An estate lawyer is trained in matters related to passing on your assets after you die, and planning for situations where you can no longer care for yourself. They are experts in wills, trusts, and your local probate process. Some estate lawyers may also have specialties, like planning the succession of a business.
Derek is a personal finance editor at Policygenius in New York City, and an expert in taxes. He has been writing about estate planning, investing, and other personal finance topics since 2017. He especially loves using data to tell a story. His work has been covered by Yahoo Finance, MSN, Business Insider, and CNBC.
Before your first meeting with a lawyer, find out if you’ll have to pay for the lawyer’s time. Often a first consultation is free. Be ready to give a short summary of your legal situation and the solution you want. You’ll want to ask: 1 About their experience with your kind of case 2 How they would get the solution you want 3 About the chances of getting the solution you want, and other possible outcomes 4 Whether this lawyer, other lawyers, or paralegals in the law firm would do most of the work on the case 5 About the fees for each member of the law firm who would work on your case 6 How long it might take to resolve your legal issue or case
Finding the Right Kind of Lawyer 1 Ask family, friends, or co-workers for recommendations. 2 Check with your state and local bar associations. 3 Consult lawyer referral services offered by a union or community group you belong to.
Many lawyers specialize in certain areas of law, such as family, estate, personal injury, contracts, or civil rights. It’s important to find a lawyer who has relevant experience with the legal area that you need. Take time to search for the right lawyer.
Many lawyers charge a flat fee for uncomplicated services like drafting incorporation papers, handling an uncontested divorce, or filing a simple bankruptcy. Before you decide to pay for a service with a flat or fixed fee, find out exactly what services the fee does and doesn’t cover.
If you hire a lawyer on a contingency, it means their fees will be a set percentage of the total money you get if you win your case, plus reimbursement for case-related expenses like depositions, expert witnesses, and filing fees.
When life gets legal, whether it's a DUI charge or a positive event such as adoption, it often makes sense to get a lawyer. But hiring a lawyer is not necessary ...
A family law attorney may handle primarily divorce cases, or even specialize in custody disputes. Lawyers also differ in the way their respective firms are structured, ranging in size from single-attorney practices to large, multi-state (or even multinational) firms with thousands of attorneys on staff.
Hiring an Attorney can further establish your business as they serve to provide legal guidance and support. By having a certified legal professional reviewing and revising important documents, you can head off potential problems.
A great Attorney candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:
A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified Attorney candidates. An Attorney job description includes a compelling summary of the role, detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.
Strong candidates for Attorney positions will be confident answering questions regarding:
Some common situations when you may want to hire an attorney include: 1 Starting a business 2 Protecting an invention or trademark 3 Considering divorce 4 Evicting a tenant 5 Getting arrested or being served with a court notice 6 Being involved in an accident that caused harm 7 Experiencing personal property damage 8 Buying or selling a business 9 Writing a will or estate planning 10 Facing citizenship or immigration issues
Jonathan Fritz, who runs, NoExam, a life insurance brokerage that is 100% digital, with all employees working remotely, discovered about a year ago that one of his sales agents was soliciting the firm's customers on behalf of another company.
An employment attorney can help employers and employees work together to reach a resolution in the event of a problem, from wages and workplace safety to discrimination and wrongful termination. But when is it appropriate to reach out?
Hiring a lawyer can mitigate legal complications and save you time and money. An accomplished lawyer will be able to advocate for your company or clients. From ensuring your business is legally compliant to helping with taxes, negotiating leases and contracts, and securing patents, lawyers are a valuable, risk mitigating asset.
A capable lawyer will fight for your needs and keep your business safe, utilizing advanced skills in research, organization, and communication. To find a lawyer you can trust to represent your business, look for qualifications and work experience that demonstrate top legal skills.
A thoughtful description is important to finding qualified lawyer candidates. A lawyer job description should include a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.
Exceptional lawyers will be confident answering questions about their past work experience or legal specialization that suits your company’s needs. Hire the right lawyer for your company by asking meaningful interview questions that reveal a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and unique personality traits that make them a great fit for the role.
However, if you’ve already had a claim denied, an attorney can help. An experienced lawyer can see the claim from all sides and know if there is any chance of getting the insurance company to reverse its position.
Tina Willis, a personal injury lawyer in Orlando, Florida, says determining the value of an attorney is a simple numbers game. Often, insurance companies agree to settle a claim without being specific about the settlement amount. And that is—often literally—the million-dollar question.
Employment lawyers handle employment-related legal issues, including: Wrongful termination; Workplace discrimination; Sexual harassment; Contract violations;
Whistleblower protection. Many lawyers represent employees who are not part of a union and are basically powerless in situations where employers have treated them in ways that violate applicable law and put employees at a disadvantage.
Many lawyers represent employees who are not part of a union and are basically powerless in situations where employers have treated them in ways that violate applicable law and put employees at a disadvantage.
An employment lawyer can help review or prepare contracts and agreements that you use with your employees such as employment contracts, severance contracts, or releases. Of course workplaces are subject to many different types of regulation by a number of different local, state and federal agencies, for example, OSHA.