how long do people search for legal advice before contacting a lawyer

by Mrs. Eulalia Shanahan II 6 min read

How long does it take for a lawyer to answer questions?

Nov 12, 2010 · Three weeks is by no means time to set off any alarms and while it is disappointing that an attorney would consistently not return calls some attorneys are like that particularly with calls from non-clients. Keep in mind that the timing of any required notice is dependent on a fact not disclosed in your inititial post.

Where can I ask a lawyer a question online?

Nov 03, 2021 · To get the most from your time with a lawyer, it is helpful to prepare in advance. This is especially true if you are using the Lawyer Referral Service to get 30-minutes of free legal advice. To start, create a short description of your legal issue. Describe events (with dates) that led to you having a legal dispute.

Where can I go to get legal advice?

A lawyer can help ensure that you contact the right people first, and that you don't do something that will hurt your case later. LegalMatch makes finding the right lawyer easier than ever. 3. Determine the immediacy of your situation. If you've been accused of a crime or find yourself the defendant in a legal suit, contact a lawyer immediately.

How do I contact a lawyer for my case?

Sep 09, 2019 · Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs. Some ads also will help you determine a lawyer’s area of expertise. Other ads will quote a fee or price range for handling a specific type of “simple” case.

When should you seek advice for a lawyer?

Some specific situations that may call for seeking legal advice, and soon, may include: Signing a contract – it never hurts to have an attorney review the terms and conditions of a contract to ensure you're not agreeing to unfair terms. Once you sign, it's often too late to make any meaningful changes.Oct 27, 2017

What should I know before calling 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...•Feb 6, 2020

What is the difference between legal information and legal advice?

While legal advice is specific, direct, and proposes a course of action, legal information, on the other hand, is factual, generic, and does not address any particular cause of action.Feb 11, 2022

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...•Apr 13, 2018

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

How often should you call your attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

What is an example of legal advice?

Some examples of legal advice include drafting legal documents or contracts that affect the rights of a person, representing someone in a court of law or in a legal matter, negotiating the rights of a client, and advising someone about specific legal matters.Jul 27, 2020

What does seeking legal advice mean?

Legal advice is the giving of a professional or formal opinion regarding the substance or procedure of the law in relation to a particular factual situation. The provision of legal advice will often involve analyzing a set of facts and advising a person to take a specific course of action based on the applicable law.

How do you end a legal opinion?

0:582:18Drafting a Closing Legal Opinion - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis section provides information on the standard opinions delivered as well as the assumptions. AndMoreThis section provides information on the standard opinions delivered as well as the assumptions. And qualifications that may apply if your law firm has a standard form of closing opinion.

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

Typically the contingency rate free ranges from 33%-45% of the recovery. A contingency fee agreement is a payment arrangement that enables injured victims pursuing legal recourse to have legal representation, even if they do not have the financial ability to pay a lawyer out of pocket.Aug 3, 2021

How do I ask my lawyer for an update?

AnswerRaise the issue early on. Establish, in advance, a clear understanding about case updates. ... Be reasonable. A defendant who phones his or her attorney with a request for information can indicate a willingness to speak with the lawyer's associate, secretary, or paralegal.

How do you answer a law question in an interview?

Below are some common legal interview questions—plus suggestions on how to approach them.Tell me a little about yourself. ... What attracted you to our firm/organization? ... Can you describe a challenge or conflict you have faced at work and how you overcame it? ... What is your biggest weakness? ... Do you have any questions for us?Mar 20, 2021

What do lawyers do?

They attend court hearings, depositions, mediations, conferences and client meetings, and they draft all kinds of briefs, pleadings and agreements . Chances are, when you contact a law firm, you will initially speak with the legal support staff, such as a paralegal or legal assistant. The legal support staff is there to help you by taking your information and communicating that information to the attorneys.

Do law firms receive calls?

Most law firms receive a high volume of calls every day from people who are seeking legal advice and/or legal representation. These things will help you in making the initial contact with a law firm:

Can an attorney give legal advice?

Attorneys generally cannot give you legal advice without fully analyzing the facts of your situation, which takes time. Most attorneys are very busy and will not have time to respond to every question they receive.

Kenneth V. Zichi

Three weeks is a bit hasty. Do you know who is named in the will as the executor? THAT is the person you should be contacting, as the 'timing' of this is in that person's hands primarily. They have to hire the attorney, and unless and until an attorney is hired, they aren't going to be able to take any action to get the estate started.

Edward Joseph Smeltzer II

Three weeks is by no means time to set off any alarms and while it is disappointing that an attorney would consistently not return calls some attorneys are like that particularly with calls from non-clients. Keep in mind that the timing of any required notice is dependent on a fact not disclosed in your inititial post.

Henry Daniel Lively

Three weeks does not sound unreasonable. A lot has to be handled after someone dies. The funeral is the first priority. Death certificates must also be obtained, and this can take several weeks. You can hire your own attorney to represent your interests in this estate and follow the proceedings to make sure your rights are not violated...

What to do if you are unhappy with a lawyer on LegalMatch?

