Category: Legal

Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

Accidents happen all the time— in the car, at work, while shopping at the grocery store. They can range from being as minor as little spills, to being in a serious car crash.

Obviously, not every accident calls for taking legal action. Even minor car accidents like dents, scratches and fender benders won’t always necessitate filing a claim as long as nobody involved is injured in any major physical, mental or financial capacity.

But when an accident does result in serious health and monetary issues, those injured may have to sue in order to receive a fair settlement from an insurance company or the responsible party. In this scenario, DMV.org pinpoints three main benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you:

Knowledge of Personal Injury Laws

Becoming familiar with personal injury laws is complicated for a number of reasons: For one, they can vary by state, county, and municipality. Second, the legal guidelines for making a personal injury claim differ based on the type of injury that occurred. For instance, establishing liability in a dog bite case is nothing like determining fault in a car accident, and the statute of limitations is longer in cases involving fraud compared to product liability. In other words, different types of injury lawsuits have different rules that apply to them.

Most importantly, knowledgeable attorneys are able to decipher which laws pertain to your particular case and calculate how much compensation you are entitled to. Sure, you can look up the laws for your specific injury in your state, but only a personal injury expert will be able to translate these laws into applicable parameters for your case.

Negotiating for Just Compensation

Many personal injury cases can be resolved outside of court. If both parties involved in a legal dispute can agree on a settlement amount, then the cost and effort of bringing a case in front a judge can be avoided altogether. This is a popular course of action with insurance companies, who will often automatically lower their settlement offer to plaintiffs who do not have an attorney representing them.

For this reason, it is important to hire a personal injury attorney prior to engaging in settlement negations in order to get the full amount of compensation possible. An experienced attorney uses both their in-depth knowledge of personal injury law and their position to get you fair compensation.

Fair Representation in Court

In the event that settlement negotiations break down, it is the job of a personal injury attorney to fight for fair compensation on behalf of their client in front of a judge. Hiring a lawyer with extensive trial experience not only tends to increase settlement amounts, it also makes sure plaintiffs have the representation necessary to seek payment for damages in a court of law.

Most attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they charge a percentage of the final settlement amount. Therefore, you only pay if they win your case. Each lawyer’s percentage of legal fees is different so that is something you will have to ask during your initial consultation.

Tips for Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Hiring a lawyer when you or a loved one has suffered from an injury can be daunting and complicated. You do not know much about the law or lawyers, and figuring out where to even start can be difficult. Below you will find tips to help you on your search for the best lawyer to handle your case.

1. Communication

When working with a lawyer, communication is crucial for several reasons.

• You want to ensure that your lawyer is a good communicator because that is precisely what you are hiring him/her to do: communicate your case to a judge, jury or another attorney while using the law to argue for an outcome in your favor.
• You need to understand how often your lawyer will communicate to you the details of your case; staying informed is important. Your lawyer will communicate with you about how your case is progressing, how long it should take and how much it should cost.
• Be sure to choose a lawyer who is willing to spend time with you to learn your case, inside and out. This shows dedication, thoroughness and professionalism.

2. Cost

Your first conversation with an attorney should address your fees and costs with clarity.

3. Experience

Serious legal matters require experienced attorneys. Experience can be measured in many ways. You should certainly ask any attorney how many years of experience, and in what types of cases, he or she has. But you also want to know not just about the individual attorney but the law firm it self.

4. Expertise

Is your potential lawyer an expert in a particular area of personal injury law? Do other lawyers refer their clients to him/her because of that expertise? All personal injury lawyers do not handle every type of P.I. case. Look for an attorney with experience and an intricate understanding of the law for your specific type of case.

5. Lawyer-client relationship dynamic

Know what your relationship will be like with your lawyer. Ask a potential lawyer what your working relationship will be. Certainly, you should meet with and work with the lawyer, not a staff member or assistant. The lawyer-client relationship must be based on trust and understanding. If you will be working with staff members, you cannot develop a successful lawyer-client relationship.

Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer

Choosing to file a personal injury claim is a big decision – and one that should never be taken lightly.

