i need a lawyer who can help with a will

Hiring a lawyer to handle your will can help ensure that you have contingencies prepared just in case your assumptions do not come to fruition. 4. Ensures Legal Compliance Since writing a will is surrounded by many complicated laws that can be difficult to understand, it is important to ensure that your will is valid in the eyes of the law.

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What kind of lawyer do I need to make a will?

Mar 10, 2022 · And find organizations that give free legal advice and may help you find a free or low-cost attorney. What to Look for in a Lawyer. Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include: Criminal law. Family law. Landlords and Tenants. Labor and Employment. You can often talk to a lawyer for free for at least the ...

What kind of lawyer helps with Wills?

Apr 29, 2020 · Contact the city courthouse. Seek free lawyer consultations. Look to legal aid societies. Visit a law school. Contact your county or state bar association. Go to small claims court. Depending on ...

Do I need an attorney to create a will?

If you feel that you can't afford an attorney, you can look into legal aid resources that might be able to help you with your particular situation. FindLaw's Do You Need a Lawyer section provides information about what lawyers do and legal aid resources available to you if you can't afford a private attorney.

How much will a lawyer charge to write your will?

Attorneys working with legal aid are either employees (paid by a charitable organization) or volunteers that will take on qualifying cases and represent you in court or other proceedings. You usually have to meet income requirements and the case must meet certain criteria, such as being reasonably likely to succeed and highly meritorious.

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 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 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 Geoff Williams?

Geoff Williams, Contributor. Geoff Williams has been a contributor to U.S. News and World Report since 2013, writing about ... Read more. Tags: personal finance, money, personal budgets, lawsuits.

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.

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."

How to get legal counsel without paying up front?

There is another way to get legal counsel without significant up-front expenses. This is the “contingency fee” arrangement, whereby one's payment to their attorney is contingent upon that lawyer getting some form of recovery for the client. Generally, the client pays either nothing out-of-pocket, or only some of the costs of the case (like filing and service fees). At the conclusion of the case, if the attorney loses, the client pays nothing, but if the attorney recovers any money for the client, then the attorney takes his or her fees as a percentage of the award.

When is an attorney appointed?

An attorney is typically appointed at the first hearing the defendant attends (usually a first appearance that occurs within 24 hours of arrest). Most commonly, the defendant receives the services of a Public Defender, an attorney paid by the state to represent clients with no means of representing themselves.

What is the right to remain silent?

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you. This right to an attorney, even if you cannot afford one, grew out of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution ...

What is the right of an indigent person to counsel?

On appeal from his conviction, the Supreme Court held that the right of an indigent (i.e., poor) defendant in a criminal case to have the assistance of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial. Thus, the conviction was overturned and the right to legal counsel in a criminal case was finally and firmly established.

What is a conflict attorney?

Thus, when someone has a conflict with the Public Defender's office, so-called “conflict attorneys” may be appointed by the court. These are usually private attorneys that have volunteered to assist the court in these situations.

What is pro bono representation?

This is called “pro bono” representation (which simply means “free” in Latin). Many cities and counties have pro bono legal clinics that offer free legal advice and help filling out forms. For actual representation in a court proceeding, you may be able to find a legal aid society near you.

Can you recover attorney fees from the other side?

In some cases, the legal aid society may ask that it be allowed to recover attorney fees from the other side should you prevail in the case.

What to do if you can't find a lawyer?

If you can’t find a free lawyer to help you, you can also look for lower cost legal help. You might consider hiring a lawyer only for parts of your case instead of the whole thing. This is called Limited Scope Representation.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid lawyers are lawyers who work on civil cases. Sometimes they are called legal services lawyers. Civil cases are things like eviction, debt collection, divorce, and public benefits. Legal aid lawyers work for organizations that pay them. They do not charge fees to their clients.

Do private lawyers charge fees?

Most private lawyers charge fees for most of their cases. Sometimes legal aid organizations have connections to pro bono lawyers. If a legal aid organization can’t take your case, you can ask if they have referrals to pro bono lawyers that might take a case like yours.

What is a retainer agreement?

A retainer agreement is also called an engagement letter. It is an agreement written by a lawyer who is going to represent you in all or part of your case. The engagement letter or retainer agreement is the contract you have with your lawyer that explains the representation.

Can a lawyer take money from a trust account?

The fee is held in separate account, called a trust account. The lawyer is only allowed to take money from that account after they earn it by working on your case. To learn more about retainer agreements and retainer fees, read Hiring a Lawyer.

Do public defenders get paid?

Public defenders are paid by the government to take cases for people with low incomes. There is a constitutional right to a lawyer in criminal cases. If you have a criminal case and you have low income, ask the judge for a lawyer at your first court date.

How long does it take to meet with a lawyer?

Make sure you tell the lawyer you were referred by the Legal Information Society's Lawyer Referral Service. You can meet with the lawyer for up to 30 minutes for a fee of $20 plus tax. Consultations are generally in the lawyer's office, although it is up to the lawyer.

How to contact a lawyer in Halifax?

Don't know which lawyer to choose? We may be able to help. Call the Legal Information Society's Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-665-9779 (toll free) or 902-455-3135 in the Halifax area. Lawyer Referral Service members offer an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a fee of no more than $20 plus tax.

Is Nova Scotia a pro bono lawyer?

Lawyer who are part of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service are not free (pro bono) lawyers. Lawyer Referral Service members are lawyers in private practice who offer a reduced fee for an initial consultation. After that you will need to work out a fee arrangement directly with the lawyer.