If you're happy or unhappy with the lawyer you found on LegalMatch, remember to rate them at LegalMatch. This will help others when deciding whether or not to hire the lawyer. That's how LegalMatch works, and why it works so well.

What happens if you fire a lawyer?

Some contracts specify that even if you fire a lawyer, he still gets a large percentage of any future award or settlement you may receive on your case. Make sure you know how to fire your lawyer – before you hire him or her.

Do lawyers advertise in the Yellow Pages?

As a general rule in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many reputable lawyers don't advertise in newspapers or the Yellow Pages. Don't assume that the size of the Yellow Page ad means that a lawyer is better qualified than one with a small ad (or no ad at all). Always review a lawyer's background. LegalMatch makes this easy with the profiles we offer on our LegalMatch Member Attorneys. These help you learn about a lawyer's experience and qualifications.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

What is legal group plan?

Employers or unions set up a fund to pay the employees’ legal fees, with the employee sometimes contributing a small co-payment. Legal group plans have become much more widespread in recent years. Some retail department stores and credit card companies even offer such plans to their customers.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

Do legal aid offices have their own lawyers?

Some legal aid offices have their own staff lawyers, and others operate with volunteer lawyers. Note that people do not have a right to a free lawyer in civil legal matters. I have been accused of a crime, and I cannot afford a lawyer.

What time does the Akron Bar Association answer legal questions?

The Akron Bar Association, in Akron, Ohio, is an example of what's out there. You can call the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 9 to 11 a.m., as part of their Ask an Attorney Service, and they'll answer legal questions for free.

What does it mean to spend time in court?

And to add fuel to the fire, spending time preparing for a court case can mean losing wages or part of a salary. In short, if you don't have the time to self-educate, and if you can't find enough free legal advice to help you have your day in court, it's a wise decision to seek out a competent attorney.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid societies are nonprofit organizations found in almost every corner of the country that provide free legal services to low-income people. While this is certainly worth exploring, the problem for many households is that the individual or couple makes too much money to qualify for help.

What happens if you can't afford a lawyer?

In a criminal proceeding, if you can't afford legal assistance, a court will appoint an attorney for you. In a civil case, generally described as a dispute between two private parties, to get legal representation, you have to get creative. Here's how to find legal help if you can't afford a lawyer:

What happens if you lose a case?

That is, if you lose your case, you won't pay money, but if you win, the law firm will take a portion of the money awarded to you. However, it's important to tread carefully before picking a lawyer. Choose a reputable attorney and make sure the rate is agreed upon before the lawyer takes your case.

Who is Andrea Vacca?

Andrea Vacca is a collaborative divorce attorney in New Yor k City and the owner of Vacca Family Law Group. She says – at least with divorces – that "some courts offer free assistance to parties who want to fill out their own uncontested divorce paperwork."

Can a lawyer represent you on contingency?

It's risky for lawyers to take cases on contingency, and they need to be confident a judge or jury will side with you, and that there's going to be something sizable awarded to you. While no legal expert will suggest you represent yourself, it is an option if you're in a financial bind.

WHAT HAPPENED

A young couple from Monroe, Michigan, was awarded a $15.8 million verdict as the result of their baby son, Jason, being inflicted with Cerebral Palsy as the result of an error during the final stages of a labor.

What Happened

While in the hospital a mother of three was not properly treated for a closed-head injury causing her untimely death.

What Happened

A Livonia pedestrian recovered $1.4 million when he was struck by a commercial van resulting in a traumatic brain injury in Redford, Michigan.

WHAT HAPPENED

Patient suffered cardiac arrest and brain damage when a hospital failed to recognize internal bleeding and treatment was delayed for more than 14 hours.

WHAT HAPPENED

A Tuscola County jury awarded $3.3 million to a severely brain injured motorist as the result of a defective Michigan highway.

WHAT HAPPENED

A seventeen-year-old construction worker suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting from a fall in Flint, Michigan, and was awarded $1.25 million.

What Happened

Middle-aged woman suffered severe disfiguring facial burns from a simple surgical procedure.

What is the number to call an attorney?

When you call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763) , you’ll be connected with an attorney in your area who’s familiar with the laws in your state, who’s willing to listen to your concerns, and who can explain the options available to you moving forward. Calls are answered 24 hours a day! 24/7 FREE LEGAL ADVICE: 1-800-ATTORNEY.

What is the best phone number to call for a free consultation?

When you call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763), you’ll be connected with an attorney in your area who’s familiar with ...

Is there legal advice online?

There are many free legal advice services available online as well, but we strongly advise you to take all online advice with a grain of salt. The law varies from state to state, and those giving legal advice will often have differing opinions, and may not even be licensed to practice law.

How long does it take to file Chapter 7?

If you provided all of the documents needed and you are looking at a Chapter 7, usually within a couple of days the papers could be prepared. Almost all bankruptcy attorneys use computer software which helps speed up the process.

Is timing important in BK?

Timing is very important in BK. Once there is nothing holding up your case, he/she should file right away. However, if he/she waiting on certain things to fall off your timeline, go with that advice.