how to ask your attorney a simple question without getting billed

What questions should I ask a lawyer before hiring an attorney?

That’s the point of the consultation. You’re trying out the ‘fit’ of that lawyer to your case, and if it works, you move forward with it. In Order to Move Forward With Any Lawyer, First Ask These Ten Questions. Think of the consultation as an interview. You’re hiring the lawyer. Put the attorney to the test, starting with this ...

What questions should I ask my lawyer during a consultation?

Apr 09, 2015 · Ask a few questions about the lawyer's view of your case or situation. Five: What are the likely outcomes in my case? Lawyers are not fortune tellers. They should never guarantee a specific result. However, they should be able to give you a frank preliminary assessment of how your case is likely to play out. Six: What will the fees and expenses be?

How do I know if my lawyer has been billed correctly?

May 21, 2018 · Δ. Δ. 5 Questions to Ask Your Criminal Defense Attorney The Nieves Law Firm, APC. Often, when faced with criminal charges, a person can find him/herself confused, nervous and completely at a loss on how to handle their upcoming battle with the justice system. It is important that when picking an attorney, you ask the right questions.

How long does it take for a lawyer to Bill You?

Subscribe to the UpCounsel Blog. Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give an estimate of how long each phase of the project will take. Make sure that these estimates seem reasonable and fit with the timeline that you have in mind. 6.

Can I just ask a lawyer a question?

Ask a Lawyer allows you to get free answers from lawyers in your area for basic legal questions on a variety of topics, including family law, employment law, criminal law, and more.

How do you call a lawyer to ask questions?

Call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763)! We've found that people often have a fear regarding lawyers and what they charge for their services.

Is there a website to ask lawyers questions?

ABA Free Legal Answers is a website on which you can submit your questions about civil (non-criminal) legal issues and receive answers from pro bono lawyers in your state.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

How do you start a conversation with a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•Aug 4, 2015

How do you ask for a legal opinion?

The California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are state agencies authorized to request opinions. Requests should come from the chief justice or a presiding justice of the court or, as is usually the case, be submitted by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

How much is a lawyer?

You can pay anywhere from $50 to thousands per hour. Smaller towns and cities generally cost less while heavily populated, urban areas are most expensive. The more complicated the case and the more experienced the attorney, the more you'll pay. Lawyer fees can range from $255 to $520 per hour.

What does avvo stand for?

AVVO comes from the Italian word for lawyer: avvocato. And the information AVVO provides is just as simple. The higher the rating, the more favorable an attorney's background, according to AVVO's algorithm. AVVO is unbiased, meaning attorneys cannot pay to improve ratings or hide negative information.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

What is contingency fee?

In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a “contingency fee.”. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the process of a civil case?

In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitration— using a private service to adjudicate a dispute—is a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys are responsible for divulging any potential conflicts of interest, even if they are never directly asked a question about them. However, it’s usually not a bad idea to inquire about them yourself.

What is an attorney who can answer this question well?

An attorney who can answer this question well is an attorney who is attuned not only to the legal challenges at hand, but also to the way clients think about them. They’ve also likely worked with clients like you. They’ll be able to provide context upfront that answers your questions before you find yourself confused by a complex legal issue or legal language.

How many bills has Jerry Brown signed?

California Gov. Jerry Brown recently completed acting on the 1,217 bills that came across his desk this year. He has signed 1,016 of them into law, with the majority taking effect...

Do attorneys quote hourly fees?

While most attorneys will quote you an hourly rate or a fixed fee upfront, it’s important that you understand what this quote does and does not cover. For instance, will you also be responsible for reimbursing the attorney for expenses, such as transportation?

Can an attorney give an estimate of how long each phase of a project will take?

Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give an estimate of how long each phase of the project will take. Make sure that these estimates seem reasonable and fit with the timeline that you have in mind.

Is it difficult to get a complete picture of someone's personality?

No matter who you’re interviewing, it’s difficult to gain a complete picture of someone’s capabilities and personality over the course of an interview. This difficulty is compounded when you’re someone without a legal background who’s interviewing an attorney.

What does a lawyer charge for?

For example, a lawyer will typically charge for photocopying, mailing, and court reporters. If you want an itemized bill, then you should ask your lawyer for one.

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

Double check to make sure the amount you are charged is accurate. For example, the lawyer might charge $300 an hour. If they performed a half hour of work, then you should be charged $150.

Who is Clinton Sandvick?

Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 21,103 times.

Is arbitration a trial?

Arbitration is like a trial, though it is private. You and the attorney present your case to an arbitrator, who acts like a judge. Many bar associations provide arbitration for fee disputes. You might want to propose arbitration if mediation is unsuccessful.

What should I ask before hiring an attorney?

Before hiring an attorney, you should schedule a consultation. At the consultation, you can ask a variety of questions, including about fees. You should ask whether the lawyer will provide you with an itemized bill and whether it will increase your costs. Make sure the lawyer agrees to provide itemized bills.

What happens if you refuse to pay a lawyer?

This is a claim against your property, including any amount you win in your case. If you win a $100,000 lawsuit judgment, then the lawyer could assert their attorney’s lien and collect from that judgment.

How do divorce lawyers help?

Overstaffing the Case – Some divorce cases can be very complex and include many witnesses, various legal claims, and thousands of pages of documents and exhibits. In such complex cases, divorce lawyers may bring others with them to help them during depositions, mediation (structured negotiations), court hearings, or trial. However, many divorce cases can be handled by a single, prepared lawyer. Nevertheless, some lawyers will bring an entourage wherever they go for reasons such as: 1 The lawyer is trying to impress others by having a following of staff or other lawyers; 2 The lawyer is disorganized and doesn’t feel comfortable without support at hearings, during depositions, etc.; or 3 The lawyer is trying to maximize billing by overstaffing your case.

What is the end result of divorce?

The end result is that the client pays higher fees without any real justification.

Do lawyers have to record time?

In other words, lawyers must record their time immediately, if not soon after, the time is spent. When lawyers don’t stay on top of their timekeeping and, instead, rely on their memory to later record time, they may record too little or too much time.

How to dispute a bill?

State that you dispute the fees. Begin your letter with a clear statement that you dispute the fees you were charged. Identify the particular bill by its date, and list the specific items you dispute. If there is more than one item you want to dispute, you may want to format them in a bullet-point list.

What should be included in a fee agreement?

Your fee agreement should include details on how often you'll be billed, how costs will be computed, and the rates at which the attorney will bill for work completed.

How to write a letter to an attorney?

1. Use standard business format. Your word processing application typically will have a template you can use for writing business letters. Include your name and address as well as the attorney's name, firm name, and address where you're sending the letter.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.