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When should you call an attorney?

An attorney might put you at ease about a concern or help save you stress, time and money in the long run. Consider these six scenarios where calling an attorney could be helpful. 1. Your driver's license has been suspended.

Do lawyers like to do the questioning?

Lawyers like to do the questioning--but when choosing one, make sure you ask a bunch from the start. Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation.

What should I do if my lawyer is not clearly spelled out?

If it's not clearly spelled out in your representation agreement, ask the lawyer how he or she would prefer to communicate with you (email, telephone, or some other method), and then keep in contact regularly. The lawyer may give you advice on how to proceed.

How do you ask for legal advice on a job application?

Ask follow-up questions—make sure you understand your options. Provide key details, but don’t feel like you have to tell the whole story. Ask a concise question—be brief and to the point. We use your location to provide state-specific advice from local lawyers.

What do you say when you call a lawyer?

0:261:20What To Say When You Call An Attorney - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific.MoreKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific. Situation. And when you keep it simple in the beginning it really does make it easier.

What happens when you call a lawyer?

During the call, the attorney most often will ask you to explain your situation to them and may stop you along the way as he or she has questions. Once the attorney has a good understanding of the facts, he or she may explain and educate you regarding what the laws relevant to your potential case are.

Can I just ask a lawyer a question?

Ask a Lawyer allows you to get free answers from lawyers in your area for basic legal questions on a variety of topics, including family law, employment law, criminal law, and more.

What kind of questions do you ask a lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

How do you greet a lawyer?

Professional Correspondence. Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. In the salutation for a letter or email, address an attorney the same way you would any other respected professional- using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their surname.

How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer?

The minimum for an hourly consultation is around PHP 1,000.00 outside of Metro Manila and PHP 2,500.00 in Metro Manila. The rate only goes higher depending on the lawyer. There is no standard rate for an hourly consultation so it is best to ask for the consultation fee before booking a consultation.

How can I get a legal question answered for free?

ABA Free Legal Answers is a website on which you can submit your questions about civil (non-criminal) legal issues and receive answers from pro bono lawyers in your state. It's EASY. Legal questions are submitted online – all you need is an internet connection. It's CONVENIENT.

What are legal questions?

An issue that is always resolved by a judge, not a jury, including: An issue regarding the application or interpretation of a law. An issue regarding what the relevant law is. ... An issue of fact that nevertheless has been reserved for judges, not juries, to resolve.

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•

Why do attorneys hold discussions on the bench?

These discussions are purposefully held out of the jury’s hearing to avoid confusing the issues or influencing the jurors.

What is a private discussion between a judge and an attorney called?

These private discussions between the judge and attorneys are commonly referred to as side bar discussions.

Why do attorneys approach the bench?

Attorneys approach the bench to avoid the inconvenience and disruption of sending the jury from the courtroom. However, if the discussion is going to take a long time then the jury may be excused by the judge.

What does the opponent want to do when the objection is coming?

The opponent sees that an objectionable question is coming and objects before it’s asked; the opponent wants to approach the bench to explain the objection.

What to know when making a first call to a lawyer?

When you make that first call to a prospective lawyer, you need to have as much information as possible at the ready. A productive first conversation will give both you and the lawyer on the other line a better idea of whether or not you can work together. While most of us think lawyers "take" our cases, the relationship is a two-way street. Your lawyer is your legal representation, which means you have a say in the matter too. The State Bar of Arizona has a great guide to this relationship, and that first conversation.

What to do if your lawyer needs something?

Finally, Sandefur notes that if your lawyer needs something from you, it's extremely important to get it to them on time. Don't put it off, don't assume that Friday is the same as Monday morning. It may seem unfair since your lawyer may be the one asking for continuances or delays, but if they tell you they need something by a certain date, they really need it. Don't go dark on them either—if you're going to be out of touch or unreachable, let them know in advance.

How to interact with a lawyer?

