To ensure that we are not on the wrong side of the law or facing its full wrath, hiring the service of a lawyer is one of the important steps to take. But before you do this, you have to understand how to go about the recruitment.
This piece sheds a light on things you are to know before hiring a lawyer.
When to Call on a Lawyer?
It is strongly suggested that you hire a lawyer even before you need one. This is so that you can pull a call through and have him/her jump to your defense right away.
However, many people are unable to do this for financial reasons. If this is the case, you should call on a lawyer the moment you have issues with the law.
This can be about a divorce case, sorting out your estate management before your demise, when pulled over for a traffic offense, and many more.
Which Lawyer to Choose?
There are many kinds of lawyers considering that the law is vast. On that note, you are to call upon a lawyer that is experienced and has expertise in your area of concern.
For instance, you should call on a legal expert in family law if you have a divorce case. If you have been violated by the government, a fellow citizen, or a corporation, you should call a tort lawyer. The idea is to call a legal expert that is experienced in your case.
Furthermore, make do with a lawyer that operates locally. This is because of state licensing and the peculiarities of the law wherever you are.
Legal Advice at a Lower Cost
Although there are lawyers that charge for consultation, you may want to take advantage of those that are generous enough to allow a free initial consultation.
The essence is so that you get to hear the view of the lawyer on your case and decide if dealing with him/her is a good idea.
How does a Legal Consultation Take Place?
Legal consultation is an important part of the legal process. This is the platform where the client and the lawyer get to know each other and understand what lies ahead.
For instance, it is at this point that you share your case with the lawyer under attorney-client privilege. This means that the legal expert cannot use information shared during this meeting to your disadvantage.
Also, the chances of winning, the financial implication of hiring the lawyer, and several other things are discussed during the legal consultation.
What Fees can I be charged?
Generally, there are two ways legal practitioners charge clients: billable hours and settlement.
Billable hours are fixed and every moment spent dealing with your case has to be paid for. On the other hand, settlements are very common in tort cases. This means that the lawyer will take a certain percentage of the settlement if the case is won. This can be somewhere around 10% to 45%.
What is the lawyer’s responsibility?
A lawyer’s responsibility depends on which type you chose and the circumstances at hand. However, in general he or she is to defend you in and outside the courtroom.
To do this, the lawyer must give you an objective opinion of the case but respect your decision. For instance, he can advise you to take a plea bargain if the case isn’t in your favor.
