When you need to meet with a lawyer, you might be a bit intimidated. After all, we don’t usually need legal advice or assistance when things are going well, and lawyers are known for being serious about their work.
If you’re visiting with a lawyer, you’re probably facing some trouble. Maybe you’re going through a divorce and need a divorce lawyer, or you’ve been injured in an accident. Perhaps someone is suing you.
The good news is that before you hire a lawyer you can meet with them for a free lawyer consultation. How can you make the most of this meeting? Here’s what you need to know.
Meet With the Right Attorney
Lawyers aren’t all the same. Each one will specialize in different types of legal cases. A family lawyer is who you will visit with for divorce, separation, child custody, and similar issues.
On the other hand, an accident attorney will help you if you have been injured and want to pursue compensation. These lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies and can navigate liability issues easily.
A defense attorney will help you defend yourself if you’ve been charged with a crime. Perhaps you’re facing a DUI charge or have been accused of theft. A defense attorney can help you sort out the case’s details and decide on the best way to move forward.
Other lawyer specialties include defending you from a liability lawsuit, handling bankruptcy, workers’ compensation, and even estate planning. You might need a real estate lawyer or a car accident lawyer.
Make sure you choose the right lawyer for your needs!
Provide Details of the Case
Once you have the right type of lawyer, it’s time to let them know what you’re facing. Sometimes it’s pretty straightforward, but even if you’re going through a divorce or bankruptcy, the lawyer will want to know specifics.
An attorney generally knows what questions to ask to get to the bottom of things, but make sure you know what documents to bring to the initial consultation. This is especially important if you’ve been injured — medical documentation helps support your claims.
You’ll need to explain to the lawyer what is going on and what you need them to do. They’ll be able to provide strategies and ideas on how to approach the case.
Ask the Right Questions
You’ll need to ask the lawyer questions as well. Legal services cost a lot of money, and you want to make sure you’re making the right decision.
Find out how much experience they have with cases like yours. Also, ask if they’ll be handling the matter themselves or if an aide will take over. There’s no sense in hiring a lawyer you like only to discover you’re not actually working with them!
Finally, ask what the process is for communicating with the attorney. How do you ask questions and get updates? How often can you expect to hear from them?
You’ll want to get an overall feel as to whether your case is important to them and whether they are friendly, good communicators. If you don’t have a good vibe, move on to another attorney.
Prepare For Your Lawyer Consultation
Needing legal advice or services isn’t usually on a list of fun things to do. However, when you make the most of your lawyer consultation, you can get the right attorney for your needs.
Hopefully, this article will help you find the right lawyer. Interested in other lifestyle content? Check out the rest of our blog today!
