One Lawyer Isn’t Best Suited To Do Everything
- Written by: Peter Harrison
- Category: Legal
- Published: January 22, 2019
From marriage contracts and divorces to troubles with an employer or starting a new business, many people find that there are many times in life when they will need a lawyer. But you need to know how to choose the right type of lawyer for whatever your situation may be. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about lawyers.
Try to avoid a lawyer that does not have a specific area of law they specialize in. There are lawyers all over that specialize in different fields of study. Hiring one of them will increase your chances of success since the person you hire will know exactly what they are doing once they step into the courtroom.
If you come across a lawyer who is actively looking for you, avoid hiring them. This is common practice among scammers and unscrupulous legal types; it is often seen when there is a large cash settlement up for grabs. Make sure that you do your own research, and if something looks too good to be true then it probably is.
Do not pick a lawyer because you saw their ad on television or on a billboard. Many big firms that can afford this type of advertising use lawyers that are fresh out of school for most of their cases, but charge you for the experience held by its highest lawyers.
Make sure you understand the costs associated with a particular lawyer ahead of time. Before you even begin the process of seeking someone out, you need to think about what you can afford. As you call different lawyers, discuss fees and the payment schedule. Do not be surprised later on!
Know just exactly how much opportunity cost you are giving up when choosing to go to court. Any case takes time, and just how much time depends a lot on the ability of your lawyer. If you choose a young lawyer to save money, you may find that the case takes many more weeks than if you had gone with someone more seasoned. Those weeks can be many hours of lost pay! Do your homework here and make sure the math works out for your choices.
If your general lawyer isn’t enough for your current case, ask him or her for another lawyer referral. Your lawyer’s knowledge of you, and of the law in general, gives him a unique insight to the kind of specialty lawyer that would work best for you. You are likely to get the best advice from a lawyer that is interested in helping you out.
Prepare to do research before filing your Worker’s Compensation claim. All states are different as to how much time a person has for filing and how much proof is needed. Worker’s Comp is different from all other claims and thus should be approached so. You have to follow different standards.
If you feel like your lawyer is not being up front with you about all of the fees involved, do not think twice about hiring someone else. Usually when lawyers are shifty about financial details it means that they have something to hide. Make it easier on yourself and ask this question right away.
Don’t hire the first lawyer that you meet. You should meet with a number of lawyers to get an idea of how they operate. This is the only way that you will find one you are comfortable with. Don’t ever settle for a lawyer that doesn’t make you feel comfortable or you’ll regret it.