The outcome for victims can be enormous in terms of both financial compensation and their resulting quality of life. And while the litigation process can be an intense, emotionally charged experience – with those affected wanting compensation right away – it’s important to remain calm and think strategically about how to achieve the best outcome for your case.

One of the most important steps in the process is in choosing the right personal injury attorney to work with. Unfortunately, many people think that all lawyers are the same and that any seemingly qualified individual will due. In reality, however, nothing could be further from the truth.

Selecting the right attorney can make all the difference between having a satisfying outcome to your case or merely heaps of frustration and regret instead. Here are a few elements to consider when deciding on who to partner with.

Do They Have Experience with Personal Injury Cases?

Just like with any other profession, working with attorneys who specialize in a particular area of law generally leads to better results. Be sure the lawyer(s) you approach have actual experience in handling personal injury litigation cases.

Be warned, some may say they handle these types of cases, but don’t just take their word for it. Ask for specifics:

How many personal injury cases have they handled? How do they approach their work?

Which cases were similar to yours?

What were the outcomes (wins vs. losses, compensation, etc.)?

Although each case is unique, and past performance is never a guarantee of future results, a strong track record in comparable cases is often a good place to start.

Who Exactly Will Be Handling Your Case?

As strange as it may sound, the attorney you initially consult with may not be the same person that manages your claim. This holds especially true in many larger firms where senior partners intake clients but hand them off to junior attorneys afterward.

While the majority of paralegals and junior lawyers are well-qualified to handle routine tasks, it’s comforting to know seasoned professionals are the ones actually in charge of your case. It’s also nice to have a single point of contact for questions that may arise as the situation unfolds.

How Much Are Clients Expected To Participate?

Everyone would like to think that they can just file a claim, put their feet up and wait for a check to arrive – but that’s simply not reality. Good injury attorneys make it a point to get to know their clients and expect them to actively participate in their case as well.

Any lawyer who tells you that your input is not needed or required is someone you should avoid. After all, the best outcomes require hard work from everyone involved – yourself included.

When Will You Start Working On My Case?

Some injury attorneys have a bad habit of signing up clients but then letting their cases sit until the last possible minute. Why? So they can work on other claims until right before the statute of limitations runs out.

While this delay tactic is standard practice for many in the industry, it’s just not a good way to do business. Acting on cases quickly helps to preserve evidence, mount a stronger defense and increases leverage when it comes time for negotiations.

Keep in mind that medical bills, lost wages and other debts will continue to mount while you’re waiting to get underway. So make sure you have a clear understanding of what to expect timewise throughout the process.

How Much Are My Injuries Worth?

Granted, even the most experienced attorney won’t be able to give you an exact dollar amount for your injuries, but they should be able to provide a reasonable ballpark estimate. Even better, ask them to include examples from similar cases they’ve handled in the past.

On the other hand, anyone who promises you a specific dollar amount from the get-go should be red-flagged. There are just too many variables involved for anyone to be certain of a final settlement. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What Resources Do You Have Available to Put Towards My Case?

Some lawyers care about profit more than people. They may take on more cases than they can competently handle, save money by not hiring staff, or be reluctant to spend money on experts’ fees. This is not who you want to take your case.

Instead, you want a lawyer who has the resources necessary to thoroughly investigate your case, build your claim, negotiate your settlement, and litigate on your behalf if necessary.

How Long Will My Case Take to Resolve?

It’s wise to ask how long the lawyer expects your case to settle, and how much the lawyer expects you will receive. This is helpful for two primary reasons: First, it gives you a ballpark idea of how much time and energy you will need to devote to the case, as well as what you’ll get out of it.

Of course, there is no guarantee of a timeline, but if the attorney doesn’t want to answer the question, then they may not have much experience.

An experienced attorney should be able to give you a rough estimate based on their personal experiences with similar cases. These are important considerations when deciding whether or not you want to move forward with your case at all.

And secondly, the answers to these questions can serve as a red flag – if the attorney promises you’ll receive millions or that your case will be resolved before you know it, you should search for someone else. In either case, keep in mind that such estimates are hard to predict without a full review of all of the evidence of your case.

Benefits to Having a Personal Injury Lawyer Represent You

A personal injury lawyer represents the claim for the impairment of any physical or emotional loss. This lawyer is a legal representative with all the knowledge about rules and regulations. That’s why personal injury lawyers help as much as possible for the preservation of law for a common person.

