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Most of us, at one time or another, need to seek legal advice.This web page is intended to provide general information to help you answer some basic questions about the process of choosing and working with an attorney.This publication is not equivalent to legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Anyspecific questions concerning your legal rights should be presented to an attorney.
Do I Need an Attorney?
There are many reasons for getting an attorney’s opinion on how to handle a particular problem (legal advice) and/or hiring an attorney to act on your behalf (representation). Buying or selling real estate, divorce, unfair treatment in employment matters, personal injury suits and criminal proceedings are some examples of events which may require you to request the services of an attorney. If you are in doubt about whether you need an attorney, you should call one (or several) for a consultation.
How Do I Find an Attorney?
By calling 850-308-5053 ext 8 or E-mail here. There is no charge of fees to call the Referral Service provided by Gungho City. When requesting an attorney, be specific about the type of case you have so that you can be referred to an attorney who has experience with problems similar to yours. An attorney who primarily handles real estate closings or criminal cases may not have the experience and expertise to handle a complicated child custody dispute.
What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring an Attorney?
After you have a list of attorneys, you should interview them to decide which one you would like to handle
your case. This interview takes place at an initial consultation. A consultation is not necessarily the time
when your legal problems are solved, but the time to assess your legal problems and to determine if this is
the attorney you would like to have advise or represent you. Some attorneys provide a free initial
consultation while others charge their regular fee or a reduced hourly fee. Find out what the charge will be when you call to make the appointment. You have no obligation to hire an attorney you consult with, souse the consultation time to decide if you can communicate with her/him. It is okay to talk to a few
attorneys before hiring one to represent you. You should look for someone who you feel will give you
good, effective representation.
Some administrative questions you may want to ask the attorney at your initial consultation are:
• “Is legal action necessary in this kind of case?”
• “Do you often handle cases like mine?” (The more complex your case, the more likely you will need
an attorney who has expertise in that area of law.)
• “Will you be handling my case personally? If not, what kind of work will you be doing and who in
your office will be doing the rest (i.e., paralegals, associates, etc.)?”
• “How available are you for meetings and phone calls?” You want to find out if you can meet or talk
on the phone with your attorney or the person handling your case at convenient times.
• “Will you use a paralegal and standardized forms in my kind of case, and if so, will that mean lower
fees for me?”
• “How do you handle fees?” Ask about fees and get a written estimate including:
• the charges
• the services that are included
• how extra fees will be assessed
• how you will be billed
At this initial consultation, the attorney needs to learn enough information about your situation to determine whether he or she can help you, or refer you to someone with more expertise. Since the initial consult may only be one-half hour long, you want to give the attorney the most important details about your problem so he or she can help prioritize your legal needs.
DO write down your story for yourself in your own words before your meeting to organize your thoughts;
DO bring copies of documents, receipts, letters, etc., that may affect your case;
DO feel comfortable discussing your story;
DO give your attorney names and dates so the attorney has an idea of who is involved and when your legal problems started;
DO give clear answers to the attorney’s questions; the attorney knows which questions to ask to narrow
your legal issues and help you;
DO tell the truth even if you think some details may hurt your case.
DON’T exaggerate the facts or details;
DON’T become too emotional - it’s okay to let the attorney know how upset, confused or angry you are,
but use this meeting to give the attorney the facts of your case so you can start getting the help you need;
DON’T hesitate to call other attorneys for consultation until you find one you feel comfortable with.
How Are Attorney’s Fees Determined?
All fee arrangements should be in writing and settled at the beginning of your client/attorney relationship.
The actual expenses charged to you can be divided into two parts:
Attorney Fees — You are paying for the attorney’s time and expertise. This fee will vary according to the
attorney’s experience (number of years practicing law, number of cases handled, reputation in the
community, etc.).
Costs — The client is responsible for costs such as court filing fees, sheriff’s bills for serving papers,
transcripts of court proceedings, discovery expenses and expert witnesses. You should ask for an estimate of both the attorney fees and the costs with an understanding that often these cannot be precisely determined in advance. There are a number of ways for attorney fees to be determined depending upon the type of case and the agreement:
Hourly Rate — Many attorneys charge clients a basic hourly rate which can run from $75 to $250 or more per hour. Your attorney should charge a reduced fee per hour for work performed by a paralegal or legal assistant.
Contingency Fees — In some cases (e.g., personal injury and other cases seeking monetary damages), the attorney receives a share of the settlement, usually one-third of the money awarded. If an attorney works on a contingency fee basis, you should not be required to pay for the hours she/he works. However, you will be asked to pay costs, which may be substantial. A contingency fee should not be charged in a domestic relations (i.e., divorce) case. Note: The Connecticut Code of Professional Responsibility, Section 1.5 (c), requires that contingent fee arrangements be written up in a contract.
Flat Fee — For many simple cases and services such as wills, some divorces, and real estate closings,
attorneys will charge a fixed amount. You should get a written statement detailing exactly what services
and costs are covered by the flat fee. You should also obtain a written statement that says that you will be notified in advance if unexpected complications develop that will result in greater expense. Then you can decide with your attorney how you want to proceed.
Sliding Fee Scale — Some attorneys are willing to charge according to their client’s income. For people
with low incomes, some attorneys will charge less than their regular fees.
How Can I Ensure an Effective Client/Attorney Relationship?
The most important factor in choosing an attorney is finding one with whom you can have an effective and
comfortable client/attorney relationship. It is important to discuss with the attorney in advance the kind of
working relationship you both would like to have.
Be clear that you expect to be involved in your case and that you want to know if she/he is open to
answering your questions and explaining legal matters in a way that you can understand. Most cases eventually settle; very few cases go to trial. You, not your attorney, are responsible for deciding whether to accept a settlement or reject it, although you should want your attorney’s advice about this. You and your attorney should agree that you will be informed of all settlement offers. You need to feel that you can be open with all the facts that are relevant to your case. Your attorney is ethically bound to protect the confidentiality of all communications between you and her/him unless you authorize her/him to reveal these communications.
Remember, your attorney is working for you, but by making your working arrangements clear in the
beginning, you can help ensure an effective working relationship.
Get a Referral Today!
No Charge!
850-308-5053 Ext 8
(or)
E-Mail us Here!
(Please make sure you specify what type of attorney you are looking for)
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