how to get advise from a lawyer

1. Schedule a free legal consultation with a local attorney. Many attorneys offer 10 to 60 minute, free of charge legal consultations.
2. Look into federally funded legal aid programs. Legal aid programs employ lawyers and paralegals to offer free services to people who are eligible.
3. Take advantage of the free legal services offered by your local county or state courts. ...
4. Find a local pro bono program. Pro bono means services delivered free of charge, or sometimes at a greatly reduced cost.
5. Contact a self-help legal aid clinic. Pro se litigants are those persons who appear in court and handle other legal issues without being officially represented by a licensed attorney.
Call a legal aid hotline. Legal hotlines provide advice for people in specific situations, such as victims of domestic abuse.
See if a local law school has a clinic program that offers free legal services. ...
Access “Ask a Lawyer” Resources. Ask a Lawyer resources allow people to ask lawyers specific questions regarding various legal issues.

Full Answer

How to find a free lawyer?

Try these searches:

• Pro Bono Resource Directory maintained by the American Bar Association. ...
• Contact your local or state bar association (a professional organization dedicated to advancing the careers and education of their members). ...
• Contact the organization or state agency that oversees lawyer licensing in your state. ...
• Visit the local law school. ...
• Call the local courthouse. ...

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Where can I get free legal advice online?

Legal Aid will hold a free Legal Aid Phone Clinic on Feb. 8 for residents of ... Individuals calling to the Legal Aid Phone Clinic can expect to receive a brief consultation to answer general questions, offer legal information, or to receive other limited ...

What is a free consultation with a lawyer?

• LawHelp.org. Find free legal aid programs, information and forms for your state or territory.
• StateSideLegal.org . Legal help for low-income military members, veterans and their families.
• National Center for State Courts. The NCSC provides links to legal aid programs, by state.

What is a free legal advice?

Legal aid programs are exceptionally helpful with providing legal advice for divorce proceedings, employment issues, landlord and tenant issues, and a number of other legal problems. In many states, your income must be below the federal poverty line in order to qualify for free legal aid. For information on the federal poverty line, click here

How do you approach a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

Is there a website to ask lawyers questions?

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.

How do you prepare to talk to a lawyer?

How to Prepare for a Lawyer ConsultationFinding the Right Attorney. Before you can have an attorney consultation, you need to find a lawyer who might be a good fit. ... Background Knowledge. ... The Legal Plan. ... Working with Your Attorney. ... Money Matters.

Where can I ask a question for free?

Below is a list of some of the most popular sites on the Internet dedicated to questions and answers, listed in alphabetical order.Answerbag. Answerbag is a website that helps answer questions in almost all types of different categories. ... Answers.com. ... Ask Me Help Desk. ... Ask MetaFilter. ... Avvo. ... Blurtit. ... Brainly. ... Brilliant.org.More items...•

Are public defenders free?

Contrary to what most people think, public defenders are not usually free. You may be required to reimburse some of your court costs and attorneys fees based on the charges, the verdict, your ability to pay, and even as a condition of parole (Defendants' Rights to a Court Appointed Attorney).

What questions should I ask my 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 I wear to meet a lawyer?

The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. Nothing too revealing.

Does my lawyer have to do what I say?

An attorney must always do what they say they will in a prompt and timely manner as unreasonable delay may adversely affect the outcome of your case.

What to do before looking for legal assistance?

Before you can start looking for legal information and assistance, you need to be able to explain your problem. A family law issue is going to have a different answer than a problem with a contract or your landlord. Have you received legal papers from a court. If so, identify who is suing you and what they want.

What is the ABA rule for lawyers?

Investigate public and non-profit legal assistance programs. Under ABA rules, all lawyers are encouraged to participate in low cost and pro bono programs. Many fulfill this recommendation by working with non-profit and community legal assistance programs.

What are the legal issues that can be a result of a landlord suing you?

Some common legal problems include divorce, child custody, child support or visitation, problems with a business, or problems with your landlord.

How to get more than one opinion?

Get more than one opinion. Depending on the complexity of your legal issue, you should seek out more than one opinion. Most attorneys will offer a free or fixed-cost consultation and evaluation of your legal issue. Ask about their experience with your type of case.

What is LSC legal aid?

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) was formed in the 1970s as an governmental non-profit corporation to help Americans with civil and domestic legal issues. [2]

How much does a bar association cost?

Some larger counties have their own "low-fee" programs administered through the county bar. In these programs, for a modest fee, usually $25 to $75, you can meet with an attorney and discuss your issue.

Is legal worry stressful?

A legal worry can be every bit as stressful as a health worry. Sometimes you only have a question or need information. Other times you have received legal papers and do not know what to do next. Fortunately, in the online world, there is a wealth of information and directories to organizations and attorneys who can help you with your problem.

When negotiating a fee with an attorney, what should I do?

When you are negotiating a fee with an attorney, make sure you understand everything that you are agreeing to, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or asking to take some time think about the arrangement before officially retaining an attorney.

How to get a free legal consultation?

Many attorneys offer 10 to 60 minute, free of charge legal consultations. Check your phone book or online directory for attorneys in your area.

