what is ask a lawyer

by Elissa Moen DVM 6 min read

Ask A Lawyer is a free offering on Lawyers.com where consumers can ask legal questions and seek answers from our extensive network of attorneys. For attorneys, it is an effective marketing tool linking you to prospective clients who may be in need of legal counsel.

Ask a Lawyer allows you to get free answers from lawyers in your area for basic legal questions on a variety of topics, including family law, employment law, criminal law, and more.

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

Don’t hesitate to ask your attorney questions such as:

  • What is the timeline of this process?
  • What sort of paperwork must I have prepared for closing?
  • What do I need to arrange with my bank/ mortgage lender?
  • What available funds must I have in my bank account?

What to ask before hiring a lawyer?

These are the first things you should ask an attorney before your first meeting. Indeed, some attorneys will charge you for the initial consultation, so you should know that before you go in to get information and come out with a bill in hand.

How do I Ask an attorney a question?

For the rest of you, here are my thoughts on this subject:

  1. Real mentors see themselves as teachers whose job is to teach their associates how to practice law properly.
  2. Those ‘mentors’ who loudly proclaim that they believe in the ‘sink or swim’ method and are vehemently opposed to ‘holding the hand’ of their juniors are full of crap. ...
  3. People do not learn to practice law in law school. ...

More items...

What questions would a lawyer ask?

Ask a Lawyer; Free Q&A with attorneys. Every 5 seconds someone gets free legal advice from Avvo. How it works . Ask your question—it’s free and anonymous. Get notified when a lawyer responds—usually within 12 hours. Ask follow-up questions—make sure you understand your options.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

How can a lawyer save you money?

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

How to discuss case strategy?

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

See more

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Is justia reliable?

Justia is a well known and reputable company. As far as I know, they do not provide exclusivity in an attorney's practice area, or geographic service area.

Can you call a lawyer to ask a question?

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!

What questions does a lawyer ask?

What Questions do Lawyers Ask Their Clients?What is your case about? A lawyer will want to know every single detail of your case. ... What do you hope to accomplish? ... How do you want us to communicate? ... Why did you choose me? ... Are you comfortable with my rates?

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.

What do you 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.

What do lawyers do?

Advise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters. Communicate with their clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in the case. Conduct research and analysis of legal problems. Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses.

How do you answer a lawyer question?

Do Not Exaggerate. Specifically, do not make over-broad statements that you may have to correct. Be particularly careful in responding to a question that begins “Wouldn't you agree that . . .?” The explanation should be in your own words; do not let an attorney put words in your mouth. Explain your answer if necessary.

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

How much money does a lawyer make?

about $148,910 a yearA: In 2020, the average salary of a lawyer was approximately $12,410 a month, which amounts to about $148,910 a year. Q: Do lawyers who own private practices or partners in law firms have a higher salary? A: Lawyers working in law firms generally earn more than those who own private practices.

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...•

What is a legal question?

An issue that is always resolved by a judge, not a jury, including: 1) An issue regarding the application or interpretation of a law. 2) An issue regarding what the relevant law is.

What is an attorney called?

In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. For this reason, people in and out of the legal field often ask, “is an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?”. In colloquial speech, the specific requirements necessary to be considered a lawyer vs attorney aren't always considered.

6 Useful Questions To Ask A Lawyer Before Hiring Them

If you require a lawyer, it can be difficult to know what to ask them. It is important to have an idea of the different types of questions so you can feel more confident when hiring one. In this blog post, we will discuss 6 questions that are good for any type of legal situation.

33 Law Firm Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

By Indeed Editorial Team. Updated February 22, 2021 | Published April 3, 2020. Updated February 22, 2021. Published April 3, 2020

15 Interview Questions for Law Students to Ask

Why you ask: Client contact and relationships are key to building a successful practice and making partner. Not to mention that seeing the faces and knowing the players makes the work more fun. Whom you ask: Junior associates. Follow up: Ask how the firm helps associates build practices. Teaching networking strategies, introducing you to clients and supporting business development activities ...

Ask Free Legal Advice & Questions by Attorneys LawGuru

Ask FREE Legal Questions, Answered by Attorneys Today Ask FREE Legal Questions Get FREE public or private legal advice in minutes from our network of over 8,800 specialized attorneys in all legal areas - from Family Law and Bankruptcy to Criminal and Traffic Law.

Education and Experience

It is important to hire an attorney who has experience handling cases similar to your own. So, be sure to ask the attorney whether he or she has relevant (and recent) practice experience in the area of law at issue. Also, you may want to ask about the attorney’s legal education.