Factually, the personal injury lawyer reports daily life damages such as car crashes, physical injury from an accident or office injuries. Traffic collision and claiming about the injury is the most common case we can see in such lawyer’s life.

Many times, they are also legal advisors for people who require justice meanwhile we can see these representatives practicing under jurisdiction. For this reason, the injury lawyers first need Legal education and also require to pass ethics papers.

Same as this, personal injury lawyers are also involved in hospital cases for wrong treatments. That’s why they are an important part of the team while making medical consent for complicated treatments and surgeries.

So, it is better to hire a personal injury lawyer who not only represents you, but also supports a lot in getting justice. More benefits include;

Your lawyer will calculate the right compensation amount

When it comes to personal injury cases, a lot goes into determining the value of the claim. A layperson without legal training or experience cannot arrive at the right amount to claim. Your lawyer will consider the present and future medical expenses, your loss of income, and your mental and emotional distress too when valuing your claim.

If your brain injury has caused permanent disability, your lawyer will factor the long-term treatment and loss of income into the compensation amount. Any therapy or treatment that you will need in the present or the future will incur costs and as such will be added into your claim value. These are just a few examples. An experienced personal injury lawyer will study your medical reports and the case from all angles before determining the compensation.

Jurisdiction plays a crucial role when it comes to personal injury cases and claims. Each state has its own laws related to such cases. So, it is important to hire a local lawyer with experience in handling all kinds of personal injury cases. You can search online for personal injury lawyers in your area to know more about them. For instance, use the keyword personal injury lawyers in Dallas to find the websites of leading attorneys in your area. Check them out to know more about the lawyers.

Attorneys Understand the Legal Process

The average person is also fairly unfamiliar with the legal procedures surrounding a personal injury claim. Your attorneys, on the other hand, handle these types of claims every single day. They know which legal documents to file and when, how to properly complete forms, and what the applicable statutes of limitations are. They also know just how the insurance companies try to one-up you on legal technicalities, and they’ll be there to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of. If you attempt to handle the insurance company on your own, there’s a very good chance you could miss out on thousands of dollars from your insurance settlement.

Your Attorney Can Handle all the Dirty Work

Waging a battle against the insurance company is often an uphill one. Undertaking such a battle on your own is akin to showing up to a duel with no weapons. The truth is, the insurance companies will see you coming from a mile away if you’re alone. They know they have more clout than you in terms of knowledge of the process and bargaining power. In turn, they won’t hesitate to use this against you, handing over the lower settlement possible hoping you’ll take it and go away. Your personal injury attorneys also know this. They will be your weapon: the weapon of knowledge. Let them increase your chances of getting the highest settlement possible.

An Attorney Improves Your Odds

Going against the insurance company is like preparing for battle.  Undertaking such a battle by yourself is tantamount to showing up to fight with no weapons.  No matter how much you prepare yourself, you just won’t be able to put up a strong fight or put your best foot forward. The insurance company knows that it has far more knowledge and bargaining power and will use this to ensure that you get the lowest settlement possible. They will use your unfamiliarity with the claim process to ensure that their interests are protected.  The best weapon that you can garner for yourself is a skilled personal injury attorney who can increase your chances of obtaining a high insurance settlement.

An Attorney Is Motivated to Help You

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis.  This means they will only get paid if you get an insurance settlement.  This is incredibly beneficial to you since you have someone who has experience working against insurance companies, motivated to help you get the highest settlement possible.  In addition, since a personal injury attorney does not get paid unless you do, he will be more prone to settle your claim quickly.  This is why most personal injury attorneys tend to choose cases they think they can win.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Will Go To Court.

Insurance coverage insurance adjusters recognize that if a case goes to court, the insurance company could be forced to pay a whole lot a lot more that they intend to pay. The adjusters likewise know that if you are representing yourself, it will be difficult for you to go to court. They recognize that a personal injury attorney will litigate. For that reason, the insurers need to be a lot more practical in what they use you as settlement for your injuries.

Personal Injury Lawyers Usually Boost The Worth Of A Situation.

