People often consider legal services when they have had a brush with the law or have serious issues that need legal attention such as mergers, divorce, child custody, tax issues, or auto accidents. Whatever the case, settling on a lawyer is not easy, even after you know how to find a good attorney.
Sure, your family and friends, as well as search engines and forums, are great places to find an attorney. Is this, however, a guarantee that you will hire the right one?
Before hiring an attorney, you need to ask a few questions.
Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney
To make sure you are successful in hiring the right the attorney, you absolutely must ask at least the following . . .
Do They Specialize in The Legal Issue You Are Facing?
You want the best results when hiring an attorney.
For best results, you should settle on an attorney who has specialized in the legal matter you are facing. For example, if you are facing imminent deportation, an immigration lawyer specializing in deportation defense is your best bet.
How Many Issues Similar to Yours Have They Handled?
When it comes to individual cases (especially yours), every case is different when you consider all the tiny details. That’s why some are quite difficult and unpredictable while others are straightforward. Don’t be shy about asking your attorney if they have handled many cases similar to yours and possible outcomes.
Where Are They Based?
Found a reputable attorney? Great!
Where are they based? Three states away? Bad choice.
Look for an attorney who practices law in your state, with offices in your area, or easily accessible from your area. This factor doesn’t have anything to do with how good the attorney is, but how easy it will be for you to constantly keep contact and meet up with them.
What Is Their Track Record Of Success?
You don’t want to pay out the nose for an attorney who’s known for his failures in court!
Years in the legal game and experience are certainly important. But you’re likely better off working with an attorney who has only five years’ experience and an 80% success rate rather than one with 30 years’ experience and a 25% success rate.
You are working with an attorney to win a legal matter, so why not settle on a winner?
How Much Are They Charging?
When hiring an attorney, you must consider the associated costs.
There is no point hiring legal counsel you can’t afford. Know the market rate and find an attorney within your budget.
Some legal firms even offer a no-fee guarantee, assuring clients that they don’t have to pay legal fees unless the attorneys win their case. You could ask your attorney if they have this offer.
Do They Offer Free Consultation?
Not all attorneys offer a free consultation. If your attorney charges for consultation, find out how much it costs and decide if checking them out is worthwhile.
After you get your first consultation, take advantage of the conversation to assess aspects of the attorney that you can’t ask about, such as temperament. How did they treat you during the consultation, how do people behave around them? Are they easy to talk to? Is there any chemistry between you?
Competency Counts When Hiring a Lawyer
When hiring a n attorney, don’t be shy to ask your attorney any questions to determine how competent they are to handle your case.
You don’t want to discover later that you hired the wrong attorney and have to change midway through your case.
Forbes writes a great article on how to hire a lawyer. Check out their suggestions in combination with our recommended questions to be prepared for your next consultation.