Contingency Fees

Many people are under the assumption that hiring a lawyer is very expensive and ultimately not worth the trouble. However, during your consultation with the lawyer, depending on the type of case, you may find that he/she works on a contingency basis. This means that the payment is contingent on the outcome and the lawyer will not accept any legal fees unless your case is won.

Contingency fees are common when clients are being compensated for their pains such as personal injury or workers compensation. If you are facing financial strains with your legal situation with medical bills or lost wages, having a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis may alleviate some of the stress.

Because contingency-based cases put lawyers at a high-risk, they tend to be more selective about which cases they choose to represent. So, you need to make sure you are prepared during the initial meeting regarding your claim so the lawyer can evaluate your circumstances.

Not all lawyers work on a contingency basis. For instance, civil lawyers and family lawyers tend to work on an hourly basis.

When finding an attorney through the Riverside Lawyer Referral Service, we can help match you with the right lawyer for your situation.

Not in Riverside? There are alternative Lawyer Referral Services at the Bar Association of San Francisco, the Brooklyn Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

How do emotions have an effect when deciding whether or not to get an attorney?

It’s unlikely that someone would consider a legal matter as a joyous occasion. The process itself can be expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining. For many, deciding whether or not a lawyer is needed for the case can prove to be its own feat as there are pros and cons in a lawyer representing your case and you representing yourself.

One thing to consider is your emotional involvement in the case. Probably one of the most counterproductive things you can do during a legal dispute is to have your emotions overshadow your good sense. This may be even more problematic when personal relationships are involved in the matter such as a divorce, business dispute with family or a loved one, or estate matters. When being highly emotional about a case, people may make rash decisions, making the outcome even worse.

Having the right lawyer brings a necessary cerebral component to the legal situation and can help maintain a level of professionalism and objectiveness when evaluating the circumstances. In the end, this will benefit all of the involved parties.

If you have more questions regarding whether or not you should hire an attorney, contact the Riverside Lawyer Referral Services for more information.

In case you do not live in Riverside County and still would like Lawyer Referral Services, consider contacting the Bar Association of San Francisco, Brooklyn Bar Association, or Chicago Bar Association.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Gauging the complexity of the issue

There are instances when a lawyer may or may not be necessary for a dispute and it’s really up to you to decide if hiring a lawyer is the best option for your legal matter.

For example, a person may be getting sued and is served with copious amount of paperwork. The documents themselves are confusing and the person who is served is unsure about the appropriate steps. Hiring a lawyer may prove to be useful in this case because he/she can carefully go over the documents and provide sound legal counsel and representation.

Alternatively, if you have a firm understanding of the legal process and its implications, hiring a lawyer may not be entirely necessary. For instance, when filing for the divorce, the couple may not have any children, substantial assets, or other pressure issues. In this case, a lawyer may not be necessary and the couple and go through the process by themselves.

Ultimately, it’s up to your judgment regarding your comfort level with the legal process. In any case, having a consultation with a lawyer about your situation may prove to be a useful asset as there may be unforeseeable and complex issues that you may not have considered in the case.

Have the Riverside Lawyer Referral Service refer you to an experienced lawyer to evaluate your situation.

For alternative bar associations, consider one of the following:

• The Bar Association of San Francisco
• Brooklyn Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.