1. Do I really need a Lawyer?

This is the first question you should ask yourself. In some cases you can handle the problem without hiring a lawyer. If the problem is small and can be handled without the advice of a lawyer then you can usually find the right forms and resources to help you at the online at a Legal Portal like All www.Law.com  www.justice.com However, if the situation involves a major problem like being slapped with a lawsuit or charged with a crime you probably need a lawyer.

2. What kind of Lawyer do I need?

A lot of lawyers specialize in one area of the law. General practitioners, however, have a wide varying range of matters that they handle. If your legal matter involves a specialized area of law like family, bankruptcy, taxation or patent law then you need to contact a specialist. If you are dealing with a general matter then a general practice lawyer should be able to help you. Make sure to ask your attorney whether he or she specializes in an area of law before you decide to hire them.

 3. Where can I find an attorney?
 
There are many ways to find an attorney. You can find one on an on-line attorney directory where information is available about attorneys at their websites. Your state’s bar association will also have a referral service that can put you in touch with an attorney. Word of mouth and the phone book are the old standard ways of finding an attorney. 
 
 
4. How much do lawyers charge?
 
Attorney fees can cost a pretty penny depending on what type of case you have and how much time an attorney will spend on your case. There are several different types of fee arrangements including hourly, flat fees and contingent fees. Hourly fees are calculated by multiplying the amount of hours an attorney works on your case by the attorney’s hourly rate. Contingent fees are fees that allow the attorney to receive a certain agreed upon percentage of any judgment amounts received by you. A fixed rate places a set price for the services an attorney will provide to you. Attorney fees are usually calculated without including court costs and filing fees that are usually paid up front by the client. Always ask potential attorneys to explain their fees and billing practices prior to engaging their services. 

5. Can I fire my attorney?

Remember that you are the boss when it comes to your attorney. You can fire your attorney at anytime. If you are not satisfied with the work your attorney is doing for you, you are entitled to terminate his or her services. However, you must pay for services rendered up to the date of termination.
 
 
Finally, finding an attorney can be a daunting task, so make sure you’re prepared before you start the process. There are many places where you can find out more information about attorneys prior to contacting them. One such place is on the internet were a lot of attorneys have websites that provide personal as well as professional information about them. 
Good Luck!