feel comfortable working closely with
this person?
- Do I feel confident in the lawyer’s
experience and skill to handle my case?
- Do I understand the lawyer's explanation of
what my case involves?
- Do I understand the proposed fee agreement?
If you feel comfortable with the lawyer and confident
that his/her experience is adequate for your case
you have probably found a good match. Asking and
answering the above questions will go a long way
in determining if this is the right attorney for
you.
Attorney Fees
Before you sign any contract with an attorney
it is very important to understand how they expect
to be paid. Be aware that an attorney cannot always
estimate exactly how much their services will
cost you in the end. It can be difficult to know
how much work is going to be involved in a case,
or how long the lawsuit will go on. However, they
can and should be able to give you an idea of
the cost range and you can always request it be
kept to a minimum. If you have any questions about
your fee arrangement, or any trepidation about
the cost, be sure to discuss this thoroughly with
your attorney before signing a contract.
There are several types of fee arrangements
that attorneys use. The type of fee an attorney
charges will depend on the type of case you have
and your ability to pay the attorney. The most
common forms of billing include contingent fees,
flat fees, hourly rates, and retainer fees.
Contingent Fees
A contingent fee is a percentage of the total
judgment or settlement you receive should you
win your case. If you cannot pay your attorney
up front, or if the settlement or judgment you
expect to receive is large, an attorney may agree
to work for this type of fee. If the attorney
fails to get you a judgment or settlement, you
generally do not owe the attorney any money.
Flat Fee
A flat fee is an amount that the attorney and
client agree upon before the attorney begins work
on your case. The fee is based upon the amount
of work the attorney expects to put into your
case and is paid up front.
Hourly Fee
Attorneys may also charge you by the hour for
the time they put into your case. These rates
vary from attorney to attorney and depend upon
the type of case being litigated. Usually a lawyer
will be able to estimate the number of hours s/he
will be spending on your case and can give you
an estimate of what the total fee for your case
will be.
Retainer Fee
A retainer fee is akin to a down payment on an
attorney that guarantees s/he will be available
to work on your case. This means that the lawyer
may have to turn down other cases in order to
be available for your case, and therefore may
require more money from you. In this arrangement
you may be billed separately for work on your
case, or these fees may come out of the retainer
itself. Since the arrangement varies, be sure
to have your attorney explain it in detail.
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