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You may have friends and coworkers who speak about their attorney as if it were perfectly normal to have one. Though the costs of hiring a lawyer are prohibitive to the average person, there are actually ways to have legal representatives on retainer for a fraction of the cost of hiring one in an emergency. Read here about how to find these attorneys and how to establish the relationship.



Make it clear up front that you would like your legal fee agreement in writing from your lawyer. This will help you avoid the surprise of an unexpectedly high bill. Make sure that all expenses and fees are itemized, so that you'll have a clear understanding of what exactly you are paying for.



Do not pick a lawyer because you saw their ad on television or on a billboard. Many big firms that can afford this type of advertising use lawyers that are fresh out of school for most of their cases, but charge you for the experience held by its highest lawyers.



Ask everyone you know if they've used a lawyer for a legal situation such as yours, and who they might recommend. Don't forget to collect references for the lawyers on your short list and check them out. Also conduct a background check and Google them to see what others say about their services.



Talk with your family and friends before you hire an attorney. By speaking with friends, neighbors and family, you may be able to get a great suggestion on a lawyer that successfully dealt with a case of theirs. This can really save you a lot of stress and money down the road.



Most attorneys charge for their services by the hour, but hiring one with a lower hourly rates does not mean your total cost will be less. If your lawyer needs two hours to complete a job that some other lawyer can complete in an hour, you will pay more in the long run.



Communicate with your lawyer. A good lawyer should be easy to get in touch with and call you back quickly after you leave a voice-mail. You should not hesitate to call your lawyer to ask for some updates or schedule regular appointments so your lawyer can give you more details on what they have been working on.



Speak with a general lawyer to see if they know of a lawyer that works with your kind of a case. All lawyers have their own specializations. Your general lawyer can find you an excellent lawyer for your specific needs. If you've already worked with a lawyer then they probably want you to be satisfied. This means they may be more likely to provide you with great advice.



If you find a divorce lawyer and they seem very excited about making your ex &pay& for everything they have done to you, look for someone else. While you may have revenge in your heart, your lawyer is supposed to think straight at all times. Being biased is not a good work ethic, even if it is in your favor.



Avoid lawyers that use the term &slam dunk& in regards to any situation or case. Seasoned legal professionals know that the law is rarely a cut and dry matter. Otherwise, lawyers might not need to exist at all! You do want a confident attorney, but not an arrogant or ignorant one.



While you may believe that paying more leads to greater quality, it does not. You are paying for http://blogs.lawyers.com/attorney/automobile-accidents/i-was-involved-in-a-car-accident-and-the-person-who-hit-me-says-he-was-working-is-his-employer-liable-31148/ of the lawyer, and their skill level does not necessarily equate to their pay rate. In the end, it is the amount of time they spend on your case which inflates your bill, not their experience.



Any initial meeting or conversation with a lawyer should include four key questions that you ask them. Is the lawyer experienced in your specific type of situation? Do they charge flat rates or hourly fees? How much do read the article estimate the total cost will be? How long will this take to fully resolve?



Look every prospective lawyer you meet up online through your state's web site. There are good lawyers and bad lawyers out there, and if you want to be sure that you are going to get what you are paying for you should certainly take the time to research them. If they have complaints filed about them, you should easily be able to find that information online.



Keep tabs on what your lawyer is doing, and be sure you understand any documents filed in your name or any other action your lawyer takes on your behalf. Always make note of discussions and agreements you make with your lawyer so that, if there is ever any question later, you will be able to refer to your notes to see whether or not you gave permission for a specific action.






<img src="http://www.phxcaraccidentlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Phoenix-Car-Accident-copy.jpg" />

Make sure you do some research prior to filing a Worker's Compensation claim. All the states vary with their paperwork and filing deadlines. These claims are different from other types of cases and should be treated as such. Worker's Compensation cases have different guideline than other types of cases.



It is often the case that lawyers are seen as a necessary evil, only to be consulted when things really go badly. The truth, though, is that if you educate yourself about what lawyers do and how they can help make your life easier, you are likely to see things differently. Hopefully the information above has been a useful resource to help you do just that.