Outside of television shows or movies, you may have no knowledge of what lawyers are or what they do. While fictional depictions can be helpful, they are not always accurate. The following are a few commonly asked questions about lawyers.
Almost everything we do—from making a purchase, to driving a car, to interacting with others—is affected by the law in some way. But clearly we don’t need a lawyer for all of these everyday interactions. When do you need a lawyer?
You’ve thought about it carefully and you’ve decided that you need to contact a lawyer. The big problem is—how to find one? This section will give you some tips on what to look for when choosing a lawyer, and lead you through some questions you can ask a lawyer when you first meet. If you do your homework, you can hire the lawyer who has the experience and expertise to help you with your problem.
Choosing a lawyer can seem daunting if you have never done so before. The following are few helpful questions to guide your interactions in a lawyer search.
Lawyers can be expensive. We all know that. But you can take a few steps to ensure that you avoid any surprises when the bill arrives in the mail. Talk to your lawyer about fees and expenses, and make sure that you understand all the information on fees and costs that your lawyer gives you. It’s best to ask for it in writing before legal work starts.
When you agree to hire a lawyer and that lawyer agrees to legally represent you, a two-way relationship begins in which you both have the same goal—to reach a satisfactory resolution to a legal matter. To this end, each of you must act responsibly toward the other. In a lawyer-client relationship, acting responsibly involves duties on both sides—and often involves some hard work.
