Ask a Lawyer These 5 Questions Before You Hire Them

Dealing with legal matters can be stressful, whether you're the plaintiff, the defendant or a concerned friend or family member helping someone navigate the legal system. It's no secret that laws and court documents often contain complex legal jargon, which is why many people decide to find a lawyer instead of representing themselves in the courtroom.

Read More Legal Articles

An attorney can provide legal advice if they decide to take your case, but like many potential clients, you may be wondering how you know a law firm is a good fit for your case.

Every individual or group has different expectations and needs when it comes to legal matters. However, a few simple questions can help you choose the right lawyer for your needs, regardless of whether you're facing criminal charges, going through a custody battle or working out the kinks of a company merger.

1. Do You Have Experience With Cases Like Mine?

When interviewing lawyers, consider looking for law firms that regularly work with clients in your situation. For example, an attorney who typically handles personal injury cases may still help with a landlord-tenant dispute or bankruptcy proceedings, but these cases may be outside their comfort zone. You may find an attorney who often handles specific types of cases, such as child custody disputes or drunk driving cases, is a better fit for your legal matter.

However, finding a lawyer who focuses on a specific practice area isn't always enough to ensure a good attorney-client relationship. While every case is unique, make sure your lawyer has experience with similar cases. This may mean choosing a lawyer familiar with high-conflict custody cases rather than amicable divorce settlements if you have an abusive ex who's fighting for sole custody. You can discuss this during your initial legal consultation.

2. How Much Will My Case Cost?

Even highly experienced attorneys can't always predict how much your case will cost from start to finish because there are too many variables at play. However, your attorney should provide an estimate based on similar cases or give you information about anticipated expenses, such as:

• Hourly rates or flat fees for legal proceedings
• Fees for faxing, filing and copying documents
• The cost to begin working on your case, often known as a retainer

Some lawyers charge a contingency fee, which means they don't get paid until you do. This is common with disability cases and personal injury cases, but some lawyers still charge a retainer fee to handle your case.

3. Are You Familiar With the Judges in My County?

Just because you hire an attorney who works in your area doesn't mean the law firm has experience handling cases there. This topic often gets overlooked when people prepare questions to ask a lawyer, but it can be a critical question.

Relationships matter in the legal world, so you may find it beneficial to work with a lawyer who knows the judges or prosecutors in your county. This can help a law firm adequately prepare for court dates and also offer insight into the potential outcome of your case, such as whether you have a shot at getting probation for felony charges.

More Related Articles:

• When Do You Need a Lawyer? Determine If You Need to Hire an Attorney
• What Is a Class-Action Lawsuit?
• What Is a Misdemeanor?
• What to Do After a Car Accident
• What Is Power of Attorney?

4. Who Will Handle My Case?

When you meet a lawyer at a large law firm, you may not be meeting your lawyer. The firm may have you meet with another team member, such as a lawyer who handles similar cases or a paralegal. Ask who will handle your case — and whether it may be more than one person — to prevent future misunderstandings.

5. What Is the Most Likely Outcome of My Case?

An ethical lawyer can't promise a specific outcome, so be wary of law firms that say you'll win your case. However, inquiring about potential outcomes is one of the key questions to ask when looking for a lawyer. Your lawyer can let you know important things, such as:

• Whether the judge often rules a certain way
• How the law impacts your outcome
• What you can do to improve your outcome

That way, you can decide how to proceed after your consultation.

Other Questions to Ask a Lawyer Before Hiring Them

After reading the info above, you should know what to ask a lawyer before letting them take your case. However, you may also want to ask a few other questions, such as:

• Do you accept payment plans?
• How long do you expect this case to take?
• When can we get started?

Working with the right lawyer can make legal matters less overwhelming. Make sure you bring a list of important questions to your consultation so you can make an educated decision.