when can you get a free consultation with a lawyer?

Thus, if an individual needs actual legal advice or representation and they cannot afford to pay for a lawyer, they may be eligible to get a lawyer for free. Whether a person qualifies to receive free legal assistance will be contingent on specific guidelines enacted by the state in which they reside.

Full Answer

Should attorneys offer free consultations?

Questions to Ask

• What is your legal background?
• What area of law do you specialize in?
• How many cases have you served on?
• How often do you enjoy a successful outcome?
• Do you have any special experiences or training?
• How do you charge for services – by retainer, per hour, or on a contingency?
• Do you take payments by check or credit card?
• Do you offer financing options?

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Can I call a lawyer for free?

Legal advice is free. You do not need to apply for a grant of legal aid to get legal advice and you do not have to meet any eligibility criteria to use the service. However, if you get a grant of legal aid you will probably have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your matter.

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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What is the phone number for free lawyers?

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!

Who can be appointed as a free legal representative?

In criminal cases, those who cannot afford a lawyer will be appointed a free legal representative by the court. These representatives are usually selected from the local public defender’s office. The main purpose of appointing a public defender is to ensure that people who cannot pay for legal assistance in a criminal case will still receive fair ...

Why do lawyers not give legal advice?

The reason for this is due to special ethical and professional rules that lawyers and those providing legal advice have to follow. In fact, most of them cannot provide actual legal advice. They can only offer free legal information (e.g., where to find a particular court form, etc.). Thus, if an individual needs actual legal advice ...

What is a legal clinic?

A legal clinic is a service that allows current law students to gain experience by working on real-life cases under the supervision of a faculty advisor (e.g., usually a law school professor who is also a lawyer).

Who is Jaclyn from LegalMatch?

Prior to joining LegalMatch, Jaclyn was a paralegal and freelance writer.

Can the government refuse to pay for a lawyer?

So long as a person qualifies for free legal representation, the government cannot refuse to pay for their lawyer because it would violate ...

Do lawyers have to discuss fees before hiring?

While each lawyer may have different conditions for this fee arrangement, a person should be sure to discuss all of the terms of the agreement before they hire them. Lastly, though a person may be responsible for minor costs like filing fees or expert witness fees, the outcome may be worth the smaller expenses.

Do lawyers get paid for contingency fees?

On the other hand, if a lawyer has agreed to take a case on a contingency fee basis and they do not prevail, they will be paid nothing for their services.

What to Ask During a Free Consultation with a Lawyer

There are four important topics you should discuss during a free consultation with a lawyer. Ask the following questions as they relate to working style, your case, attorney experience, and costs and fees.

Tips for Preparing for Your Free Attorney Consultation

Knowing the right questions to ask will help you prepare for your free consultation with a lawyer. As you go into your meeting, also consider these tips that will give you the right mindset and information to make the meeting as productive as possible.

Get a Free Consultation with a Lawyer

A free consultation with a lawyer is the first step in your legal journey. Make sure you get the most out of this process by asking the right questions and taking steps to get prepared before your initial meeting. When you are prepared, you’ll be better able to vet attorneys and find the best lawyer for your unique situation.

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.

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 ...

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.

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.

Carl R. Vahl

File a bar complaint against the lawyer for a conflict of the RPC's. You cannot lie to clients and expect to get away with this type of conduct.

Larry Jerome Couture

While I agree that it is entirely inappropriate to bill a client after a free consultation when no fee agreement was entered into for the subsequent research, I am disturbed by how quickly some are willing to advise an anonymous poster to file a grievance or bar complaint. I am not questioning the truthfulness of the person asking the question, but I shudder to think at what kind of professional....

Shane Michael O'Rourke

Sounds like communication error. Have polite but direct communication with the attorney to see if you can change position -- or if the position is even valid or just office error.

John Robert Bonin

If you visited but did nit hire the counsel, a later bill seems out of place. It is unclear if you have addressed this to counsel or not. It would be appropriate for you to do so

Kevin H. Pate

It doesn't sound like you had agreed to pay for anything, but I'd recommend that you contact the attorney and just find out what's going on. Could be as simple as a billing error.