Generally for every one of the factors mentioned over, insurance insurers will certainly supply more compensation when a lawyer is representing you. Some people will inform you that the raised compensation quantity is countered by needing to pay a lawyer. So you wind up with the same amount ultimately. Often that holds true, however in a lot of cases, due to his/her knowledge and also experience, a personal injury lawyer will recoup ample for your personal injury asserts to counter the attorney fee.

How to Choose the Right Lawyer

Finding the right lawyer for your needs may seem like an intimidating process, but, as with any other consumer transaction, doing your research is key.

At one point or another, many people find themselves in a situation where they’re in need of the services of a good lawyer. Whether it’s handling a real estate transaction, setting up a business, or dealing with a family law issue, there are a vast number of situations where the experience and expertise of a good lawyer will be necessary.

So, You Need to Find a Lawyer

If you’re looking for a lawyer to help you deal with a legal issue that has emerged in your life, you may be wondering how to find an attorney and how to know if you’re choosing the right lawyer for your particular legal needs.

How to Choose a Lawyer

The first step in the process of choosing the right lawyer, then, is the research phase. Ideally, you want to start with the names of several lawyers, and, as with the purchase of most other services, personal referrals are often the best place to start. Begin compiling your list by asking friends, neighbors, and business associates for recommendations.

How Do You Know If Your Attorney Is Good?

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential attorneys, you can begin the evaluation process. Most lawyers offer a free initial consultation, and, as an informed consumer, you should take full advantage of these.

How to Become a Family Lawyer

Have you ever thought about studying or practising family law? This page tells you what to expect from this incredibly diverse area of law.

What is Family Law?

Family Law focuses on finding solutions to issues relating to often complex legal relationships. These include marriage and parenthood among others. For this reason, family law practice can involve work with varying groups from children to the elderly and any others in between. Because family law relates to some very personal aspects of a client’s life, it can be one of the most emotive areas of law to practice.

Family Law Topics

Family Law is incredibly diverse. This means that the topics studied at one institution are often different from those studied at another.

Most modules will feature some core topics (such as marriage, divorce and children) as well as others which will be more specifically linked to the professors’ areas of expertise.

Examples include:

Divorce, dissolution and financial separation

Children, parentage, residence, contact and parental responsibility. This may also include adoption, surrogacy, child abduction and even abuse/neglect

Children’s Rights (taking into consideration a child’s ability to make their own decisions)

Domestic Abuse

Domestic obligations towards families under International Treaties such as the ECHR

Socio-legal Family Law: a more general look at what society defines family as and whether the law has adequately responded to modern societal views. Examples include the law of parentage in the context of a rise in same-sex couples

Family law and the State. This includes the role of agencies and local authorities in childcare and protection

What makes certain family law attorneys better than others?

Over the years I have gone up against dozens of attorneys in my family law cases. Some of those attorneys have been skilled litigators, while others have been absolute hacks. I have decided to attempt to list the attributes that make a fine divorce attorney.

But, before I begin I want to point out that you do not have to guess at which attorneys are good anymore. With online reviews you can see what past clients say about their attorneys.

Devotion to the Client

I have gone against some attorneys who come out swinging, because they genuinely care about their client and their client’s case. On the other hand, it is apparent to me when opposing counsel is not motivated to fight for their client. When an attorney doesn’t care about their client, they do not fight hard and they generally do not prepare well. An attorney who is genuinely devoted to your case is one of the most important attributes of a good attorney.

Knowledge of the Law

At some point there is just no substitute for knowledge of the law. If an attorney is not knowledgeable about an area of the law that is pertinent to their client’s case, they will be at a disadvantage. Make sure you chose a family law lawyer who knows the law well. I am fortunate in that I learned family law at the feet of my very experienced mother who is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

Courage

There is nothing worse than having a family law attorney who is scared. Some attorneys are scared of the judge, scared of opposing counsel, and scared of being in court. Make sure you hire a family law attorney who is fearless. In my experience a bold attorney often gets better results for their client. When you meet with a family law attorney to hire them, make sure they are bold and exude confidence.