Timothy Sandefur, a lawyer for the Pacific Legal Foundation, offers a few more useful tips on his blog about how to interact with your lawyer. For one, he notes, make sure to tell your story chronologically, completing every thought before moving on to the next. Your lawyer is still a human being, and they need to experience the events you're describing or your situation as close to how they happened as possible. Jumping forward and back in time or going off on tangents is confusing, and may lead to an important detail being overlooked. Be specific, but avoid using legal terminology unless you absolutely know what you're talking about (for example, don't call something a "contract" or a "deed" unless you're certain it was, legally.)

What is a good lawyer?

A good lawyer works with you, helps you understand the situation, and guides you to the best possible result. To do that, they need a client they can work with. Here's how to be just that. Advertisement.

How do you know if you need a lawyer?

Some telltale signs you need to engage [a lawyer] are when someone is threatening to sue you (like a neighbor or a business contact), when you're being asked to sign something where you are giving up your rights or accepting money (other than an iTunes agreement), when you receive something official in the mail from a law office or court, or when you want to change the terms of something that is already written down ( like a contract to do business, or the terms of a custody agreement , etc).

Is it a good idea to speak to a lawyer?

For example, if you're being mistreated at work and want to know what your rights are, or you've been a victim of fraud or theft, speaking to a lawyer is a good idea even if nothing comes of it. Similarly, consult with a lawyer if you have a brilliant idea and want to make sure it's not stolen, or want to start your own business. A good one can help you get started on the right foot (or deal with rival companies.)

Is legal representation cheap?

Legal representation doesn't come cheap. That's the biggest reason most of us don't deal with lawyers until we absolutely have to. Many of us just assume legal representation is prohibitively expensive, but that's not necessarily true. Services like LawTrades, previously mentioned LegalAdvice.com, LawHelp.org, and ProBono.net all offer ways to get basic legal advice for free. From there, the lawyers who work with those sites can either reach out to you directly to help you further, or recommend that you find a lawyer in your jurisdiction to represent you and examine your specific situation in detail.

Why do you want to know why you picked a lawyer?

Your prospective lawyer or attorney will want to know why you picked them. It will allow them to understand how you think, approach problems and your life in general. This makes it easier for you to work together since they know you, your needs and desires. When answering this question, be frank but always show them that you value their competence. This will motivate them to provide their best services.

What does a lawyer need to know?

Your lawyer needs to know the results you desire at the end of the suit. It helps them to work towards attaining them. For instance, if you want monetary compensation for something terrible that was done to you, let them know. Do not forget to tell them the amount you think would be enough for you.

How would you like to communicate with your lawyer?

If, for example, you like face-to-face communication because it allows you to understand things better, inform them. You may also live in a place where telephone connection is weak, and they need to know so that you can look for better ways to communicate. With the best communication channels, you can solve your case faster.

Do lawyers want to know your case?

A lawyer will want to know every single detail of your case. This includes the circumstances that forced you to file the suit. When answering this question, be as honest as possible. Do not withhold any important information from your attorney. It will increase your chances of winning in court.

Can a lawyer negotiate with a client?

You can even ask them to lower them for your convenience. Most lawyers have no problem negotiating with their clients. These are some of the many questions that your attorney might ask you during your first meeting. Be as genuine as possible because it will lay a solid foundation for your working relationship.

What happens if you don't call an attorney after being released from jail?

If you don’t call an attorney at that point, reach out to one after you are released because you will want to hire someone to represent you. 3. Your child is being expelled from school.

How to make an argument for keeping your license?

Consulting with an attorney before the hearing can help you make the strongest argument for keeping your license. In some cases, you may even want to hire an attorney to represent you. 2. You have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI)/driving while intoxicated (DWI).

What to say when something goes wrong in your life?

When something goes wrong in your life — with your home, with your kids, with your car — your first thought might not be, “I need to call an attorney.” The problem might seem too small or you might think it seems too early to make it a legal issue. But many times in these situations you could benefit from consulting with an attorney. An attorney might put you at ease about a concern or help save you stress, time and money in the long run. Consider these six scenarios where calling an attorney could be helpful.

What to do if contractor is behind schedule?

If you continue to have issues and, even after many communication attempts, the problems persist, you should call an attorney. He or she can talk you through your options if the contractor is behind schedule, unwilling to repair poorly done work or other issues. To avoid problems in the future, you may want to consider calling an attorney to look over any contracts for work before signing them.

