Frederick Jace
Do you need legal help? Are you in a difficult situation and not sure what to do next?
Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Seeking legal advice is necessary at times but it is also very stressful. There are more than a million lawyers in the United States.
You’re probably wondering how to find a good one. The first step is asking questions. Through the answers you receive, you’ll be able to determine if you want to hire them or not.
Not sure what to ask? Keep reading! We’ve listed six questions that will help you when you’re hiring an attorney.
1. What Is Your Experience?
The first thing you’ll want to ask about before hiring an attorney is their experience and expertise. This question will tell you if they are qualified to work on your case.
You’ll want to hire an attorney that has worked on cases similar to yours. A real estate lawyer isn’t going to be much help if you’re taking your ex to court over child custody.
Be sure to ask how many cases they worked on in the past year and what the outcomes were. A good lawyer won’t have an issue giving you data on their wins and losses in court.
2. Are My Goals Realistic?
Be sure to take the time to ask about your goals. You’re going to be spending a lot of money on legal services and you should know prior to starting the process if it will be money well spent.
If your goals are unrealistic, the best attorney will give you an alternative option and help you come up with a game plan that is more likely to be successful.
Unfortunately, there are attorneys who will drag out the process and pursue your goals even if they aren’t realistic in order to get more money from you. That’s why it’s so vital that you do your research and ask this question so you don’t get taken advantage of.
3. How and When Will We Communicate?
Communication is key when it comes to court cases. It will be very frustrating for you if you’re always having a difficult time getting a hold of your lawyer. You need someone who is going to communicate with you effectively.
Be sure to ask what their preferred method of communication is and how long it typically takes for them to respond. This will give you realistic expectations. It will also give you insight into when the best time is to contact them with questions or information.
If you work an odd schedule, such as a night shift or weekends, the communication factors may be difficult, but if you know the attorney’s schedule, you’ll be able to plan accordingly.
4. What Is the Cost?
While the cost isn’t everything, it is an important factor for you to consider. Of course, you want to win your case, but you may not have a lot of money for legal fees.
By asking this question, you’ll be able to properly budget for the next few weeks and months. You will also be able to determine if you can afford the legal services.
You can also ask about billing, when the charges will come through, and how they process payments.
Often times lawyers will have paralegals, and assistants work on the case as well. This information could affect the cost, so be sure to inquire about that. It may be beneficial for your wallet if there are others working on the case besides the attorney.
5. How Would You Approach My Case?
While you may not know much about lawsuits or court cases, this is still an important question to ask an attorney that you are potentially going to hire.
Discussing their strategy will provide you with some insight into how they are going to approach the case and what the potential outcomes may be.
You’ll also want to ask about the options that you have and what they recommend.
Asking about their strategy will help you determine if their approach aligns with your goals. Requesting a breakdown of their strategy will also show you how they will likely communicate with you throughout the process.
If they are unable and unwilling to explain the process to you, you should move on and click for a car accident lawyer here.
6. What Challenges Do You Predict?
Every court case has challenges. Some will be obvious from the beginning and others may not appear until later in the case. However, an attorney will be able to assess the risk and give you a realistic understanding of the difficulties that you may face.
This will also give you and the attorney time to create a plan. It’s better to be prepared for an issue than blindsided by it later on. Asking this question will give you the opportunity to assess the attorney’s ability to handle your case.
Hiring an Attorney
Hiring an attorney with a good reputation is your best option when you’re going to court, no matter what your case is. However, it takes time to find the right one for your needs.
There are many attorneys that offer consultations where you can ask your questions and get relevant information. Many people make the mistake of hiring the first lawyer they talk to without asking any questions.
Don’t make that mistake. Use this guide as a reference so you can make the best decision for your case. For more legal tips and advice, check out our blog. We have a lot more information that you’ll find helpful.
