Find a lawyer you can afford

Navigating the complicated and confusing world of lawyers and the courts can be confusing, scary, and can cost you a lot of money in legal fees and lost settlements. So, educate yourself, get some advice, and don’t be afraid to talk to a few different law firms to see which one best suits your individual needs.

Get a referral from a friend or business associate

When trying to find an attorney, relying on a trusted friend’s referral is a reliable way to narrow down your options. However, be careful. Sometimes people exaggerate the results achieved by their attorney. Focus instead on other, less tangible factors, such as contact with the client, speed of resolution of the case, personal contact with the attorney, etc.

Internet reference services

With the advent of the Internet, it would seem that your first course of action would be to simply open your browser and type “search attorney” or “search attorneys” into the search engine and see what comes up. However, you need to be a bit more picky when using the Internet to find a lawyer. I advise potential clients to Google the firm to find out exactly what types of cases they handle, as well as news articles that may mention the firm or one of its attorneys.

Legal Fees: Finding a Lawyer You Can Afford

Generally, an attorney will expect payment in one of three ways. He will pay a flat rate, an hourly rate, or a contingency fee.

Flat rate. When you have a small, uncomplicated legal matter, look for attorneys who are willing to charge a flat fee for their services.

Contingency fee. If your case was taken on a contingency fee, you will not have to pay up front. The law firm will recover the costs of any settlement or verdict obtained when it wins the case.

Hourly rate. In this arrangement, the attorney will charge you for each hour (or part of an hour) that he or she works on your case. Feel free to ask your attorney what is included in the hourly rate. Out-of-pocket costs and expenses are billed in addition to the hourly rate.

Get the fee agreement in writing. Regardless of the type of fee agreement, you should not hesitate to request a detailed fee agreement in writing.

Learning to find a lawyer is not difficult. Therefore, do some research before signing with a particular firm and help them honestly assess the merits of your case. This will minimize the loss of time, money and effort for you and your family.