7 Tips for Choosing a Professional Lawyer

Choosing a lawyer is not an easy task under normal circumstances but if you or a loved one is injured in an accident, it makes the job a bit more difficult. But there are a few things you need to know when choosing a probate attorney.

Getting a referral from someone who has used a probate lawyer in the past is usually the best way to find legal counsel. Speak with friends, family and neighbors who have used one of these types of attorneys in the past. Their advice can be very helpful to you. Find out what their opinion of the lawyer was. Did they feel comfortable with the attorney? Did the attorney take time to listen to them and also take the time to explain the steps involved in their case? What was the outcome of their case? This is all very valuable information.

Contact the American Bar Association for a referral list of probate attorneys that are located in your area. You can go to their website and under the "Find Legal Help" icon, just select your state and it will give you a list of attorneys that are members of the ABA.

Once you have a list, call the law office and set up an initial consultation to meet with the lawyers. The first meeting should be free of charge. Most attorneys will not charge for the initial consultation. Inquire as to how many cases the attorney has done that is similar to yours and what the outcome was? Also find out how much the charge would be for your case. This would obviously be a rough estimate.

It is important to choose an attorney that has a good deal of trial experience so be sure to ask how many probate cases he has taken to trial and what the outcomes were. The best way to do this is to hire an attorney that is board certified as a trial attorney.

Be aware of attorneys that offer you empty promises and guarantees before hearing your case. He cannot promise you anything like that. The money and division of property from an estate that is awarded to you all depends on things such as what is written in the will and the validity of any claims.

Once you have found the right legal counsel that you like, obtain a fee agreement in writing. If you need updates on your case, understand that attorneys are busy since they usually have several cases going on at the same time. So be patient in getting phone calls back. You obviously shouldn't have to wait 4 or 5 days for a call back but a day or two is reasonable.

Understand your individual case as well when waiting for an update on your case. You are entitled to regular updates on your case but the attorney can only do what he or she can until they hear from the other parties involved in your case.