A Guide To Hiring A Lawyer In Oxford MS

By Anita Ortega


Hiring an attorney to represent your interests is essential especially if you are hurt in an accident, going through a divorce, writing a will, starting a business or buying a property among other legal issues. Most Oxford MS attorneys specialize in a particular area of the law. You should therefore hire a professional who has relevant experience. Most attorneys will charge you nothing during the first consultation. You can use this opportunity to find out if an attorney is honest and forthcoming.

As you consult with a legal professional, you should seek to know about the cases he or she has previously handled. It is also crucial to ask about the chances of your case failing or succeeding. If the lawyer is honest, he or she will let you know about the downsides or risks of filing a case.

As you consult with a legal professional, you should also seek to know if he or she can meet your needs and whether he or she pays attention to details. Find out if you can easily reach the professional when you need clarifications on any matter. You should also find out if your attorney will regularly update you about the progress of your case in writing or through the phone.

It is also important to find out if the attorney will be your main point of contact or if communication will be delegated to a paralegal. When looking for an attorney, you also need to find out how much he or she will charge you. State ethics laws require attorneys to charge reasonable service fees. The American Bar Association advises attorneys to clearly explain their fees within a reasonable time frame after they begin representing a client.

Attorneys may charge extra fees for costs associated with a case like court filing fees, photocopies, research services and courier services. Note the extra fees that you will pay. As you choose a professional, bear in mind that high fees do not mean that you are getting the best services. Similarly, low fees do not mean that you are getting a good deal. Hire an attorney who offers the right balance between experience and cost.

You may save some money if you ask your attorney to allow a paralegal to perform some tasks. You can also ask the professional to allow you to perform the tasks that you are capable of performing. If you are dealing with a straightforward issue such as filing an uncontested divorce, a bankruptcy or drafting a will, the professional may ask for flat fees.

Attorneys can also charge on an hourly basis and the final cost depends on the time they take to complete a case. If you opt for such a fee arrangement, ask the attorney to provide you with a written estimate of the hours he or she will take to complete your case. You may be asked to make upfront payment, which is referred to as a retainer.

You may also hire an attorney who offers his or her services based on a contingency fee. Your goal should be to hire a professional who is capable of offering personalized and prompt attention. After you agree to hire an attorney, ensure that you honor the agreements you made.




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