Hiring an Attorney: The Things You Should Do First

At some point in the life of an average American, there will come a time when it is necessary to hire an attorney. It could be for a simple business matter, to draft a will, or to file a complicated injury lawsuit against a corporation. Whatever the reason for your legal need, however, there are some things that apply to nearly every situation. Hiring a lawyer can be expensive. Here are some things you can do to ensure that you aren't wasting your money.

Know Your Goals

A lot of people will walk into the office of an attorney with very little clue of what they need from the meeting. This is something you should try to figure out before you start looking to hire someone. Your goals and desires may be quite a distance from reality, but that's okay. It's better to have unrealistic expectations than to have none at all. Think about what you want at the end of the case. Are you looking for an amicable divorce or a tough custody battle? Are you looking for simple document drafting or a prolonged trial? These things should be known before you consult with a lawyer.

Be Specific

You won't find too many lawyers who simply practice a little bit of everything. An attorney will generally specialize in one particular part of the law and you'll want to find someone with a specialty in the kind of case you are bringing to the table. It obviously makes no sense to bring your criminal case to a divorce law firm, but it may also be a mistake to bring your DUI case to a lawyer who focuses on traffic tickets. Be as specific as possible. The more experience the attorney has in the type of case you're bringing in the door, the better you can expect your results to be.

Know What You're Being Billed For

Most people experience a bit of sticker shock when they hear what an attorney charges for his time. Make no mistake about it, hiring legal representation is not cheap. But you should at least know what you're in for. Make sure that the lawyer you're thinking of hiring is very explicit about how he charges, how he bills, and what you can expect to pay. There's nothing worse than getting a surprise bill in the mail. If you decide to hire a firm, make sure you get all of your agreements in writing. If you are then charged for something in error, you have a document you can go back to.