Most people will need to access legal services at some point in life, whether in relation to a real estate transaction, divorce, business deal, or probate proceedings.
Finding the right lawyer for your needs can be daunting if you have never faced a legal issue before and are unfamiliar with the world of lawyers, courts and legal documents. To make matters worse, there are many lawyers out there, and unfortunately quite a few bad apples among them. To help you achieve peace of mind in choosing your lawyer, we’ve set out the key factors you should consider when engaging legal services.
What Legal Issue Are You Facing?
The kind of legal services you need will depend on who you are and what kind of legal issues you are likely to face during your lifetime. If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner, for example, you’re going to need legal assistance in both your personal and professional life. If you’re building a real estate portfolio, you’ll need a trustworthy real estate attorney and title insurance provider by your side. If you’re an employee in someone else’s company and don’t own much property other than your own home, you’re likely to need legal advice only in relation to family law and estate planning matters.
When you’re considering who to hire to be your legal representative over the long-term, finding someone who you feel comfortable with is key. This will be the person who helps you navigate tough business decisions or will advise you on estate planning matters as your life circumstances change, so you want to choose someone who you feel you can build a strong relationship with over time. However, there are also times in life when the unexpected occurs and you require assistance outside the usual legal realms of family and business law. For example, you may be involved in a motor vehicle accident and need the assistance of a personal injury attorney, or land in financial difficulty and find yourself facing foreclosure proceedings. In these kinds of scenarios, your main priority should be to choose an attorney who has the skills and experience relevant to the particular legal emergency you’re dealing with.
What Structure Of Legal Services Will Suit You Best?
Something that you might not have thought about yet is the structure you want your legal services to take. Some people – especially business owners – prefer to hire a lawyer on retainer. A retainer is an amount of money that you pay to a lawyer or firm upfront to initiate the attorney-client relationship. However, there are different kinds of retainers that serve different purposes. Some retainers – such as security or advance payment retainers – are simply a way to pay for legal assistance in advance, based on an estimate of how much time is likely to be spent on the matter. Another type of retainer is a general retainer. This is when you pay a fee to reserve an attorney’s time. For example, a business owner may choose to hire an attorney ‘on retainer’ so that they can be called upon at any time, as the need arises. The actual services rendered will still need to be paid for separately.
Most people won’t need to structure their legal services using a general retainer, and will only pay for legal fees as and when they need to hire an attorney. However, it is fairly common for attorneys to request a deposit from individual clients before opening a file, which is then offset against any fees later incurred.
Where To Start In Your Search For Legal Services
Once you’ve given some thought to the kind of services you’re likely to need, you can begin searching for a lawyer. There are many ways you can go about this, but it’s best to use a combination of search methods. Start by asking friends, family, colleagues and business associates for recommendations – nothing will give you greater peace of mind than hiring a lawyer who has been recommended to you by a friend you trust.
However, every person’s interpersonal style is different, so you should also consult online lawyer review platforms and databases to see if other people have also had positive experiences with the lawyer recommended to you. It’s also a good idea to visit the websites of law firms in your area, as many law firms post testimonials from previous clients on their websites. A law firm’s website should also give you a clear understanding of the firm’s size, practice areas and professional approach.
Another way to look for a lawyer is to use a lawyer referral service. The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service to help people access legal professionals who have the experience to meet their particular needs. Many lawyers offer low-cost initial consultations to help you determine if they would be a good fit. This is an excellent way to get a first-hand impression of a lawyer and see if your personalities will work well together.
How To Choose The Right Lawyer For Your Needs
Once you’ve spent some time searching for a lawyer online and through word of mouth, it’s a good idea to narrow down your options and create a ‘short list’ of attorneys you’d like to meet. If you have the time to do so, meeting with two or three attorneys before you decide who to hire is advisable. This will allow you to compare their rates, experience and interpersonal styles and allow you to make an informed decision. It’s important to keep the following factors in mind when making your final choice.
Experience And Track Record
Probably the most important factor you need to consider is your prospective lawyer’s experience. It is vital that they have in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the area of law you need assistance with, and a track record of cases or client testimonials to prove it. You should also confirm that they are properly qualified and listed with the Florida Bar – the last thing you want is to be duped into hiring a ‘lawyer’ who hasn’t got a valid bar license!
Cost And Fee Structure
It’s important to be upfront about fees. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the lawyer’s hourly rates, how much time they are likely to spend on your matter, and whether they require a deposit. Legal fees can rack up quickly, even in smaller disputes, and it’s crucial that you have a sense of how much you’re likely to spend before you hire an attorney. Remember that the complexity of your legal matter will dictate the kind of lawyer you’ll need – it is entirely unnecessary to hire an expensive corporate law firm when all you need is assistance with a straightforward sale of a small business, for example.
Communication Style And Professional Approach
Lastly, you should evaluate your prospective legal services provider on their interpersonal style and professional approach. Do you feel comfortable talking to them and asking questions? Especially when hiring someone to assist you with estate planning, it is vital that you feel comfortable discussing your family circumstances and financial position with them. They will be your trusted advisor for some of life’s most important decisions, so make sure that they are patient and compassionate and demonstrate excellent judgment.
You also want to be sure that you are hiring a lawyer who is reliable, communicative and organized. Are they responsive and quick to get back to you when you request a consultation? When you visit their offices, does the practice seem organized and well-run? Do they have a good team of support staff assisting them? Organizational efficiency and reliability is key in the delivery of excellent legal services, so this is a criterion you want to be sure is met.
Exceptional Legal Services In Coral Springs, FL
At the Law Offices of Gary I. Handin, P.A., we pride ourselves on being a trusted legal services provider to countless clients in Coral Springs. We have a reputation for providing meticulous and accurate legal advice and exceptional client service. Our lead attorney has spent over fifty years in legal practice, and has a wealth of experience under his belt, ranging from estate planning and probate to business law, real estate law and foreclosure defense. Contact us at 1-877-815-4560 to arrange your first consultation or find out more about our areas of expertise.