How to Find a Good Lawyer

Choosing a good lawyer is like choosing any other product or service. It’s best to do thorough research to help you make an informed decision. Once you secure several lawyer referrals with expertise in the appropriate practice area, you should carefully research each candidate. Below are some simple steps to choosing the best lawyer for your legal needs.

Conducting Candidate Interviews

One of the best ways to assess a lawyer’s legal ability is by interviewing them. Most attorneys will provide an initial consultation—usually an hour or less—at no charge.

Keep in mind that a higher fee does not necessarily equate with a more qualified attorney. Consequently, a rock bottom fee may signal problems, inexperience, or incompetence.

Consulting the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

The directory includes basic practice profile data on virtually every lawyer in the United States and Canada and detailed professional biographies of leading lawyers and firms in 160 countries. It also includes lawyer and law firm ratings based upon peer reviews, which may help when choosing between two equally qualified candidates.

Asking Other Attorneys

Lawyers know the skill and reputation of other lawyers. Attorneys may be able to provide information about a fellow lawyer that you may not find in a book or online, such as information about a lawyer’s ethics, competence level, demeanor, practice habits, and reputation.

How to Choose a Family Law Attorney

When you have family issues that can’t be resolved on your own, you may need the help of a family law attorney. There are several issues where you want the help of a family lawyer rather than another type of lawyer. It’s important to know what those areas are how to choose a family law attorney.

If your legal issue falls under one of these categories, then a family law attorney can help. They can help to represent your case and help you get the outcome you desire. They can also advise you when your case may not be as strong as you think and when you may want to reach an agreement with the other party rather than seeking the help of the court.

What Does a Family Law Attorney Do?

When you look at the list of areas that a family law attorney can help, it’s important to understand some of the tasks an attorney can do.

Divorce & Child Custody

In divorce proceedings, a family law attorney can help the couple settle their split without going to court. They can do this by acting as a mediator to work through their issues

Prenuptial agreement

A family law attorney can draft this agreement as a couple decides the terms of spousal support and division of property.

How do I find the best lawyer for my DUI charge?

If you have been charged with a DUI offence, including Impaired Driving, Over 80, Refusal, or Care or Control, hiring an effective DUI lawyer is essential to advancing the best possible defence. This is probably the most important decision you will make in defending the case, and it can feel quite daunting. And with so many DUI lawyers to choose from, how can you be sure you’re making the right decision?

Look for a DUI Lawyer with Experience Defending DUI Cases

DUI defence is a highly technical and complicated area of law. It is important to ensure you hire a lawyer with the necessary knowledge and experience in this area in particular. Things to consider when choosing an impaired driving lawyer include their experience, seniority and success rate. It is useful to consider whether your lawyer has a focused practice in criminal law, and impaired driving law in particular.

On this point, you should ask the lawyer for following:

How many DUI cases has the lawyer handled in their career? This will demonstrate their experience with this practice area.

How many DUI cases does the lawyer have on the go at any given time? This will demonstrate how current their experience is, and how focused their practice is on DUI defence.

How many DUI cases does the lawyer win. Success rates often vary between locations, depending on the quality of the police investigations, the prosecutors in the area, and even the composition of the judiciary. Compare their win rate to other lawyers who defend DUI’s in the area, or to statistics on DUI conviction rates.

Look for a DUI Lawyer with a strong focus on DUI’s Beyond just Defending DUI Cases in Court

To ensure the lawyer you are thinking of hiring really knows what he/she is doing, you should review what other involvement the lawyer has with DUI’s beyond just defending clients in court

Look for a DUI Lawyer with Positive Online Reviews

Online reviews are a source of information about a lawyer that is independent of the lawyer.

COST OF A GOOD DUI LAWYER?

Idaho state bar rules will influence how much a DUI attorney will cost, whether you take your case to trial or you want to accept a plea (less expensive) will influence the DUI legal fees. In Boise most DUI attorneys charge anywhere from $1000 to $1,800.00 for a plea. Trial rates may range from $3,000.00 to $25,000.00 depending on the level of your offense and the complexity of your case, evidence examination, etc.

Is it worth it to hire a lawyer for DUI?

