how to find a lawyer + lifehacker.com

How do I find a good lawyer for my case?

 · Some of this involves web searching, but you can find a lot of this information by calling your state Bar Association. Even if they can't make specific recommendations, they can direct you to ...

How do I find out if a lawyer has a license?

 · About Lifehacker Advisor Lifehacker Store. ... If you want to find a good attorney, there's a better way to go about it than just opening the telephone book and hoping for the best.

How should I tell my lawyer my Story?

 · The Wall Street Journal highlights several online tools designed to help regular people find a good lawyer. Alternately, if you can do without a lawyer, the article suggests a few tools that can ...

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer?

 · Once you've found a lawyer you're comfortable working with, lay all your cards on the table. Rule number one, says Unrath, is to be honest and truthful. Your conversations with …

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).

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.

Is a lawyer a human being?

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.

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 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.

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.

Who is the founder of Lawtrades?

A good one can help you get started on the right foot (or deal with rival companies.) Raad Ahmed, CEO and Founder of LawTrades, a site that helps people find a lawyer and get legal advice, explained that earlier is better if you think you need a lawyer, even if your case doesn't go to court.

What is self help legal center?

Many states offer self-help legal centers that provide lawyers or paralegals who can answer your legal questions and offer guidance on specific issues, like child support or immigration. This is not the same as having a lawyer, but it’s a good place to start—especially if you just want a better understanding of the law.

What is legal aid?

There is relief available, however, in the form of legal aid— an umbrella term for any service which provides legal assistance to those with low income. Here’s a look at your options. Advertisement.

Do you have to have an attorney if you are arrested?

It’s just like the Miranda rights state: If you’re arrested and charged with a crime, you have the right to an attorney. A state-by-state list of public defender organizations can be found here. Otherwise, a judge will appoint you an attorney when you’re formally charged with criminal counts.

What are the free legal services?

Bar associations, law schools, and private law firms also offer free legal service, typically with a focus on community issues like civil rights or consumer protection, in what are known as pro bono programs (pro bono publico means “for the public good”). For a list of pro bono programs in your state, start here. Law schools may not be able to offer you a lawyer, but they will provide legal clinics that can offer advice—you can find some listed here — although another option is to look up local law schools and contact them directly, too (this also applies to local private law firms).

Is legal help paid hourly or contingency?

Worth noting that at least in the U.S., many types of legal help are paid by contingency fees (a percentage of any eventual recovery), not hourly, for the exact reason that the people needing that kind of help couldn’t afford it otherwise. Social Security Disability appeals, personal injury/malpractice, and other little-guy-facing matters.

What is the first qualification for 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. No one you listen to and nothing you read will be able to guarantee that a particular lawyer will be the best for you; you must judge that for yourself.

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.

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.

Is there a free legal aid program?

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. 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.

Do lawyers use ads?

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. 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. Keep in mind that your case may not have a simple solution. If a lawyer quotes a fee, be certain you know exactly what services and expenses the charge does and does not include.

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.

How to find a good attorney?

Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find.

How to get a feel for an attorney?

One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.

Why is it important to have a last will?

You know having a last will is important—it protects your family and provides for your final wishes. Now that you're finally sitting down to write that will, be on the lookout for these common but easy-to-avoid mistakes.

What to do if something feels off?

If something just feels off, you should move on and find an attorney with whom you have a better rapport.

Is it necessary to hire a lawyer?

Although an attorney isn’t always necessary when dealing with legal situations, if you’ve decided you want to hire a lawyer, you may now be wondering how you go about finding a good one. Before you begin your search to find a lawyer, remember there are different types of lawyers, from estate planning to criminal defense.

Is a lawyer an attorney?

The terms "lawyer" and "attorney" have a lot in common, but not all lawyers are attorneys.

How long does it take to get a lawyer's profile?

Within 24 hours , your case is reviewed, evaluated, and when a lawyer is interested in taking your case, you'll receive a full attorney profile and their background information.

How long does it take to get a response from a lawyer?

Within a few hours after you submit your case, you may receive responses from local attorneys by phone or email. We recommend waiting a day or two to allow the majority of attorneys to review your case thoroughly. Then, it's up to you to select the right lawyer near you based on the responses you receive and the legal qualifications you're looking for.

What does lawyer star rating mean?

Lawyer star ratings and reviews show previous customer experiences with each attorney and allow you to properly evaluate their strengths and weaknesses

Is a lawyer pre-screened?

All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations

Is your privacy protected?

Your privacy is always protected - you decide when to disclose your personal information to interested attorneys. All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations. Review attorney's profiles and responses to your case before making a decision.

How many articles are there in the law library?

Our online law library has over 10,000 articles that can help guide you in the right direction to resolve your legal issue. Our legal experts have provided clear insights and detailed information that will help you settle your legal problems quickly without a heavy financial burden.

Is there an obligation to hire a lawyer?

There is never any obligation to hire or contact a lawyer through our service - you decide if and when you contact an attorney

What states have good standing attorneys?

South Dakota - Call the State Bar of South Dakota (605-224-7554) to determine if a person is licensed to practice law and in good standing. Tennessee. Texas. Utah. Vermont - Select the link for "Attorneys in Good Standing". Virginia.

What states have bar associations?

Nevada. New Hampshire - Call the New Hampshire Bar Association (603-224-6942) to determine if a person is licensed to practice law and in good standing. New Jersey.