How To Find A Good Attorney In Palm Coast
How to Find a Good Attorney in Palm Coast Florida
Locating a good lawyer who can properly and efficiently help with your particular legal problem may not be easy. Don't expect to locate a good lawyer by simply looking in the phone book or reading an advertisement. There's simply not enough information in these sources to help you make a good judgment.
And yet, that's what most people do. Their search is limited to the Yellow Pages or an ad they saw on TV. Don't fall into this trap. You need to make an informed and carefully considered decision.
A word of caution:
Beware of the Attorney who does anything and everything. The practice of law is wide in scope, and most attorneys only practice in certain disciplines such as criminal law, family law, estate planning, business, employment issues, tort, juvenile cases or many other areas of law. So if an attorney says he can do, or is willing to do anything or everything, this is likely because they don't have anything to do!
Choosing your lawyer can be one of the most important decisions for your case. If you want to change to a different lawyer after your case has begun, you may not be able to. Often you must get permission from the judge to change attorneys. If it is close to trial or other important hearing, the judge may not allow the change.
It can also be expensive to switch lawyers. Often you are required to pay a retainer before they will begin working on your case. Sometimes these retainers are refundable if you change lawyers, after deducting a fair amount to pay the first lawyer for the work already done for you. But sometimes retainers are not refundable. It usually depends on the agreement you made with your lawyer. Make sure you have a written agreement with your lawyer DO NOT rely on a verbal agreement.
Personal Referrals
One approach is to talk to people in your community who have experienced the same problem you face. Ask them who their lawyers were and their opinion of them. If you talk to several people who have had a similar legal problem, chances are you'll learn of several good sources.
Family, friends and business acquaintances are additional sources for your attorney search. A recommendation from a trusted source is a great way to find a good attorney. But don't make a decision about a lawyer solely on the basis of someone else's recommendation.
You may form a different conclusion about the same lawyer. Don't make up your mind about hiring a lawyer until you've met them, discussed your case, and decided that you feel comfortable working with them.
Ask Another Attorney
Possibly you might have had an attorney do certain work for you in the past. That attorney might not be a good candidate for your current issue, since that is not his area of expertise, but he might know a good attorney in your area who handles such matters.
Business Referrals
Businesses who provide services to the branch of the legal profession you are interested in may also be able to help you identify lawyers you should consider. For example, if your need is for business law, speak to your banker, accountant, insurance agent, and real estate broker. These people come into frequent contact with lawyers who represent business clients and are in a position to make informed judgments.
Lawyer Referral Services
Lawyer referral services are another source of information. However, there is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association.
Some lawyer referral services screen attorneys and list only those with particular qualifications and proven past experience, while others will simply list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Since these organizations earn an income from the referral, they may have a vested financial interest in recommending one law firm over another.
Your State Bar Association
Another good way to find an attorney is through your State Bar Association. Every State has a State Bar that licenses attorneys and most have a referral program where they can put you in touch with an attorney in your area who handles matters related to your particular case.
Interview Prospective Lawyers
After you have the names of several good attorney prospects, the next step is to talk to each one personally. If you outline your needs in advance, many lawyers will be willing to meet to you for a half-hour or so at no charge so that you can size them up and make an informed decision.
For a free, complete list of interview questions for your attorney search, go to http://palmcoastattorney.org.
by: Jack Potter
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