This is a difficult question to answer, because the value of a lawyer is dependent on a future outcome not yet determined. (That’s why you want to choose experienced DUI attorneys with a winning record like Boise Advocate) In a recent AVVO survey, 77% of respondents said it was worth hiring a private attorney, plus they found the public defender only saved them about 20% on lawyer costs.

Is it worth going to trial for a DUI?

You are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law; therefore you need to speak to an experienced legal counsel who can examine your case and evidence then advise your best chances of winning.

The TRUE price of a plea deal

Many clients assume that since they were pulled over, took field sobriety tests, or gave a blood or alcohol sample, that there is no way they could be found not guilty at trial. This is simply not true.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DWI LAWYER

Don’t make a mistake in finding a DWI lawyer by not protecting yourself.  This is a stressful situation, where you have to be prepared and make snap decisions that could influence your case. An experienced DUI lawyer can help alleviate the pressure and stress by guiding you towards decisions that are better for your situation.

Often people assume that pleading guilty and getting it over with is the way to go. However, there could be mitigating circumstances like the reliability of the test, the reason for being pulled over, and many more factors that could affect your verdict if you had a proper defense. A lawyer can assess whether pleading guilty or taking the case to court is a better option for you, especially if your case is a complicated one. This can save you a lot of trouble and money in the long run.

Do some research and make a list of lawyers in your area that have experience with DWI cases.  It’s always good to start with options.  If you have the right options to start with, you can choose someone who understands your case.

You can also add to this list lawyers you used for other matters. A lot of them can also handle DUI cases. If you’re not sure, you can give them a call and gauge their comfort level.

Do Your Research

If this is the first time you’ll be working with this lawyer, make sure that they are licensed in your state. If not, they should be hiring a co-counsel to be able to represent you. Truth be told, it’s a lot easier to hire a local attorney. Not only will they be more familiar with the laws of that state, they’ll also know the prosecutors, the judges and the general culture of DUI cases in your area. That’s experience that even the best lawyers out of state don’t have.

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD DUI LAWYER

One of the worst experiences you can ever deal with is being charged with driving under influence in California. The best thing to do in such as a situation is to identify the best attorney to represent you in court. Find out how to select the right DUI LAWYER IN SCOTTSDALE provides from the paragraphs that follow.

EXECUTIVE

You will have to start by finding some of the most qualified attorneys working near you. This usually demands doings lots of research before you can choose whom to hire. You can get information on the experts to consider through conducting an online research.

There are many referral websites that list registered lawyers in each county. Additionally, you can seek recommendations from people you trust such as friends and family

To get the best legal representation, you will have to eliminate the least suitable practitioners. The first thing to look into is the licensing status of all the candidates whose contacts you have gathered. It is advisable to only select people who are permitted to work in your county. This will involve verifying the credentials of each attorney you are about to hire.

Ask the person you want to hire about the number of similar cases they have handled before. An attorney who has represented in tens of cases like yours is likely to provide you with favorable outcome.

Choosing an Aggressive Drunk Driving Lawyer

we know that the Michigan drunk driving attorney you choose will make a difference in whether you experience a positive outcome. It is critical that you choose an aggressive lawyer who is willing to fight hard to protect your legal rights and freedom. Our staff has the skill, experience, and dedicated hands-on approach essential to securing the best possible results for clients charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or other illicit drugs/substances.

Choosing an Aggressive Drunk Driving Attorney in Michigan is a Must

When an individual is accused of or arrested for any criminal offense, he or she is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; this includes drunk driving. Unfortunately, many attorneys focus more on building their client base than providing outstanding legal support and representation, and will simply walk a client through a plea agreement.

A dedicated lawyer who is focused on his client’s best interest will work to have the charge dismissed when possible, or negotiate reduced charges when it is the only option. The attorney you choose must be willing to thoroughly investigate, analyze and challenge evidence, and work toward the client’s desired outcome. Our team of Michigan criminal defense lawyers is diverse; our staff consists of professionals who are experienced and knowledgeable in the criminal process, and who understand how police and prosecutors work. We know the mistakes often made by police, and how to use our knowledge to the benefit of the client.

