5 Important Questions To Ask When Selecting An Attorney
How Are The Fees Determined?
Most attorneys usually bill a client by the hour, or by increments of an hour. The hourly rate is a result of applying the attorney’s experience with the years of practice. You will certainly want to understand how the attorney will be billing you for services performed on your behalf. Be sure to ask what will happen with your case once the initial retainer is exhausted, but work still remains to be performed.
Another method for paying for legal services rendered on your behalf is to be charged a flat rate. Many times this method is used when it is a simple case. The flat rate is also the result of applying the attorney’s years of practice and experience. Criminal cases are usually performed on a flat rate basis.
At Fox & Scott, PLLC, our family law attorneys often charge a flat rate for domestic relations law cases. We have found that by doing so, there are no surprises when the client receives their monthly bills. More importantly, the client knows exactly what the attorney’s services are going to cost. This is vital, as a family law matter is often a person’s first encounter with the legal system. Going through a divorce or a custody battle is stressful enough, let alone worrying about what the total costs will be and how will it get paid.
What Experience Does The Attorney Have In This Area Of The Law?
Once an attorney graduates from law school and passes the state bar examination, that attorney can provide services for clients in virtually any area of the law. Basically, there are two types of lawyers. First, is the transactional attorney. This is an attorney that provides counsel and performs services for the client, but rarely, if ever, goes to court to conduct trials and hearings. The other type is the litigation attorney. Litigators also provide counsel and provide services to the client, but the litigation attorney usually is in court daily, conducting hearings, arguing motions and taking matters to trial. With either type, generally, the longer that an attorney has practiced the more knowledgeable and experienced they tend to be. At Fox & Scott, PLLC, we are litigators. We regularly appear daily in the local courts of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Chances are highly likely, that we have tried many cases before the judge or magistrate assigned to your case.
Ask your prospective attorney about their experience. What is that attorney’s reputation with the local bar? How many cases like yours has that attorney handled in the past? Has that attorney conducted cases against the opposing counsel before? Do other attorneys seek help and advice from your prospective attorney?
How Will You Know What Is Happening With Your Case?
Your case is usually the most important instant issue on your life. Being involved in a legal matter is very stressful. Going through a divorce, or possibly facing jail time is the second most stressful thing a person can endure, with the first being the death of a loved one.
Your case should be important to your attorney as well. Ask your prospective attorney how accessible they will be to you? Does your prospective attorney have a policy on returning your call within a specified time? Can your prospective attorney be reached after hours, on weekends, or during holidays?
At Fox & Scott, PLLC, our clients can reach our attorneys by office telephone, cellular telephones, text communications or electronic mail. Our attorneys are among the very few that provide their cellular phone numbers to clients. We strive to communicate with our clients in timely manner, because our clients deserve that kind of attention.
Are You Comfortable With The Attorney?
Is your prospective attorney able to communicate clearly? It is important to find an attorney who not only will communicate with you regularly, but whom you can clearly understand. At Fox & Scott, PLLC, our attorneys use simple, plain language to explain the law and consequences to our clients. We do not believe in sugar coating things with our clients. We will always tell you the reality of your situation – not what you may want to hear. After all, you are making important decisions that will affect your life, and that of your loved ones.
Is your prospective attorney confident in their abilities? What is the level of aggressiveness? At Fox & Scott, PLLC, our attorneys are extremely confident in themselves. While being confident and self-assured, our attorneys are not the “mad dog” type. We take the time to thoroughly understand your case and its consequences, so that we can explain your options to you, for you to make the decision that is best for you, and your loved ones.
Will I Have Control Of My Case?
If your prospective attorney does not tell you that you are in charge of your case, you should consider hiring a different attorney. At Fox & Scott, PLLC, our attorneys work for our clients. In other words, the client is the boss of their case. With the assistance of our attorneys, you should plot the course of the legal work being done, and not simply be along for a ride.
Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky have many types of lawyers. When you conduct a lawyer search, find a lawyer with the experience and skill to manage the legal, emotional and financial issues involved in your case.
You need a good lawyer to provide you the best legal advice so you can make the best decisions for you.
We are good lawyers.
We Listen – We Care – We Advise – We Fight For You – We Get You Through It.
We can help you.
Please call or email our law firm to schedule your free, initial and confidential consultation about your case.
- Greater Cincinnati 513.591.2000 Northern Kentucky 859.291.1000
- brad@foxscottlaw.com
- rick@foxscottlaw.com
- Fox & Scott, PLLC
- 517 Madison Ave.
- Covington, KY 41011
