Patricia
What’s your favorite way to communicate?
For a lot of people, it’s texting. That’s probably why over 18 billion texts are sent worldwide every day.
Don’t make the mistake of hiring a lawyer that’s hard to get ahold of. If you’re getting ready to hire an attorney, look for one that offers multiple ways to keep you in the loop. Text, phone, email, and even in-person visits should all be on the table.
What other mistakes will you need to watch out for so that you can hire the best attorney around? Read on to find out.
Assuming the Best Attorney Is the Biggest One
One of the first mistakes that people make when hiring a lawyer is assuming that bigger means better. They assume that if they go with a large law firm, they’re definitely going to get the most bang for their buck. However, going with the biggest law firm isn’t always going to be your best choice.
When hiring a personal injury lawyers, avoid mistakes such as neglecting to research their experience, overlooking communication style compatibility, and failing to discuss fees upfront to ensure a smooth legal process.
Certain cases are going to require special attention from your lawyer. If you want a more personal, one-on-one approach, you should look for a medium to smaller law firm like lambertonlaw.com.
If you only search for big law firms, you might feel like you’re lost in the crowd. Sure, you’ll have one of the best lawyers working for you, but it may be nearly impossible to get a hold of them.
Oftentimes larger law firms will have you work with the paralegals rather than dealing with the lawyer directly. This can be a great approach for certain cases, but not all.
Another downside to going with the largest law firm is that you’ll wind up paying the most money. Not only are local lawyers like Connolly Suthers Townsville more affordable but they are also more specialised and experienced as laws change from state to state and even council to council. Steer clear of the large city lawyers and instead reach out to friends and family members for referrals.
Overlooking Case Litigation and Trial Possibilities
Another mistake clients make forgetting to ask their lawyer whether or not they’ll take the case to trial. A lot of times, civil cases don’t require any type of trial at all.
For instance, if you’re in a personal injury case and the insurance company isn’t willing to cooperate, you might need to take things to court. The only problem is that not every lawyer is willing to go to court. If you’re not careful, you could wind up with the case that needs to go to court and an attorney who refuses to take it there!
What’s the solution? Not winding up in this position in the first place.
To avoid a potential fiasco, find out up front whether or not your lawyer is willing to go to trial. Sometimes lawyers aren’t willing to go to trial, even if your case needs it.
Lawyers understand that trials can be expensive and lengthy, and it’s not always in their best interest to participate in them. During your initial consultation, ask your lawyer what the likelihood is that your case will go to trial. Then find out whether or not they’re willing to represent you if a child is necessary.
Forgetting to Shop Around
Another mistake people run into is forgetting to shop around. You should never hire the first lawyer you meet. Instead, you should be setting up free consultations with a handful of lawyers.
Take advantage of these consultations to get to know the lawyer, while also asking important legal questions. We suggest having a list of questions pertaining to your case saved on your phone. That way, you’ll be able to easily access the questions and update them as you get answers.
Consultations aren’t just about getting free legal advice though. They’re also an opportunity for you to determine the demeanor of the lawyer you interview.
If they’re not personable and easy to talk to, take your business elsewhere. You should never feel rushed or unheard when you’re talking to your lawyer.
Not Reading the Fine Print
Did you know that a lot of attorneys are willing to work on a contingency fee basis? A contingency plan means that the lawyer isn’t going to make payment upfront. Instead, the lawyer will get a percentage of your settlement award when you win the case.
Every lawyer will operate differently with their contingency fee structures. Sometimes you’ll have to pay a little bit upfront to reserve the lawyer’s services. In other situations, you’ll have to pay a little bit even if you lose the case to help cover legal costs such as filing your case.
Get a detailed plan written out before agreeing to any type of contingency plan. The last thing you want to do is jump into a deal with the lawyer just because it seems affordable.
For instance, let’s say that you’re dealing with a tight budget. You find an attorney who’s willing to work with you on a contingency basis, and they don’t require any money upfront.
You might think that this lawyer is instantly someone you should jump into business with. But hold off just a minute. You’ll first need to see what percentage of your settlement award the lawyer will claim.
How much is the contingency fee? What’s going to happen if the lawyer loses your case? Get specific about your payment plan before hiring a lawyer.
Hiring a Lawyer You Feel Good About
You’re one step closer to hiring a lawyer you can trust! Remember, you don’t have to go to the most prominent law firm to set up a consultation.
Instead, reach out to your friends and family members to get referrals. Then do a little online searching. Once you set up your consultation, prepare yourself with the list of questions.
Don’t be afraid to have a lot of questions; that’s what consultations are all about. The best lawyer will be happy to answer them while also making you feel great. For more ways to feel great, read another blog post.