Ask Questions; Communication is Key in Choosing a Capable, Effective Attorney

Choosing the right attorney is key to the best possible outcome for those facing DUI charges. Most individuals find the legal system confusing at best; your lawyer must give you the personal attention and focus you deserve, answering your questions and explaining the legal process, keeping you updated every step of the way. An effective attorney is one who not only has a vast amount of experience in the field of drunk driving, but who possesses the necessary skills and aggressive approach to your case.

Some of the questions you should ask when determining who will represent you include:

Does the attorney have an extensive legal background and experience to successfully handle my case?

Does the strategy the attorney suggests seem the most appropriate for your situation?

Do I feel comfortable with the attorney’s personality and confident in his/her legal ability and skill?

Has the firm handled jury trials involving drunk driving over the past year, and if so, how many?

Is the attorney knowledgeable about or specially trained in DUI field sobriety testing?

How many years has the attorney practiced in the area of drunk driving?

What specific challenges may you face in my case?

Tips For Selecting The Right Divorce Attorney

The selection of your attorney will likely be one of the most important factors in the outcome of your divorce. With such a massive pool of lawyers to choose from, making such an important decision can be extremely difficult — particularly since the needs of every case will be different. It will take a lot of research and time, but the choice of your legal representation should not be taken lightly.

Don’t simply pick the first lawyer you contact

It is vital that you do your homework and actually meet with several attorneys before you put down a large deposit to retain one. Trust is extremely important in the relationship you will develop with your attorney, and you need to meet them to get a feel for that initial first impression.

Talk to people you know who have been through divorce

It can be an awkward conversation to bring up, but talking to friends, family or coworkers who have been through divorce can give you a good place to start. Despite the ability of researching on the Internet, first-hand accounts are still a really good way to get quality information.

Don’t assume that if you’re a man, only male attorneys can successfully represent you

The chance of your attorney’s gender impacting the outcome of your case is not very high. It is much more important to worry about finding a competent and dependable attorney that you feel comfortable being around. What should matter most is that you trust them to fight for your best interests, regardless of their gender.

Be wary of advertisements

While TV and radio ads may indicate a successful lawyer or firm, that isn’t always the case. Ads are simply meant to attract business and don’t necessarily reflect the track record of an attorney.

How To Choose A Divorce Attorney

A divorce is one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life, ranking right up there with the death of a loved one. A divorce is also one of the few times – and maybe the only time – a person has to deal with the court system.

Ending a disintegrating marriage is made more difficult by the complexity of the divorce process and the emotional stress of dealing with the issues of child custody and support and division of assets.

Understanding the legal process is as baffling as trying to understand complex medical procedures, and just as you need to trust your physician, you need to feel confident with your attorney during a divorce. Your divorce attorney must be a combination of therapist, confidant, clergy person and “legal eagle.” So, how do you find this person to whom you can entrust your future?

Get referrals from friends

If you have friends who have gone through a divorce, ask what they liked and disliked about their attorneys. Was your friend’s case as complex or less complex than your own? Was the attorney equally competent in handling emotional issues such as custody and “business” issues such as division of assets? Also, ask about the attorney who represented your friend’s spouse.

Meet with several attorneys

Schedule appointments with several attorneys for consultations, and let the attorney know you are in the interviewing process. Most attorneys won’t see you free of charge since they have only their time and advice to sell, but some offer discounts for the initial consultation.

Ask the right questions

When you meet with an attorney, bring a list of questions regarding your concerns in choosing an attorney as well as your personal concerns in the divorce case. Ask how the law firm bills its clients and ascertain the billing rates for each person who will be working on your case

Secrets Your Divorce Lawyer Won’t Tell You

When competing for new business, it may behoove lawyers not to impart everything that their schooling and experience has taught them to prospective clients. That’s partly because some of what they know is not what a client wants to hear and painting an optimistic picture of the outcome can secure new business. What’s more, they might know something that, if they shared it with a new client, could negatively affect their bottom line. Below are twenty secrets that a divorce lawyer may not want to share with you.

It’s going to cost more than you bargained for

It’s not always the case—but more often than not, the costs associated with your divorce will often be higher than your lawyer’s original estimate. Contested divorces cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, though there are plenty of ways to limit the staunch the outward flow of cash before and during the process. A key part is to keep an open mind and focus on tomorrow’s opportunities rather than yesterday’s injustices.

