Little Known Facts About Lona Webb.



At some point in life, just about everybody is going to need an attorney for something. It may be as mundane as signing finance documents to close on the purchase of a home or writing a simple will to issues as serious as accident liability or criminal defense. Whatever the situation, it is important to have wise and competent counsel. The problem is, most of us don't need the services of an attorney very often, may not know one, or know how to go about finding an attorney that's right for you. Like most things in life, the more you know and the more you are prepared the better. Selecting an attorney is no different. Let's start at the beginning and work through the process.

It may sound simple, but the starting point should be to define if and why you need an attorney. There are times when not having one, or putting off contacting one, can actually make things worse. Don't fall for ads claiming you can write your own will, handle your own divorce or set up your own Limited Liability Company (LLC). It may be possible to so with some of the packages that are offered, but what you don't get is important legal counsel to advise you of any legal vulnerabilities, how to be sure your rights are being protected or whether those documents will stand up if challenged in court. There's some truth to the old axiom, "A person who acts as his own attorney has a fool for a client."

Decide what type of attorney you need once you've defined why you need an attorney. Some attorneys are "general practitioners" while others are specialists in one particular area of law. It may be wise to seek out an attorney who has experience specializing in that area if you are going to be involved in a personal injury case or a divorce.

Finding the right attorney is going to take a bit of work on your part. You can always start by checking the Yellow Pages or web sites, but the most effective means is to ask people you know or professionals in your community for referrals. You can also check with the state bar for a list of attorneys in your area as well as consult a legal referral service. Whatever you do or however you begin your search, you must do your due diligence. The more you know, the more satisfying the results of your search.

When you've narrowed your list of potential attorneys, the next step is to begin contacting them. That contact may be made by phone, or by scheduling a meeting, and many attorneys don't charge for a "first consultation." Before scheduling such a meeting, be sure you understand whether there will be any fee involved. Through the process of choosing an attorney, remember that you are the consumer purchasing their services. Don't be shy about asking questions. It's always best to be a smart consumer.

During your search and consultation meetings, be prepared and specific about your expectations. If there are any documents that pertain to the situation you will be discussing, have them with you should they be needed for reference or verification of information. It is also a good time to talk about the attorney's fees. Depending on the case, fees may differ. Some examples are:

Hourly: Many attorneys base their fees on an hourly rate. This can vary significantly depending on the experience of the attorney and the size of the law firm.

Flat Fee: Some cases may be charged a flat fee. For example, a simple divorce, bankruptcy or basic will may be handled for a set amount with any additional charges added like mileage or court fees.

Retainer: There may be times when an attorney asks for a certain amount up front to work as an account to draw against as the case progresses. In other instances, like for a business, an attorney may be retained on a continuing basis for an agreed upon fee.

Contingency: In this case, the attorney receives a percentage of the judgment as the fee. This is most common in personal injury and liability cases. Once the court has set the judgment, the fee is paid. If the judgment does not go in your favor, there is no fee.

Be sure you agree and understand to the fee schedule before signing an agreement with an attorney.

The last step in choosing an attorney is interviewing, checking credentials and references. Think of it as hiring an employee when you hire an attorney. In many ways, that's what they are. They are working for you. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask about other cases they have had that are similar to yours and what was involved in the case. You need to know what the attorney's previous experience is. He or she may have been practicing law for twenty years, but they may not have extensive experience with cases like yours.

Ask for references. A reputable attorney will not have a problem with this as long as giving you such information does not breech any attorney/client privilege. It may not be out of order to ask what the attorney's success rate is. In some instances it may help give you an impression of their skill or complexity of the cases they handle. Ask what percent of the cases handled by their firm is normally devoted to cases like yours.

Be prepared to answer personal questions that may be relevant to your case such as information regarding your finances, marital status, lifestyle or criminal record. Should you be asked such questions, be truthful. Your attorney can not be effective if you don't tell them the truth, even if it's embarrassing or you think it may hurt your case.

When you need one, there can be a great deal involved in working with an attorney. It is important to find one you feel comfortable with and trust. Taking the steps discussed above is by no means a comprehensive list of everything you may need to do to select an attorney that is just right for you, but it will give you a good start.

Remember to be proactive, do your due diligence in your search and don't be afraid to compare and ask questions. Choosing the right attorney is a big decision, but one that you can make with confidence when you have done your research and come prepared.
Most people have absolutely no idea where to begin when it comes time to hire an attorney. Of course you want to find the most affordable legal representation possible but then again you also want to make sure you hire an attorney with experience and knowledge about your specific kind of case. Fortunately, when it comes to finding great legal representation there are a couple of methods which will help you find the best possible attorney for you at a rate you can afford.

How Do You Determine Which an Attorney is Right for You?

This is an easy one. Simply meet with the attorney. You are going to have to do this anyway if the attorney is willing to take on your case. Meeting not only helps the attorney learn important facts about your case, but it also gives you a chance to see whether or not you feel comfortable when talking with the attorney. You will have to communicate with this person on a pretty regular basis. Do you feel confident this is someone you can fully trust to handle your case? Does the attorney appear to show sincere interest in your case? You must be able to answer both of the questions squarely before deciding if the attorney is a good fit.

How Do I Actually Find a Good Attorney?

One of the very best ways to find a good attorney is by approaching an attorney you already know. Ask your friends and family for the names of some attorneys they know and trust if you do not already know any attorneys. Another way to find an attorney is by approaching your State Bar.

You may also be able to find out other valuable information about an attorney by finding what organizations an attorney is part of. Some organizations require members to meet certain standards of achievement in their practice. Approach your State bar and ask for a list of reputable organizations where you may be able to research an attorney's background and experience.

When Meeting With an Attorney, What Questions Should I Ask?

You should start off by asking the attorney what areas of law he or she specializes in. It might not be such a great idea to hire even a reputable bankruptcy lawyer who only minors in personal injury if your case happens to be a personal injury case.

Get a Feel for an Experience Level.

Ask the attorney whether or not he or she has handled many cases like yours before. Ask how many if so. Do not feel bad about asking these kinds of questions. You want to find an attorney you can trust? A good attorney always welcomes these kinds of questions. After all, trust is the key to forming an effective attorney-client relationship.

It's all about the TES Factor.

Just remember the TES factor; Trust, Experience and Sincerity when you are looking for the right attorney. Find an attorney who you feel you can completely trust and who has a proven track record of experience with you kind of case. Make sure that the attorney is sincere, meaning that he or she actually shows genuine concern about your case. Generally, if you are able to find an attorney with great TES, you are probably in pretty good hands. Well, let's not forget about pricing! Maybe you should look for good TESP. "P" meaning check here pricing, of course, but usually excellent attorneys are definitely worth a little more.

The problem is, most of us don't need the services of an attorney very often, may not know one, or know how to go about finding an attorney that's right for you. Once you've defined why you need an attorney, decide what type of attorney you need. Once you've defined why you need an attorney, decide what type of attorney you need. Meeting not only helps the attorney learn important facts about your case, but it also gives you a chance to see whether or not you feel comfortable when talking with the attorney. If you do not already know any attorneys, ask your friends and family for the names of some attorneys they know and trust.

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