It’s not impossible! There are lots of good attorneys out there who would be able to handle your case with the level of finesse it requires. But how do you find that person?
The receptionist is a font of knowledge when it comes to the skills, personalities, preferences and idiosyncrasies of each attorney in her office. She has a lot of information, and she could divulge some of it to you, but you’ll have to ask the right questions. Be prepared, though: she won’t bash any of the attorneys to you.
Many reputable attorneys have been published in some format or another. Some have written books, and others have shorter publications, like articles, blog posts, or white papers, that you could take a look at.
Now, this is an interesting question—and one that the receptionist might be a little surprised to hear.
Lots of law firms set up barriers between potential clients and their attorneys, making it feel like you’ve got to pay a ton of money before you can even have any face time at all with a lawyer. How are you supposed to make a decision about whom to hire if you haven’t even met the person yet?
Your lawyer cannot be effective representing you or other clients if he or she is taking every call that comes through to him or her everyday. As a result, if you need to speak with your attorney, you should be prepared to schedule an appointment for a phone call when you are both ready and available.
And, of course, the most common type of billing arrangement is hourly billing, in which an attorney bills for his own time and the time of his paralegals, at a certain rate per hour, meaning you pay for exactly the amount of work you get.
Contingency fees are common in cases like personal injury, medical malpractice, and other cases with very large potential judgments that make it financially reasonable for the attorney to take a portion of the recovery instead of charging hourly rates. And, of course, the most common type of billing arrangement is hourly billing, ...
The Value of Hiring a Lawyer. Legal services generally do not come cheap. The more complicated your legal problem, the more you will need legal advice, and the more it will cost for legal help. In some cases, it can be much more costly to try to represent yourself.
Especially if there is a sizeable estate, tax issues, or a complicated or extensive distribution plan, it is important to find a lawyer to be sure things are done right. You Are Adopting A Child. Adopting a child is an important matter, and an attorney will assure things are done right. A Contract Is Needed. It is essential that you understand the ...
In these cases, it may not be necessary to hire a lawyer.
However, you need to be sure you know what you are doing. Especially if there is a sizeable estate, tax issues, or a complicated or extensive distribution plan, it is important to find a lawyer to be sure things are done right. You Are Adopting A Child. Adopting a child is an important matter, and an attorney will assure things are done right.
If you don’t understand the terms, or how to prepare a contract, consult a lawyer. If you need a complex business organization (multiple entities), have complex tax matters, need to file for a patent, or become involved in litigation, hire a lawyer.
If you are charged with a crime, including domestic violence, tax fraud, or even some motor vehicle offenses (such as driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, or so many unpaid parking tickets that an arrest warrant has been issued), hire an attorney. You Could Lose A Lot of Money.
Instead, mediators help couples identify the issues that need to be resolved and create an agreement that comports with the law. Mediation is another alternative to handling a divorce on your own. Although there are a lot of self-help resources out there, divorce can be a daunting process. Mediation is confidential and even if you ...
Mediation involves a neutral attorney who helps couples reach an agreement in a divorce. The mediator doesn’t represent either spouse and can’t give legal advice. Instead, mediators help couples identify the issues that need to be resolved and create an agreement that comports with the law. Mediation is another alternative to handling ...
“In my experience, a good lawyer always finds every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge, and only relents on trying a case before the bench when all alternatives have been exhausted,” attorney, Jason Cruz says. “If a lawyer suggests they want to try the case in front of a judge, you should definitely speak with another lawyer before proceeding,”
“ Winning cases can be lost because of a client who lies or exaggerates just as easily as because of a lawyer who tells the client what the client wants to hear instead of what is true.” So when dealing with attorneys, don’t just look for honesty—be honest.
Lauren Cahn is a New York-based writer whose work has appeared regularly on Reader's Digest, The Huffington Post, and a variety of other publications since 2008. She covers life and style, popular culture, law, religion, health, fitness, yoga, entertaining and entertainment.
When hiring an attorney, a potential money pit is “expenses” outside of the lawyer’s billable hours. Expenses include everything—copying and faxing costs, hiring expert witnesses, and even traveling via private jet, points out attorney Justin C. Roberts. Some lawyers don’t just pass the charges along; instead, they charge an additional percentage fee. Whatever their method, you need to know it up front so there won’t be any surprises when the bill arrives.
There is a substantial likelihood this is a conflict of interest, however, there are exceptions that exist which may allow the firm, and more importantly, a different attorney at the firm with no knowledge of the specific information you gave, to represent your wife.
You would have to file a motion to disqualify the law firm. This issue is somewhat complex and you would be in over your head doing it without an attorney. You have to decide if it is worth it.