If you're in over your head, it might be time to call a lawyer. Some legal situations are expensive or overly complicated, and that's when you need a legal professional to help. Lawyers do much more than just offer legal advice; they can guide you through the entire process, and use their legal know-how to get you the settlement you deserve.
Finding a good lawyer is like getting a good contractor or mechanic - Once you've found the right one, you've got to hang onto them. They'll come in handy in lots of situations.
Finding a good lawyer is not only tricky, it's also something you have to be very careful with. Your chosen legal professional should be competent, experienced and trustworthy.
Getting A Lead On A Good Lawyer
The best place to start is by asking friends, relatives and coworkers. If they've got somebody they've been using for many years, that means that they're reliable and good at what they do. Going with a friend's referral means you're getting somebody you can really trust.
If there's nobody you can ask, go to your state's bar association. The bar association has a long list of registered lawyers who are all licensed and legitimate. They can give you few leads to help you start looking.
You can also use the internet to find the attorney you need. Into any search engine, type "lawyer" and your local area, and you'll turn up a number of websites. You can also use online search sites like Nolo.com and lawyer.com, which are designed to help you choose the right one.
Narrowing Down Your List
Once you've got a list of prospects, it's time to start narrowing down. First, decide what type of services you need. There are various legal fields, including personal injury law, medical law, finance and tax law, etc. Think about the long term and decide what kind of services you need, then narrow your focus to lawyers that are experienced in this area.
Now it's time to start interviewing. Call the lawyers on your list and ask them a few key questions. You can make your own questions, but here are some essentials:
- How long have you been practicing in this field?
- How many cases like mine have you settled in the last year or two?
- How does your fee structure work? (For example, is there a consultation fee? Do you use a basic fee or hourly fee?)
- Will you be handling the case, or will it be handled by a paralegal or junior attorney? (This will affect how much their service costs)
- Can they give you references of past clients? If they can't handle the case, can they refer you to a lawyer who can?
- What information should you bring to the consultation?
Remember that there are no "stupid" questions, and the more questions you ask, the better able to make an informed decision you'll be. Also, be prepared to give them the full details of your case. This is not a consultation, but knowing about your situation may help them decide whether they can help you or not, and give an estimate on the price.
Your lawyer can sometimes be your best friend. This is why it's important to find a legal professional who's a perfect match for you. Get a list of lawyers and narrow it down until you find just the right person to handle your case.
By: Andrew Stratton
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Finding a good lawyer in Macklenburg county should be carefully researched and decided upon with proper attention to ensure the best fit for the client. For more information, visit http://www.dugganlegal.com/
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