| Although most of life's problems can be | | | | - you'd be surprised at how different success |
| resolved reasonably easily, there will be | | | | rates can vary depending on the lawyer's |
| times when you will need more expertise and | | | | education and mentoring. Also, ask what |
| legal advice. Should this occasion arise, and | | | | certifications your potential lawyer has |
| you need to make use of the services of a | | | | possibly achieved since graduating. |
| lawyer, there are 5 things you should make | | | | |
| sure you find out before hiring your lawyer. | | | | Fees - with the cost of hiring a good lawyer |
| Not only will this hopefully give you a head | | | | often fairly expensive, it's wise to confirm |
| start on the opposition, but save you costly | | | | beforehand how you will be charged for your |
| expenses too. | | | | lawyer's services. There are many ways this |
| | | | can be done, but the two most popular are |
| Experience - have they the relevant | | | | hourly rates and daily flat rates. This can |
| experience to your case? Although this might | | | | make a huge difference to the cost of your |
| seem obvious, you'd be surprised with the | | | | case - with even the lowest of rates at |
| number of people that have hired a lawyer who | | | | lesser-known firms beginning at $75 per hour, |
| mainly deals with Family Law to help with a | | | | you can see how expensive it may get. |
| Criminal Damage compensation claim. Knowing | | | | |
| that you have an expert if the field of your | | | | Confidence - although it's unlikely that any |
| particular dispute increases your chances of | | | | lawyer will ever win 100% of their cases, a |
| success greatly. | | | | good lawyer will always show confidence in |
| | | | both their skills and your case. If you |
| References - what kind of track record does | | | | discuss your case and your lawyer advises to |
| your lawyer have? Once again, although it may | | | | 'wait and see' what your opponent does first, |
| seem fairly obvious, a lawyer that has | | | | this isn't the sign of a good, pro-active |
| experienced success in the field of your | | | | lawyer who will do everything that needs to |
| particular dispute will probably bring the | | | | be done for you. If they come up with a plan |
| same success to you. Ask for any references | | | | that instills genuine confidence, this is |
| or testimonials from previous clients - if | | | | half the battle won. |
| successful, the lawyer will not be reticent | | | | |
| to share the details. | | | | Although the very fact you need the services |
| | | | of a lawyer in the first place usually spells |
| Qualifications - although every lawyer has to | | | | bad news, as long as you make some inquiries |
| study long and hard before he or she can | | | | into knowing whether you can get the best |
| become qualified, there are some law schools | | | | available for your needs and pocket, you |
| and courses that are better than others. Ask | | | | should feel safer in the knowledge that at |
| your lawyer where they graduated from, and | | | | least you have a better chance of success |
| compare their law school or course to others | | | | than before. |