what to ask an attorney

Ask what is included in the hourly rate.

• Ask your attorney whether his or her time is billed differently for trial work versus preparation. ...
• Ask the attorney to identify the type of work that is typically handled by people in the office other than the attorney.
• Ask the attorney how much experience they have handling your case. ...
• Ask to provide your own fees upfront. ...

Full Answer

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Apr 09, 2015 · Ask follow-up questions, such as where and when any similar cases went to trial and their results, to ensure the attorney really knows the subject matter. Two: Do you practice in the courthouse where my case is (or will be)?

How do I Ask an attorney a question?

You can ask the attorney for the names of each of the medical providers who have liens and call them yourself to request they speed up the settlement process. If you believe your attorney did not settle when you asked him/her to do so, you can report them to the CA State Bar as doing this is a violation of the Bar's ethical rules.... Read More

What would you ask an attorney?

Make sure to ask how much of a lawyer’s focus is in estate planning, whether they keep up with the latest changes in estate and tax law, what types of estates have they handled, and whether they help with probate and estate administration.

What kind of lawyer do you really want to be?

May 19, 2021 · To find out what’s right for you, ask your attorney the following questions. What Property Can Go in a Living Trust? Most of your property can be placed into your living trust, but some items such as life insurance and certain retirement accounts are not eligible. The more property you place in the trust, the more beneficial the trust will be.

What are some good questions to ask a lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

What are five things you should ask your lawyer?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•Apr 13, 2018

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

What questions should I ask in an attorney interview?

Litigation-related questions to ask a lawyer in an interview include:How many court and jury trials have you done and what is your win percentage? ... What is the chance that I receive a favorable outcome? ... What are the risks if the case does fail? ... What are the odds of a settlement? ... How long should I expect this to take?

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.Oct 28, 2020

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

Typically the contingency rate free ranges from 33%-45% of the recovery. A contingency fee agreement is a payment arrangement that enables injured victims pursuing legal recourse to have legal representation, even if they do not have the financial ability to pay a lawyer out of pocket.Aug 3, 2021

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

How do I know if my lawyer is good?

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ... Google / Search Engines. ... Yelp. ... The Attorney's Own Website. ... Third-Party Rating Groups.Sep 18, 2014

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

The 5 Best Questions to Ask in An InterviewWhat do you expect from team members in this position? ... Will those expectations change over time? ... What is a typical day like at [company name]? ... Where do you see the company in five years? ... What are the next steps in the job process?

Why should we hire you example?

For starters, I have all the skills and experience listed in the job description, and I'm confident that I can make an immediate impact on your company. It's not just my background in leading successful projects for Fortune 500 companies, but also my passion for the industry that drives me to succeed.Jan 4, 2022

What are the most common interview questions?

Most Common Interview Questions:Tell me something about yourself.How did you hear about this position?Why do you want to work here?Why did you decide to apply for this position?What is your greatest strength?What are your strengths and weaknesses?What do you know about this company/organization?More items...

What are the two types of clients?

Before you wonder why this one’s asked when it sounds so much like the previous one, know this: there are two different types of clients…. Business and individual. If you’re just an individual looking for representation, you’re going to want a lawyer that works specifically with individuals and not businesses.

What is the point of consultation?

Consultations with a lawyer are an important stage of the process: you’re meeting up with an attorney for the first time on a case that could have a significant impact on you and your loved ones. You’ll want to make sure you’re dealing with a true professional. If not, you move on. That’s the point of the consultation.

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.

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 time do you call a lawyer?

Select the best time for you to receive a follow-up call from a lawyer after your question is answered. ( Required field) Morning (8:00AM to 12:00PM) Afternoon (12:00PM to 5:00PM) Evening (5:00PM to 9:00PM) Other. AM PM.

What to do if your child is raped?

If your child was raped, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a party or parties that both Perpetrated the assault, as well as who may have been negligent in allowing that assault to happen. You should discuss your Daughters case with counsel in your jurisdiction to investigate the possibility of bringing a civil action against the perpetrator and/or other culpable... Read More

Can you be stuck with a property that was passed to four beneficiaries?

