Need
a Lawyer?... Kansas Lawyer Referral Service 1 (800) 928-3111
Do
I always need a lawyer?
Maybe not. First, you may want to explore alternative
courses of action before hiring a lawyer. Many government
agencies can resolve problems for you. The tricky part is
finding the appropriate agency or organization. This guide
is a good starting point. It may be worth a couple of phone
calls to avoid messy legal situations.
When should I hire a lawyer?
The best time to go to your lawyer is before you are
in legal difficulty. You may save money and trouble if you
consult with a lawyer before you sign papers or take such
action which might alter your legal position. If it concerns
an incident or condition which has already occurred, go
to your lawyer as soon as possible if you have any questions.
Some matters have strict time limits in which legal action
must be taken or they are lost. Other times you might hire
a lawyer include:
- You
are arrested or charged with a crime
- You
are about to enter into a verbal or written contract
which has major financial consequences or involves unusual
legal questions
- You
are involved in an accident involving injury to persons
or damage to property
- You
are seeking to collect money owed to you, or someone
else is seeking to collect from you and you do not believe
you owe or there is some question about whether you
owe
- You
need an opinion as to the title to real estate
- You
have a taxation problem concerning a substantial amount
- You
are buying or selling real estate
- You
want to plan your estate and make a will or set up a
trust
- You
are organizing or dissolving a business
- You
are involved in the settlement of an estate
- You
desire to make or terminate a lease
- You
are involved in a family situation such as adoption,
divorce, etc.
- You
are served with legal papers
- You
are not sure as to your legal position on any given
matter
How
do I go about finding and hiring a lawyer?
There are any number of ways to select a lawyer: word
of mouth, phone book advertisements, community reputations,
and referral services. Some agencies, such as the Legal
Aid Society, provide free legal services for those who cannot
afford it. Check your local phone directories. Above all,
keep in mind the type of lawyer you want, how serious and
important the matter is to you, and how much time, money,
and energy you are willing to spend on a lawyer to protect
or defend your rights.
Services
available to the public:
How will I be charged and what kind of fee arrangements
are available?
Lawyers charge in one of three ways:
- on
a flat fee basis
- on
an hourly basis
- on
a contingent fee basis
It
is best for lawyers to put their fee and legal service arrangements
in writing (usually called retainer agreements) so that
both of you understand what is expected from each other.
A flat fee basis is just that; an attorney may agree to
handle your situation for a set amount of money, period.
If it is on an hourly basis, the lawyer may ask for a retainer
(a fee to hire the lawyer's services) from which the lawyer
will draw the previously agreed-upon hourly rate. An advanced
fee arrangement is one in which you pay the lawyer a set
sum as immediate compensation. For instance, you may pay
your lawyer $500 up front just to investigate thoroughly
a complicated case. Based on what the lawyers finds, you
may or may not decide to proceed with your case. A contingent
fee arrangement is one in which the lawyer's fee is paid
only if there is some financial recovery. This is usually
a percentage of the total recovery and is common practice
in personal injury and damage cases.
How
to hold down legal costs
A few suggestions to help reduce the cost of legal
services are:
- Before
meeting with your lawyer, collect all letters, documents
and information you think might be helpful, and bring
them with you to the initial consultation.
- When
talking to your lawyer, try to present an overall view
of your position. Share all of your information, even
if it is not in your favor.
- Avoid
frequent telephone calls or visits to find out how things
are going, as you will likely be charged for each. You
may be able to avoid such expenses by agreeing with
your lawyer initially that your lawyer will keep you
advised of progress.
What
if I question my lawyer's professional conduct?
It is important to ask your lawyer any question you
might have, either about your legal situation or your lawyer's
representation. Lawyers are held to a high standard of ethics
as outlined in the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
If you question your lawyer's conduct, you may discuss your
concern with your lawyer (there may be a simple explanation;
most client complaints come from inadequate communication
with their lawyer), or you may contact the Office of the
Disciplinary Administrator at 701 Jackson St, 1st Floor,
Topeka, KS 66603-3729, (785) 296-2486. This agency is responsible
for investigating misconduct by any lawyer licensed to practice
in Kansas. |