That legal costs may compel you to live very frugally

No one wants to lead by asking you to make some dramatic cuts in your expenditure, but you would do well to take a long, cold look at your cash flow and think of ways to make some significant changes if need be. Seeing a big dip in the manner to which you’ve become accustomed is dispiriting, but it’s better to temporarily cut corners in your lifestyle than be represented by a bargain basement lawyer who could miss opportunities in getting you a favorable outcome.

That you may have to accept responsibility for the divorce

Fault-based divorce is when one spouse committed an act that gives legal justification to the ending of the marriage. These acts include adultery, a felony conviction, cruelty, or desertion. If you are the spouse that committed one of these acts, it could have a negative impact for you on things like child custody and the division of property, depending on local laws. It’s important to prepare for this scenario and attempt to determine all defenses available to you.

That you’ll save money and heartache by being organized

Divorce lawyers often charge by the hour. If you take responsibility for being as organized as possible, not only are you likely to walk away from your marriage with a more acceptable outcome, you’ll probably save some money too

How do I find a good divorce attorney?

Question

My wife just informed me that she’s in love with someone else and wants a divorce. She already has a lawyer for herself. I’ve been getting names of possible attorneys from friends, but my friends often say things like, “This one will make sure your wife won’t get a penny.” Of course I’m angry, but I’m not sure I want this to turn into a heated battle. What qualities would you advise I look for in a divorce attorney?

Answer

A good attorney can change the course of your divorce. It can be the difference between feeling like you have an advocate to protect you, or feeling like you’re fighting a battle alone. Divorce is hard, but an experienced divorce lawyer can take on some of that burden and help you achieve your goals. Find out more about what to look for when choosing a divorce attorney.

What Type of Attorney do I Need?

When you’re getting a divorce, you’ll need an attorney who is experienced in family law matters. A old college friend who now practices medical malpractice law isn’t likely to be the best choice to handle your divorce. Different areas of the law have different rules and requirements. Attorneys in each practice area have different skill sets. Divorce can be a complex process and it’s essential to have an attorney who knows the nuances of family law and is familiar with your local court’s rules and judges.

Can My Spouse and I Share an Attorney?

The short answer is “no.” The professional rules of conduct governing lawyers prohibit attorneys from representing both spouses in a divorce. This would create a conflict of interest for the attorney, since your interests, rights, and needs in a divorce are adverse to your spouse’s. A single attorney can’t ethically give good legal advice to two people in adverse positions.

How Do I Know If an Attorney Is the Right fit?

You should interview any prospective attorney just as you would someone who was applying to work for you. You need to like your attorney. It’s also important that you have confidence in your lawyer’s abilities and respond well to communication style. Some lawyers pride themselves on an aggressive demeanor, while others highlight their ability to collaborate and settle most divorces without a drawn-out courtroom battle.

How to choose a good divorce lawyer

The choice of a divorce lawyer is crucial to the outcome of your case and the way it progresses. Choosing the wrong lawyer can increase the emotional stress of being involved in a family law case and the cost to you and your family.

Identify the need for a divorce lawyer.

If you are contemplating separating from your partner it may be advantageous to meet with a divorce lawyer so that you are fully informed of your legal rights and directed in the best way to proceed after separation.

Ask for a referral

Lawyers, accountants, psychologists, financial planners and other professionals meet and work with divorce lawyers in the course of their work and are often a good source of referral. Ask them for the names of family law specialists with good reputations whose qualifications are most appropriate to your case.

Personal characteristics

You should avoid allowing a lawyer’s physical appearance to influence your decision about whether or not to engage them. Capable and skilled divorce lawyers come in many different sizes, shapes, genders and ages. These characteristics do not correlate with a lawyer’s ability. Irrespective of a lawyer’s ability, a client feeling comfortable is important if the lawyer-client relationship is to be a success. There is no reason not to engage a lawyer with whom you share personal characteristics with, but be sure you are not being influenced by stereotypes.

Identify your budget

Before selecting any lawyer you need to identify your budget. While market conditions such as supply, demand and competition dictate what lawyers charge, there can be a significant variation in fees.