Most people go through their whole lives without ever needing to take legal action against a person or organization. However, if you’re in a position where you need help with a legal matter, you will need to hire an attorney.
Even once you’ve found the perfect lawyer for your needs, you might have no idea what to expect. How many consultations should you expect? What are the fees involved? How do you communicate with your attorney?
In this article, we’re going to cover everything that you can expect when you hire an expert HKM lawyer.
Communication
Every lawyer will have their preferred methods of communication, such as over the phone, via email, or in person. They will also have their own styles and quirks when it comes to the way they communicate certain things.
Laws can be complicated to wrap your head around. Your attorney should be able to explain complex legal processes in layman’s terms and they should be able to give a general overview of your case when requested. They should make you feel comfortable and keep you well-informed at every stage of your case.
They should also be able to convey important information to family members if necessary. For example, if a senior adult is planning retirement or needs legal help with estate planning, the lawyer might need to consult their younger relatives if the senior wishes them to do so.
Your attorney should not be difficult to get hold of and they should respond to your inquiries promptly. Most lawyers have a legal PA who helps them stay on top of their calendars. If you are having trouble getting through directly to your attorney, speak to their PA to arrange a consultation with your lawyer when they’re next available.
Fees
Every lawyer charges different fees based on their unique services and experience. It’s important to determine the costs associated with your lawyer’s services before you hire them to avoid fee disputes later down the line.
Some attorneys charge a flat fee to work on a case while others charge pro rata. You may be expected to pay an initial consultation fee where the lawyer will run through their processes.
Before you hire the lawyer, you must get a signed written fee agreement. This should clearly state all of the fees that you can expect from your lawyer so that there are no nasty surprises later down the line. Having the written agreement will prevent fee disputes and makes it easier for you to budget.
Ethics and Legal Regulations
Lawyers must comply with a wide range of legal rules and ethical regulations that are put in place to protect themselves and their clients. Although you don’t need to know all of these rules yourself, it’s important to be aware of them so that you can identify if and when a lawyer goes against their legal or ethical duties.
No matter what type of lawyer you hire, there is a legal expectation that they will maintain privacy and confidentiality. They must work with your best interests at heart and remain unbiased and non-prejudiced when gathering the details of your case.