What To Ask A Lawyer Before Hiring Them? – Ten Questions

Do you need a lawyer for legal advice in your business? Do you have a criminal or civil case to deal with?

When all matters are legal, hiring a lawyer is imperative. However, the horror stories associated with hiring inexperienced or inferior lawyers makes it intimidating for clients. What’s more, they don’t hire lawyers everyday. Knowing the tricks of the trade is almost impossible. In a bid to avoid making mistakes for critical cases, it is recommended to ask the lawyer a few questions before hiring their services. 

What To Ask The Lawyer?

All lawyers are not equal. While some are highly skilled, others are not. The term attorney beside the name is not a guarantee of the best services. So, to avoid instances like poor handling of the case or backing out of the case at a critical juncture, it is advisable to ask a few questions before signing on the dotted line. 

Here’s the list of questions; the answers of which will help in making the right decision. 

• How many years have they been in business:  Simply studying law in college does not make a good lawyer. Practicing multiple cases for a few years is the key to perfection. So, it is important to ask the lawyer about the years of experience they have. 
• What kind of cases have they handled: Each case is handled differently. So, before hiring, it is better to understand whether the lawyer has handled cases similar to the client’s. For instance: If it is a divorce case, checking the number of divorce cases handled helps in understanding the skills of the lawyer. Moreover, all lawyers do not handle all kinds of cases. It is advisable to find the one who specializes in your kind of case. 
• What’s your reputation with the State Bar Association: Lawyers are regulated by the State Bar Association. They maintain a record of their reputation, ethics and actions. So, checking the lawyer’s record on the association’s website gives an insight into the goodwill enjoyed by the lawyer, so clients can be saved from being misled.  
• What the fee is and how it is billed: Some attorneys charge a one time amount for dealing with the entire case. Well, in such case also, it is advisable to clarify what this fee includes and the number of trials or period it will be valid for. Other lawyers follow other criteria like no-win-no-fee or on an hourly basis. In fact, some attorneys even charge consultation fee for the first visit. Experts advice clients to clarify these details prior to consultation in a bid to avoid nasty surprises 
• Who will be handling the case: In legal firms, a team of lawyers including senior, junior attorneys and paralegals together handle cases. A good idea is to inquire about who will handle the case. It enables the client to keep in touch with the same for updates and other queries. 
• How ill the attorney communicate: Some attorneys give their private mobile number for personal communication, updates etc. Others provide communication details of other staff in the firm. It is better to clarify the way of communication in a bid to keep in touch for updates about the progress of the case, queries and others. Not maintaining communication often leads to problems. 
• What is the process to be followed: Whether it is a divorce case, property settlement or others, it is advisable to inquire about the process in which the case will move forward and the expected results. In this way, clients know exactly what the attorney is doing towards their case.
• Are there other ways of settlement: All cases do not require to go for trials. Legal matters can also be settled out of court. A good idea is to check with the attorney if the case can be solved without going for trial in court. 
• Do you know the prosecutor: Experienced attorneys would have represented more than one client in legal matters. They would have also stood against many prosecutors. Knowing the prosecutor’s strengths and weaknesses enables them to handle the case better. A good idea is to inquire whether they know the prosecutor or not.
• What are the chances of winning the case: Legal procedures are time consuming and expensive. It is advisable to discuss the chances of winning the case with the attorney in question. If the chances are low, then going for trial is not advisable.

Wrap Up

It is not uncommon for people to require the services of attorneys for various reasons, Well, people often complain about the attorney’s services. It is surprising, but true that most of the complaints are foreseeable and avoidable. Asking the aforementioned questions prior to hiring is helpful. 

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