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7 Biggest Lawyer Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

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7 Biggest Lawyer Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid: Whether you need an attorney to help you fight criminal charges, sue a negligent driver who was drunk when they struck your vehicle, or perhaps help protect your rights while you finalize a divorce, these and other situations require you to have experienced and knowledgeable legal representation on your side from start to finish. However, since your emotions may be running high in these situations, you may make many common mistakes others do when selecting an attorney. To make sure all goes well for you, here are seven of the biggest mistakes you can easily avoid.

7 Biggest Lawyer Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

Not Checking an Attorney’s Experience

While you can get virtually any lawyer to help you with any situation, it is best if you choose one who specializes in the type of situation you are encountering. However, many people make the mistake of choosing first and asking questions later. Unfortunately, it may be too late before you realize another attorney would have been a better choice. Therefore, always make sure the attorney you hire from Rawlings Law has proven experience where you need it most.

Not Asking about Fees

When you need a lawyer, never make the mistake of not finding out how much they will charge. If you fail to do this, you may be facing a very high legal bill that may be difficult to pay. Rather than face this embarrassing event, always ask about an attorney’s fees at your initial meeting. In addition, no matter what financial arrangements you have with your attorney, always have everything in writing so that there are no misunderstandings.

Not Meeting in Person

In today’s world, many people may choose their attorneys simply because of what they read on a website. While you can get plenty of excellent information online, it is always best if you can schedule an in-person meeting with an attorney before hiring them for your case. By meeting in-person, you can have the chance to ask questions and determine your level of comfort with the attorney. Should you decide to select your attorney sight-unseen, you may be in for a few unpleasant surprises.

Choosing the First Attorney You Find

Even if you are facing criminal charges and have police and prosecutors bearing down on you, never simply cave in to pressure and select the first attorney you happen to find online or in a phone book. No matter your circumstances, you are entitled to the best possible legal representation you can find. Because of this, always try to schedule consultations with several lawyers before making your final selection. By doing so, you can compare what each of the lawyers tells you regarding your case, such as how much they will charge and how they view your case will play out in court.

Choosing the Biggest Law Firm

Since most people do not require the services of an attorney very often, they tend to think that when legal assistance is required that bigger is always better. However, that is not always true. Depending on the type of case you have, it may be better to select a small law firm or even an attorney who is in solo practice. If you immediately choose a large law firm, your case may not receive the personalized attention you feel it deserves. In many instances, a large firm may assign what it perceives to be less important cases to junior associates or even paralegals.

Unrealistic Expectations

When you are facing a legal situation, don’t make the mistake of having unrealistic expectations about how your case will play out. If you do, you may be disappointed in the end. Unfortunately, many people fall victim to attorneys who will play on these unrealistic expectations to take cases they know are not winnable, simply so they can collect large fees along the way.

Not Looking Elsewhere

Finally, if you are not comfortable with how your attorney is handling your case, don’t be afraid to part ways and hire another lawyer. If you fail to ask questions and express your concerns as your case proceeds, the results may not be very good. Therefore, don’t sit back and assume everything will work out. Instead, be proactive and do what you feel is best.

By: Kim Hemphry

About the Author:

Kim Hemphry is a passionate expert in the areas of Legal Matters, learning and education. She has been featured on over 50 leading Legal and education sites and is a modern thought leader in the field. More about her interests and articles on her site – http://kimhemphry.com/.