What are the free legal services?

Take advantage of the free legal services offered by your local county or state courts. Many courts provide free legal clinics or Friend of the Court services to those involved in certain types of lawsuits, typically when family law related.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid programs are exceptionally helpful with providing legal advice for divorce proceedings, employment issues, landlord and tenant issues, and a number of other legal problems. In many states, your income must be below the federal poverty line in order to qualify for free legal aid.

What is legal hotline?

Legal hotlines provide advice for people in specific situations, such as victims of domestic abuse. In some cases the advice is free, and in other cases services are offered at very low costs. Do a search for legal hotlines in your state, and find one that will give advice appropriate to your situation.

What does it mean when you hire a lawyer?

When you hire a lawyer, you're hiring someone to represent you. Depending on your issue, your lawyer may represent you in litigation (in court) or in mediation/arbitration proceedings. Or they may create, review, process, or file documents.

Why is it easier to win a civil case?

Civil lawsuits are easier to win because the burden of proof is lower. And it's not necessarily one or the other. There can be a criminal case and a civil case for the same matter. If you're considering whether or not to sue someone, or you have been sued, you're looking at a civil matter.

What is a legal problem?

But, if they're not breaking any laws, what you have is a personal matter, not a legal one. A legal problem is one that can be solved by using the law. It's an issue that's addressed within federal, state, or municipal laws and regulations.

What are the two types of legal issues?

There are two main types of legal issues: criminal matters and civil matters. In criminal cases, the government prosecutes the case. In civil cases, the person bringing the suit hires an attorney to prosecute.

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.

What is law work?

LawWorks. LawWorks is a charity which connects lawyers with people who cannot get legal aid. It can provide free advice on issues such as: debt. welfare rights. housing matters. employment law. consumer disputes. You’ll need to make an appointment to see a lawyer at one of LawWorks’ legal advice clinics.

Do you have to pay legal fees if you lose a case?

You might have to pay legal costs if you lose your case and the other party has been given professional legal help. You should discuss what costs you might have to pay with your lawyer before they start work on your case.

How many people prefer to share documents electronically?

Today, that paradigm has shifted significantly. The 2020 Legal Trends Report found that 69% of consumers prefer to share documents electronically, 56% of consumers prefer videoconferencing over a phone call, and 65% prefer to pay through electronic payments.

Is it easy to get down on yourself?

It is easy to get down on yourself and your situation with all that is going on. You do not have it easy. You are graduating into an economy that seems like it is on the precipice of imploding. With so much uncertainty, you’re probably at a stress level of 10.0.

What to ask a lawyer about a case?

An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used. Find out if your attorney will attempt to settle and if mediation or arbitration are options. Think about the answers and if you are comfortable with them. Maybe you want to avoid a trial at all costs but your attorney really wants to just go to trial, or perhaps you have no intention of settling and want your day in court. It is important that your lawyer’s strategy lines up with your needs.

Why is it important to meet with a small business attorney?

Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting.

What is a meeting with a lawyer?

Meeting with a lawyer for an initial consultation is generally not a chance to ask legal questions that are in depth, but is instead an opportunity to get a sense as to whether this lawyer is the right one to handle your case. Use this meeting to help you decide which lawyer will be the best one for your case.

Why do lawyers offer free consultations?

Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you. Going to the first meeting with some simple questions can help you ensure you find the right person for the legal help you need. You will not get much legal advice at this consult since it is not meant to resolve your legal ...

Can you ask where an attorney went to law school?

It is generally not very helpful to ask where the attorney went to law school since you can find this information online and it often tells you nothing useful anyhow. Focus instead on experience with your type of case. You can also ask the average verdict the lawyer has obtained in your type of case.

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.

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 is the role of a lawyer?

Lawyers are given a lot of responsibility and often deal with serious matters, from criminal charges to child custody to tax and other financial matters. When you hire a lawyer, you are trusting him or her to represent your interests in the best manner possible. To protect the public—and the integrity of the legal profession—each state has its own code of ethics that lawyers must follow. These are usually called the “rules of professional conduct.”

How to file a complaint against a lawyer?

In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.

What happens if a client fires a lawyer?

When a client fires a lawyer and asks for the file, the lawyer must promptly return it. In some states, such as California, the lawyer must return the file even if attorneys’ fees haven’t been paid in full. Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on.

What is incompetence in a lawyer?

Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on. They must also be sufficiently prepared to handle matters that come up in your case, from settlement negotiations to trial. Conflicts of interest.

What happens if you don't report a violation of the law?

If there's no evidence of a violation, the board will dismiss the case and notify you. If the violation is minor, a phone call or letter to the lawyer usually ends the matter.

What are the rules of professional conduct?

The American Bar Association publishes the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which lists standard ethical violations and best practices for lawyers. Some states have adopted the model rules as their own ethical rules, while others use it as a guide and modify or add rules.

Who reviews ethics complaints?

In most cases, a board of lawyers and non-lawyers will review the complaint. If there’s a potential ethical violation, the board will give the lawyer a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond.