Step1
Shop around for an attorney. Get the advice of family and friends. Call the bar association and ask for their recommendations. Take a little poll among those you work with. Although this isn’t always foolproof, it does help to narrow the field. Make sure that if you need a lawyer specializing in a particular area of law you mention that.
Step2
Call and ask about a consultation after you’ve chosen a lawyer. Many lawyers offer these free but others do not, so ask first. Tell them your situation and ask if this is their area. If you can see them without cost, go and visit. Talk to them but don’t sign a retainer agreement with anyone until you are comfortable with them and you have read and understood the contract’s terms and conditions. They should be willing to explain whatever you don’t understand. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Keep in mind that you are hiring someone to work for you.
Step3
Know what you’ll be charged. Find out what a consultation visit costs. Does your lawyer charge by the hour or does he or she work for a percentage of the settlement? What extra charges may be incurred? You have the right to know the price up front. In some cases, this can’t be exact, so ask for a range. Ask about proposed rates, minimum fees and retainer fees. Make sure you understand when and how you’ll have to pay them. Ask if other attorneys or staff persons will be working on your case and what they’ll cost as well. If you pay a retainer, you should ask how it’s being spent and how much is left to your credit. How much is a phone consult? Is there a missed appointment fee?
Step4
Know that you’re under no obligation to sign over your right to dispute a legal bill (so don’t stick with an attorney who asks you to do this). Don’t sign a lien or a mortgage on your house for legal fees. Make sure you make financial arrangements you can live with.
Step5
Take charge of what you can. Prepare a detailed outline of the information your lawyer needs to have. If there’s an event—an accident or criminal charge, for example—write down as much as you can in chronological order. Put in contact information for all persons involved, if you can. The more information you can give, the less research and groundwork will need to be paid for.
Step6
Bring in whatever paperwork or information your lawyer needs immediately. Often he or she can’t proceed without those documents, so making sure he or she has what he or she needs from you will speed up everything and help defray costs.
Step7
Never miss an appointment without a valid reason and as much notice as possible. Some lawyers will charge for missed appointments without sufficient notice. Ask about this when you talk to him or her on your initial visit.
Step8
Don’t be afraid to ask if there’s some way to keep costs as low as possible. Ask about payment plans as well. If they work things out with clients financially, he or she will probably tell you to talk to a particular person about financial costs and arrangements. This isn’t a brush-off, as many lawyers pay others to deal with the financial details so they don’t have to.
Step9
Check on the progress of your case. This is a reasonable thing to do, but resist overdoing it. Calling every day comes across as rude and demanding. Calling once a week for an update is usually enough. If office personnel can give you the information, don’t insist on speaking to the lawyer. He or she will not have your records in his or her hand and will probably not have as much information as the person you spoke to.
Step10
Be proactive. Keep up with what’s going on. Call once a week and if you need to see your lawyer, make an appointment, but realize that phone consultations are much cheaper than office visits. By taking charge of all that’s in your responsibility, you should get the best counsel at the lowest cost.
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