Professional History

Questions about the lawyer’s professional history are also important. You should ask the lawyer if he or she has ever been involved in a fee dispute. Another important question to ask is if the lawyer has ever been sued for malpractice, and how the lawsuit was resolved.

Contact Information

Clients often complain that their attorney doesn’t answer phone calls. However, your attorney might have a heavy workload and might not be able to stop what he or she is doing and take your call. This is why you should ask when the best time to contact him or her is and by what means (i.e. telephone, email, or in person).

How does LegalMatch work?

We've helped more than 5 million clients find the right lawyer – for free. Present your case online in minutes. LegalMatch matches you to pre-screened lawyers in your city or county based on the specifics of your case. Within 24 hours experienced local lawyers review it and evaluate if you have a solid case.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

Every lawyer should review with their clients the possibility of a negotiated resolution prior to trial. In criminal matters, for example, you may be able to get a good plea bargain. In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation, a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party.

How to discuss case strategy?

In discussing case strategy, your lawyer should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to get to a resolution. Keep in mind that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be over.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

What to ask a lawyer about his or her career?

It's also a good idea to ask the lawyer about his or her legal career. It's good to know how many years the attorney has practiced law, and what type of cases the attorney generally handles. It would also be helpful to know who the lawyer's typical client is. For example, if a lawyer usually works with businesses and you're an individual, ...

Why is it important to interview a lawyer?

Interviewing a Lawyer. It's important to interview the lawyer you want to hire to help you with your legal matter.

Why is it important to know what you will be billed for and what payment options the lawyer provides?

This is an important question because it will allow you to determine if you can afford the lawyer' s services. It's also a good idea to ask the lawyer about his or her legal career. It's good to know how many years the attorney has practiced law, ...

What are the requirements to become a lawyer?

The first two steps to becoming a lawyer are earning a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) and taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Then, the person must attend and graduate from law school. There are some states that have legal ...

What is the purpose of the law test?

The test involves multiple choice questions and essays on various areas of law meant to test a person's understanding of the law and capacity for logical thought. In addition to the requirements mentioned above, a person must also pass a moral character and fitness test.

How to Ask a Lawyer for Help

It is best to know how much you can get help by talking with the lawyer. To start the communication, you should keep in mind some important questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Email is a frequent and convenient form to contact your lawyer and communicate. So don’t be scared to send the email to your lawyer. You are confident about the details and follow the guidelines to avoid the risk and legal costs. All these aspects should be without the unnecessary costs, unintended consequences, and long delays.

Conclusion

To conclude, the topic of how to ask a lawyer for help is essential for the client to get the help of a lawyer for their cases to get legal advice. Asking the lawyer for help may need a very professional and soft attitude as your behavior and conduct can be a good cause or any negative concerns.

1. How long have you practiced law?

At a minimum, you'll want to know about the lawyer's expertise and whether the lawyer is a veteran or beginner attorney, for instance. Your legal issue may very well be handled by someone who is fresh out of law school, (or not). It all depends.

2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in question)?

You'll also want to know about a lawyer's expertise and how much of the attorney's practice is devoted to topic area your legal issue falls within. For example, if you need help with an adoption case, you may wish to seek a family law lawyer who has worked on, well, adoption cases. Click here for a full list of practice area definitions.

3. Who is your typical client?

This is an important, but often-overlooked question. For example, if you are an individual with a particular legal problem, but the attorney your meeting with represents only corporations, this may not be the best lawyer for you. Likewise, you may wish to know the financial background of some of the lawyer's clients.

4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?

Now is not the time to act shy. Feel free to ask about the attorney's track record, such as the number of cases won or settled, for example.

5. Other than a law degree, what kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply in my situation?

Some cases, like DUI and patent cases, require specialized training and knowledge for effective representation. Be sure to inquire whether your case fits into that category.

6. What are your attorney fees and costs, and how are they billed? Will a portion or all of my case be handled by paralegals or legal assistants? If so, ask about reduced costs

This step is obviously an important one. You'll want to know whether you can afford the lawyer's services and how you will be required to pay. This is also the time to ask about payment options and how often, and under what circumstances, you will be billed.

7. What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?

This can be important in two ways. First, if you are seeking an amicable divorce, for example, but the attorney is known to "go for the kill" in divorce cases, the attorney may not be the right one for you.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

Every lawyer should review with their clients the possibility of a negotiated resolution prior to trial. In criminal matters, for example, you may be able to get a good plea bargain. In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation, a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party.

How to discuss case strategy?

In discussing case strategy, your lawyer should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to get to a resolution. Keep in mind that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be over.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

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