Which Lawyer Is Right For Your Case?
An ideal lawyer will not just have a string of impressive credentials or gold lettering on his own door. He or she will not only be caring, concerned, but also devoted to their work. You need to think carefully before laying your trust in a lawyer after all in some cases your life, future, money or property will be in that persons hands.
Many people do not realize that there are different types of lawyers. While some can do more than one form of legal work,
it is usually best to find an attorney who specializes in the variety of case that needs to be dealt with. Some of the most common types of law practiced include:
1. Family: Issues of concern consist of divorce, marriage, prenuptial agreements, adoption, and custody. Wills, trusts and probate issues typically fall into this category as well.
2. Civil: Cases deal with individuals and their rights. These lawyers typically only handle civil matters because civil law is very specific and requires careful study.
3. Corporate: Work is done on behalf of corporations to maintain contracts, agreements, and customer complaints.
4. Real Estate: Realtors and buyers often need representation to insure the proper sale of homes and property. These attorneys can also be called upon to assist in setting up trusts that include large amounts of property.
5. Criminal: These attorneys deal with criminal charges and can be either on the side of the prosecution or of the defense. This sort of attorney typically deals with criminal law only, as it is a very specialized field.
Before choosing a lawyer, it is always best to get a few recommendations from friends and family, conduct online research, and check through advertisements for a listing of case types. Once the field has been narrowed down, a face-to-face interview should be done to make sure that the case is the sort that the attorney is willing to take on. During the interview, it is important to find out their level of experience, their availability, their charges, and ask for references.
Regardless of the type of lawyer, all attorneys will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and will have passed the bar in the state they are working in. This can be checked by calling the state bar association to make sure the attorney is in good standing. While most people complain about the cost of legal fees, the amount will depend largely on the nature of the case and the amount of work that will go into it.
Most people find that they need a lawyer sometime during their lifetime. It may be in preparation of a marriage, the filing of a will, adopting a child, getting a divorce, owning a business, or the loss of a loved one. Regardless of the reason it is helpful to know what type of lawyer is needed, what questions should be asked, what credentials should be checked, and what to expect as the situation progresses.
