how to find a afordable lawyer

by Glennie Langworth 7 min read

  • Know What Kind of Attorney You Need. Not all lawyers are created equally. Most have specializations in fields all across the legal spectrum.
  • Do Your Research. Once you have figured out what kind of lawyer you need, you can search for ones in your area. ...
  • Picking the Right Affordable Lawyer for You. After searching the internet or asking for recommendations, you’ll become overwhelmed. ...

Affordable Lawyers
  1. Free legal websites;
  2. Free legal hotlines located in their state;
  3. Local legal aid societies;
  4. Court websites;
  5. State or local bar association websites;
  6. Legal clinics hosted by law schools in their state; and.
  7. Various other resources, such as obtaining free legal advice from the public library.

Full Answer

How to find an affordable lawyer?

LegalMatch is free and dedicated to helping every person find an affordable lawyer. Present your case and within minutes, you can assess a lawyer’s profile. You can meet up with the attorneys matched to your case in order to find out which one is right for you. Here are some testimonials from our satisfied clients.

How to find a reliable lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

What should I look for when looking for an attorney?

Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include: You can often talk to a lawyer for free for at least the first conversation. Ask questions about their experience and fees.

How do I find a good family lawyer?

Make a list of the potential attorneys you have found in your area. Include the attorney’s name, address, phone number and website address. This will help you organize your search as you move forward. Review each attorney’s website.

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What is it called when you can't afford a lawyer?

When a court decides someone is "indigent" - with few assets and no funds to pay an attorney - generally either a private lawyer will be appointed by the court and paid with county funds, or a public defender program will be appointed to represent the person.

How do I decide what kind of lawyer to get?

Here are a few questions to help you determine what type of law would be a good fit for you:How Much Do You Like to Argue?How Motivated You Are by Money?How Much Control Do You Need Over Your Work Life?How Much Interaction Do You Need With Other People?What Do You Like to Do?

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What are the 4 types of lawyers?

Bankruptcy Lawyer. Bankruptcy lawyers are experts in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and handle insolvency issues for individuals or corporations. ... Business Lawyer (Corporate Lawyer) ... Constitutional Lawyer. ... Criminal Defense Lawyer. ... Employment and Labor Lawyer. ... 6. Entertainment Lawyer. ... Estate Planning Lawyer. ... Family Lawyer.More items...

When do I need a lawyer?

You likely need a lawyer if you're being sued or anticipate a lot of complicated legal situations in the future, like when you're starting a business.

Can a lawyer quote you a flat rate?

If you have a single need — like a will or a document to review — a lawyer may quote you a flat rate that's less expensive than an hourly service or a legal plan. But if you're in a period of life full of job and housing changes, a pre-paid law plan may bring peace of mind for reviewing contracts.

Do lawyers explain their fees?

Just make sure you read the fine print on what they don't cover. The American Bar Association advises that lawyers explain their fees, ideally in writing, within a reasonable time after beginning to represent you. Some state bars require that lawyers put fees in writing before they even take a case.

What should I look for when choosing a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem.

Are there any practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer?

Yes, the lawyer’s area of expertise and prior experience are important. Many states have specialization programs that certify lawyers as specialists in certain types of law.

Where should I start to look for a lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Are advertisements a good place to look for a lawyer?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. 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.

What about a local referral service?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan. What can I expect?

Legal services, like many other things, are often less expensive when bought in bulk. Some employers, labor and credit unions, and other groups have formed “legal insurance” plans. These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters.

I want to hire a lawyer, but I do not have much money. Where can I find low-cost legal help?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income.

What to Look for in a Lawyer

Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include:

Find Free and Low-Cost Legal Help

These programs offer a variety of ways to get legal aid. Some limit their services to people with low incomes.

Find Legal Resources for Specific Groups

Stateside Legal - Find free legal help for military members, veterans, and their families.

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

How to secure a lawyer?

In order to secure a lawyer on your case, you will need to sign the fee agreement and pay any required fees up front, such as a retainer. Once you have decided a on a lawyer and started moving forward with the legal process, your lawyer will take over and include his or her name on all legal documentation as your representative for the case.

Why don't I need a lawyer?

But even if you can't afford a lawyer, you don't have to go into your legal proceedings without any help. In fact, the Miranda Rights give those involved in certain high-profile or high-stakes cases the right to an attorney, which will be provided by the state or federal government. You may also have the right to an appointed attorney in child custody cases in which you face losing your children.

What is FindLaws directory?

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is one of several online legal directories that offer attorney listings across the U.S. As the premiere attorney search locator, FindLaw allows you to conveniently search for a lawyer by legal issue, location (i.e. state, county, city, and metro) and name. Moreover, FindLaw's directory is multidimensional to help you pinpoint relevant local attorneys, and also includes features that consumers care about, like descriptions of law firm practice area and easy links to attorney websites.

What is a lawyer referral service?

Lawyer referral services can help direct you to lawyers in your area based on certain criteria, mainly practice area or special services, such as immigration, domestic violence or legal aid. Since lawyer referral services are similar to phone book listings, however, you may not receive information regarding the lawyer's experience or qualification levels. As such, you may wish to cross-check attorney names through the State bar or some other lawyer referral service that provides a better perspective of a lawyer's background.

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Pre-Paid Legal Services vs. Flat Fee vs. Hourly Rates

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Typically, you contact a lawyer or law firm and contract with them for their services. It's usually someone nearby, familiar with the area of law you need and you'll often pay by the hour. There are now many online resources, including sites like Avvo and FindLaw, that help you connect with a lawyer in your area. RightCounsellooks at 3…
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What Does A Pre-Paid Plan include?

  • Alternatively, you could use an online subscription service like Legal Zoom or LegalShield. Rather than contracting with a law firm that charges hourly rates, these companies connect you to a network of lawyers and offer a menu of legal services, including a local lawyer on call and several common legal services. What you get in a pre-paid legal plan varies by state, by the length of cov…
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Choosing The Best Option For You

  • First you need to assess your needs. You likely need a lawyer if you're being sued or anticipate a lot of complicated legal situations in the future, like when you're starting a business. But for many people who have smaller legal needs, like reviewing an employment contract or writing a will, hiring a lawyer can be prohibitively expensive. According to a paperin the Denver University Law …
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