It depends somewhat on how the property was bequeathed. If it was directly passed in undivided interests to four beneficiaries you may be stuck with it, absent agreement or a law suit for partition of the property (a court ordered sale). If on the other hand the property is simply in the "residue" of the estate and not specifically passed, then generally it will need to be... Read More

What happens if my wife doesn't have a will?

If she did not have a will, then the property will depending upon the circumstances pass to those heirs named in the Texas statutes on Intestacy. Hire a lawyer. If your wife had a will that left everything to you then you need to probate it. If she did not have a will, then the property will...

Is a business name the same as a trademark?

A business name and a trademark are not the same thing. However, your description says you can find him on the Internet using the name to promote his business. That use gives him priority in Trademark law. There will be other questions you find as you seek to open an e-commerce web site or App. In my experience, working with a lawyer as you begin will save you a... Read More

What is a trust after death?

A trust is designed to function during your life and after your death. A will provides for the distribution of all of your assets upon your death. It only provides instructions for what will happen to your assets after you die.

What is a living trust?

A living trust is a document that allows you to place assets into a trust during your lifetime. You continue to use the assets, but they are owned in the name of the trust. You name a trustee who is responsible for managing and protecting the assets in the trust. After your death, the assets in the trust are distributed to ...

Why are living trusts so popular?

Living trusts offer a variety of benefits, which is why they have become so popular. Living trusts allow your estate to avoid probate. By doing so you avoid the costs associated with having a will probated, but you also avoid the delay associated with probate. It can take months for a last will to be probated, but when you create a living trust, ...

Can you name yourself as trustee of a trust?

You can choose anyone or even a corporation as your trustee if you prefer. If you name yourself, you will need to name a successor trustee who can step up to manage the trust after your death.

What is a revocable trust?

A revocable trust (one that can be altered during your lifetime) does not avoid estate taxes that are applied by your state or the federal government. A special kind of living trust called an AB trust passes assets directly from one spouse to another and avoids estate tax. Living trusts do not pass through probate, ...

Do you need a power of attorney for a living trust?

Living trusts have all of your assets already placed in the ownership and management of a trust, so that should you become incapacitated, they are already being handled for you. Most attorneys do recommend you also draw up a power of attorney which will authorize someone else to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf ...

Should I have a will?

Should I Also Have a Will? Most attorneys agree that if you create a living trust, you should also have a will. This will, sometimes called a pour over will, is your insurance. In case there are any assets left out of your trust, the will directs that those assets be placed into the trust.

1. Is Estate Planning Your Field Of Specialisation?

You should work with a seasoned lawyer specialising in wills and estate planning. An estate lawyer can give you that added peace of mind that your will can be successfully accepted in probate courts when you’re no longer around.

2. What Should Be Included In The Will?

Once you sit down, talk through what you want to be done after your death, provide your lawyer with the right documents, and ask what else should be included in the will. This will help you figure out which provisions should and shouldn’t be part of your will.

3. Do You Also Execute The Will?

There are some will and estate planning attorneys who merely draft wills, while others can also execute them. Ask this question early on, because it’s best to work with the latter group. It’s more convenient to hire a lawyer who can also execute wills. That way, you’re guaranteed your will shall be executed exactly as you planned.

4. Who Will Receive My Assets And How Much Will They Get?

The question of how much each of your beneficiaries are going to receive will often be guided by your local laws. It’s best to ask your lawyer about this so that you have an absolute say on the distribution of your assets.

5. Do You Conduct Periodic Reviews?

Some lawyers conduct periodic reviews, while others don’t. A periodic review is done when the lawyer does a regular check for updates regarding any changes in your life situation.

Conclusion

If you have no idea how to start drafting your will, the advice above provides you with a great starting point. The most important takeaway is for you to remember to leave this task in an expert lawyer’s hands. In doing so, you’re assured that your will is accurate, legal, and will be accepted in the probate proceedings.

What can a divorce attorney do for you?

An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will provide you with the tools to communicate better with your spouse. These tools include how to communicate with your spouse, when to communicate with your spouse and how to diffuse conflict.

How to plan your life after a divorce?

If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.

What is spousal support?

Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.