Whether or not your lawyer is a specialist in divorce, you should expect any lawyer to:
• provide you with a clear understanding of how you will be billed and what costs to expect, including retainer, court costs, expert witness fees, and other expenses
• provide you with copies of all documents related to your case
• maintain detailed time records and send you accurate and understandable bills
• return your phone calls promptly
• explain your rights and how he or she will go about securing them for you
• keep you up to date on settlement negotiations, and
• put significant effort into trying to settle your case out of court and, if that is not possible, prepare your case-and you-for trial.
Remember, communication is a two-way street. Just as your attorney should provide you information, you must provide complete and honest information to your attorney. This includes filling out requested forms and gathering requested documents. If your attorney has incomplete or inaccurate information, the advice you receive may be inappropriate for your particular circumstances.
Do not be concerned if your attorney is friendly with the opposing counsel. In fact, this often works to your advantage. Even if the attorneys are friends, they will each work for their client’s interest. Attorneys who cooperate with each other are better able to negotiate and settle out of court, which will result in lower legal fees.
In addition, if the attorneys are enemies and drawn into an emotional fight, the end result will be higher fees and a lower quality of representation for you. An attorney in such a situation will not be able to focus clearly and objectively on the facts of your case.
By: Joqtan Anicama
Posts Tagged ‘Attorneys’
Tips on Working With Your Divorce Lawyer
June 18th, 2010How to Obtain a Legal Aid Lawyer
June 16th, 2010
Across the country, programs are being established to help persons who need legal assistance obtain the services of a legal aid lawyer at no cost. There are definite criteria that one has to meet in order to obtain legal services without the obligation to pay. Here are some of the general conditions one has to meet in order to obtain the help of an attorney who offers free legal aid.
One of the first things you have to do is locate programs that provide this sort of legal aid. There are several ways you can check for available programs in your area. Online, you can check the web site of the local chapter of the state’s legal or attorney association. Often, there will be a section on legal aid there, including a list of attorneys who participate in the programs operating in different parts of the state. Locating your city and seeing which programs or attorneys offer free legal aid will provide you with a list of people to contact.
Second, you may also check for lists of attorneys that provide free legal aid at your local courthouse. These lists are usually available at no charge, so you can pick one up and begin to make some phone calls or drop by the offices listed. Usually someone at the office can provide you with basic of the qualifications you have to meet and also give you an application for the program.
Often, as part of qualifying for the services of a legal aid lawyer, you will need to be able to demonstrate your need. This will mean supplying details about how much you make, perhaps by turning in a recent pay stub. If you have outstanding debts, be able to document the current state of those accounts. Also be able to provide what you have to pay in the way of rent or house payments, estimates on food and utilities, and any other regular expenditures that have to be paid out of your net pay. The point is to make sure that persons who genuinely need the help are processed quickly and receive the support they need, and persons who are in fact able to pay but just don’t want to do so will not get into the programs.
As part of the process for obtaining the help of a legal aid lawyer, you will need to fill out an application form, which will accompany the documentation that is required by the program. From there, you will be interviewed, often at least twice. The first interview usually occurs around the time you submit your application, and the second will be after the information you have submitted has been verified. At that point, you will usually learn if you have been accepted into the program or not.
By: James Woodley
Selecting a Bankruptcy Lawyer
June 7th, 2010
One of the many road bumps in life – filing for bankruptcy. The process and aftermath of filing for bankruptcy can take a huge toll on anybody who is involved. Needless to say, it is strenuous on the individuals involved, both emotionally, and financially. For those considering filing for bankruptcy, or already in the process, it is vital to have a good bankruptcy lawyer. Why? Having a good bankruptcy lawyer will improve your case, your financial standing, and in turn, your (or your families) well being.
It is not very hard to find the right bankruptcy lawyer. You need to start off by making a list of possible laywers for your case. Ask around – friends, family, coworkers, and so on. Chances are, you know at least one person that has filed for bankruptcy. You may hear some good stories about certain lawyers – and in that case, you can consider working with that lawyer. On the other hand, you may hear some negative stories – and in that case, you can stay away from that lawyer.
There are several resources available online that can help you look for attorneys where you live, and also narrowing down with more specific queries. Many bankruptcy lawyers even have their own websites with their history, areas of expertise, and so on.
When you feel you have a decent number of possible lawyers, you need to begin narrowing down. Many bankruptcy lawyers offer free consultations. You can contact the lawyers and ask them any questions you have. Having a good feeling about the lawyer you are going with is important. When you talk to them, it is important to take note of how exactly you feel when talking to this lawyer. Confident? Not so confident? It is important to pick a bankruptcy lawyer which you feel confident with. Furthermore, you need to find out how much this lawyer will charge for your specific case. Cost is an important factor for many.
Once you have talked with the lawyers on the phone, it is time for a face to face consultation. This is a good time to see how you feel about this lawyer, most important your confidence level. Have a good list of questions that you will ask the lawyer, and touch on all of them during the conversation. It is important to see how experienced the lawyer is, what their winning percentage is, and what their plan would be for your case.
By: Ben C Hoss