Almost everyone needs the services of a lawyer at least once. Without an exceptional education, it is difficult to understand all the legal intricacies. At the same time, many clients feel uncomfortable asking clarifying questions. However, unless it's foolish questions like “Why is it so expensive?” or “How not to pay child support?” your specialist can and should be asked about everything that interests you.
1. “Do I need an agreement to cooperate with you?”
This is a crucial point to be made clear at the outset and depends on the legal services you are applying for. If you just need to draw up a document, you can do without a contract. But if you hire a representative in court, you cannot do without writing agreements since it is on the basis of the contract that the lawyer receives permission to represent your interests in court.
2. “Have you done similar things?”
As in many other areas, narrow specialists are valued in the legal industry. For example, if you're suing for fraud, you'd be better off working with an attorney who specifically deals with fraud. However, there are many law firms and individuals on the market who try to grab everything at once. Therefore, before starting work, it is better to clarify whether your lawyer has experience specifically in your profile.
3. “How will you be paid for your services?”
This point is also worth clarifying before starting work. Some lawyers work on a full prepaid basis, while others receive fees in stages. Charging schemes may also vary. The most common type of payment is a fixed amount or an hourly rate. However, often lawyers can also receive a percentage – for example, from the amount of a claim or a concluded transaction. It is essential that you are clearly aware of all tariffs before entering into an agreement.
4. “What determines the price”?
This question insures you against a situation in which you will see the final bill for services and resent the amount. Even at the beginning of communication with a lawyer, it is recommended to clarify the approximate range of prices for resolving your issue, as well as what other expenses you may be required to pay.
5. “How to draw up a claim/application/other necessary paper?”
First of all, you should know that you can always entrust the preparation of the necessary documents to your lawyer. If you decide, for example, to file a lawsuit on your own, a lawyer will tell you what information you need to provide without fail.
6. “How will the court decide my case?”
This is a trick question, and you can ask it if you want to test the competence of a lawyer. Even the most professional specialist cannot guarantee you a positive result with one hundred percent probability. After all, when it comes to litigation, many other factors come into play – the competence of the opponent, the judge, the documents in the hands of the parties, and even the banal human factor. If a lawyer claims that the case is absolutely winning, you should not trust them.
7. “Is it possible to sign this or that document?”
One of the professional duties of most lawyers is to review contracts, agreements, and other important documents. It is essential to ask a specialist for advice on this matter so that you do not suffer from any loopholes in the contract. It is often easier to immediately entrust the drafting of the contract to a professional.
8. “What information do you need?”
Remember that hiding important information from a lawyer is just as harmful as it is from a doctor. In order to competently understand your case, a professional needs to have complete and accurate background data. It is also better to immediately provide all the necessary documents on the case so as not to waste too much time.
9. “What are the prospects for my business?”
Of course, you should not expect an answer to this question before starting work. However, after reading the necessary materials, a good lawyer can give a rough estimate of the success of your case and inform you about the possible risks. At the same time, jurisprudence is not an exact science, and the success of the litigation will depend not only on you and your representative.
10. “How often will you be in touch?”
Any lawyer leaves the client their contacts for communication. This feature must not be abused during non-working hours (except for emergency cases that cannot be delayed). Therefore, it will not be superfluous to clarify when you can get in touch and how it is more convenient to contact you – by phone or by message in the messenger. Also note that if your lawyer does not respond for several days, this indicates that he/she is not a very good professional.
The bottom line
It is critical to remember that communication with your lawyer is a critical component of a successful attorney-client relationship while seeking legal assistance. Asking the appropriate questions can not only help you comprehend your legal issue but will also guarantee you are working with a knowledgeable and trustworthy legal practitioner.
Communication with your lawyer should be open and honest throughout the legal procedure. By asking these ten questions and establishing a collaborative partnership, you will be able to make better-informed decisions and confidently traverse the complexity of the legal system. Remember that a qualified lawyer delivers not only legal competence but also efficient communication and support to meet your legal needs.
