Hiring a lawyer may feel intimidating. Whether you’ve been in an accident or need to create a Will, most people have to hire a lawyer at some point. As you look for one, you’ll have questions.
We have compiled a list of your top questions about hiring a lawyer to make it as smooth as possible.
What type of lawyer do I need?
Why you are hiring a lawyer determines what type of lawyer you will need for your case. While some lawyers specialize in a specific case type, others are more versatile and cover a range of cases.
Here is a list of some of the different types of lawyers:
- Divorce Lawyers
- Criminal Lawyers
- Civil Rights Lawyers
- DUI and DWI Attorneys
- Estate Law Attorneys
- Legal Malpractice Lawyers
- Government Lawyers
- Personal Injury Lawyers
- Real Estate Lawyers
At Kelly & West, we help with many areas, including personal injury (if you’re in an accident or hurt on the job) and estate planning, as well as traffic, DWI, and more. Check out our list of services.
How much is a lawyer going to cost?
The cost to hire a lawyer varies by location, the service, and the law firm. Different lawyers use different billing structures; some may charge by the hour while others ask for a flat fee. Remember that cheaper is not always better when looking to hire a lawyer. For personal injury cases, many attorneys won’t charge anything unless you win. It’s best to research a few law firms and ask about pricing for the service you need.
What information do I need to provide a lawyer?
When dealing with any legal issue, the more information you can provide your attorney, the better. Your lawyer is on your side. Do not hesitate to ask questions. When you call to make a consultation appointment with a lawyer, the front desk staff should tell you what information you might need to provide during your meeting. But you can prepare by gathering any documentation you know will be relevant, such as an accident report, photos, or estate planning documents.
How often do I need to meet with my lawyer?
How often you meet depends. The first meeting will be longer due to the amount of information that needs to be collected, but future meetings will most likely be shorter. Sometimes, your situation might require only one meeting. However, if you would like to meet with your lawyer more often for peace of mind, that’s OK too!
How can I help the lawyer do their best work?
Lawyers want to do their best work for you. To do that, you need to give him or her as much information as possible. You can contribute to a lawyer doing their best work by letting them do their work and get everything done for you. Overall, being available to answer questions really helps your lawyer do his or her best for you.
We hope these questions and answers gave you a better idea of what you should be thinking about when hiring a lawyer. Remember, it is important to know as much information as you can upfront to determine the lawyer that will best suit your needs.