How do lawyers bill their clients?

In the case of lawyers who charge hourly, some start out by charging a retainer, which is an initial up-front fee that they then bill against at an hourly rate until it runs out (at which point the assumption is usually that you'll be ready to pay more).

Why is it important to meet with an attorney?

An initial meeting with your attorney is important, not just for exchanging information about your case, but also for building rapport and trust. Commonly, you will first have a short phone call with the lawyer, who will then ask to meet you in person.

What to bring to a lawyer meeting?

What Should I Bring? 1 A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. 2 A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney. Write these questions down ahead of time, to make sure you get every query answered while you're sitting there. 3 A check for the initial consultation fee, if your attorney charges one. This should be discussed ahead of the meeting. Nothing gets a lawyer-client relationship off on the wrong foot faster than forgetting to make your first payment. Presenting that fee immediately shows that you're taking the relationship seriously. 4 Any documents relevant to your case. If, for example, you are negotiating a lease and want the lawyer to review it, you should obviously bring a copy of the draft lease. If possible, make multiple copies of each document you give to your lawyer, so that you can take a set back home. (Or you can ask the lawyer's office to make the copies, but you'll likely be charged at premium rates for those.)

How to impress a lawyer?

The more prepared you are with completed questionnaires (if the lawyer sent you any ahead of time), documents, diagrams, and your own questions, the easier this process will be , and the more you will impress the lawyer.

What to write in a conversation with an attorney?

In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney.

What happens if you don't hire a lawyer?

Be honest. Remember that, even if you do not end up hiring the lawyer, everything you tell him or her during your meeting is generally subject to the attorney-client privilege. (The biggest exception to this, not surprisingly, is if you tell your lawyer that you are going to commit a crime, which information the lawyer may be duty-bound ...

Do you need to wear a suit to a business meeting?

Dress professionally. This does not necessarily mean you need to wear a suit, but you should wear the type of attire you would wear to any formal business meeting. This shows the attorney that you are a professional, and are taking your case seriously.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

Every lawyer should review with their clients the possibility of a negotiated resolution prior to trial. In criminal matters, for example, you may be able to get a good plea bargain. In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation, a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party.

How to discuss case strategy?

In discussing case strategy, your lawyer should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to get to a resolution. Keep in mind that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be over.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

What should a lawyer outline?

Lawyers should outline the possible ways to handle a case and then explain why they have chosen a particular strategy, including the pros and cons.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

Why do judges ask for more information?

Often, a judge will ask for more information beyond just the Yes or No because they just want clarification; but any experienced judge already presumes that the follow up question will or should eventually be asked by one side or the other. A judge needs to ensure a fair trial. But that doesn't mean a slow trial.

What are the two questions asked in a court case?

You are asking two questions, one (1) about a defendant on the stand and another (2) about a witness who is not the defendant.

What is the proper answer to cross-examination?

But on cross-examination, asking a well-researched, proper, non-argumentative question calling for a “yes” or “no” answer are entirely proper. When the witness seeks to expand the answer, one simply states “objection; move to strike the witness’s response following [yes or no].” Most judges will sustain the objection. After that occurs a few times, request that the judge instruct th

What is the purpose of examining witnesses?

Recall that the purpose of examining witnesses is to provide evidence for the jury to consider; that evidence shouldn't always be run-on narratives, and sometimes requires specific, yes/no questions and answers. "Did you see the defendant on the date in question?" is absolutely a legitimate question, and the evidentiary value lies in the yes or no, not in hedging or describing, etc.

What to do if a witness fails to explain?

If he fails to explain, I would make the witness to wait till the rising of the court for further proceedings on this matter and proceed with the next witness.

What does "I don't know" mean?

I get them to agree that there is a didfeeence between “I don’t know” (which means they never knew the answer to the question) and “I don’t recall” (meaning they knew it at one time but can’t remember now).

Can a judge deny an objection to a priestly attorney?

Judges, however, dislike commoners who think they know as much as the priestly attorneys. So, the judge may rule to deny the objection simply on that basis. This may be grounds for appeal, but the trial at hand could b