Free General Legal FAQs | Free General Legal Legal FAQs

What Is A Retainer Agreement?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:31 GMT

A retainer agreement with a lawyer is like a down payment, it can be used to guarantee that the lawyer will be readily available to work on your particular case, which could mean that they would have to turn down other cases in order to remain available for you. As a result, you will probably be billed at a higher rate for the legal work that is done. If the fee agreement states that the retainer is not refundable, you may not be able to get your money back, even if the lawyer does not handle your case or complete the work.

What Does A Flat Fee Agreement With An Attorney Cover?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:32 GMT

A flat fee is used most often by legal clinics and some law firms or lawyers for routine legal matters, like drawing up a simple will or handling an uncontested divorce. When you agree to a fixed fee, be sure that you know what it does and does not include. You also should find out if any other charges might be added later on such as court costs or office expenses.

What Is A Contingency Fee Agreement?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:33 GMT

In a contingency fee agreement the client is not charged an up front fee but agrees to give the lawyer a certain percentage of the money received if you win or settle your case out of court. If you lose, the lawyer does not receive a fee but you may still have to pay any court costs and other expenses that are involved. Depending on the circumstances, these costs can be quite high. In some cases, the lawyer may use the money you receive from the case to pay some of these additional costs for you when they are due. Be sure your contingency agreement spells out the percentage the lawyer will get, including if there is a difference between if it is settled or if the case goes to trial. Also, get an estimate of the court costs and other expenses, and find out whether the lawyer's share is paid after the other expenses are deducted or before, it can make a big difference in the amount you receive from the settlement. Some states do not allow contingency fee agreements in certain areas, such as divorce or criminal defense.

Is An Initial Consultation With A Lawyer Confidential?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:34 GMT

Yes. Many lawyers provide free initial consultations to determine if the client has a case and for the client to determine if they want to hire the lawyer. Even if you do not end up hiring the lawyer everything you discussed during an initial consultation with a lawyer is confidential. This means the lawyer cannot discuss it with anyone else.

When Hiring A Lawyer Should I Consider The Lawyers Age?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:35 GMT

Decide based on how well you feel the lawyer can handle your case, rather than being concerned about their age. Just remember that even though a lawyer may have been in practice for 15 or 20 years, they may not have as much experience with your particular type of situation as one who has more recently graduated from law school.

What Questions Are Important To Ask A Prospective Attorney?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:36 GMT

Some of the things you may want to ask the lawyer when you talk over the phone or meet include:
How much experience do you have with legal issues similar to mine?
How recently have you handled a case like mine?
How was it resolved? (Went to trial, settled out of court, etc.)
What was the result? (Did you win the case? Did you lose?)
What type of fee do you charge?
Will you or an assistant do most of the work on my case?
Do you regularly communicate with your clients?