Sunday, April 13, 2014

The Value of Face-to-Face Communication with an Attorney

Having strong communication with your attorney is imperative when going through the legal process. Things that are overlooked or not fully communicated can come with substantial consequences. And, in the end, by being open and honest with your lawyer, you may be more likely to be satisfied with the outcome. Depending on the nature and complexity of your legal matter, you may opt to alleviate much of your stress and confusion by meeting with an attorney in person. 

The benefits of face-to-face communication


If you can afford to take the time and cost of meeting the lawyer in person, there is a greater chance that you and the lawyer will develop a much closer, professional bond. Having face-to-face communication is very beneficial, particularly if you and the lawyer are going over complicated matters such as detailed and confusing paperwork. Also, if your legal matter is more emotional, like a family legal issue, then having a lawyer physically present can alleviate a lot of the stress involved.

Do you need an attorney in Riverside County?


At the Riverside County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, we will carefully listen to your situation and concerns and match you to a prescreened lawyer. If communication is something that you value, we will certainly keep that in mind when evaluating the right lawyer for your legal matter. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Is your legal matter not in Riverside?


There are other bar associations such as the Brooklyn Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association that also provide lawyer referral services. Check to see if your city or county provides such services.


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.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Do You Need a Child Custody Lawyer?

No parent ever wants to think about the day that he/she needs to decide child custody matters. Not only do you have to protect your child’s interests, but there are a number of other questions that need to be answered. How much time is spent between each parent? What if you or the other parent wants to move away? How will you allocate the expenses?
Having the right lawyer guide you through child custody hearings and procedures is crucial in ensuring that your child’s interests.

Is mediation the answer?


While there is no “best case scenario” in terms of child custody, if you and the other parent are amicable and can discuss matters in a productive way, your lawyer may suggest mediation. Mediation is more of a discussion of the terms and the lawyer acts more as a facilitator between the two parties. Mediation is typically more cost effective and time efficient in comparison to litigation.

What if you need to go to court?


There are situations where mediation is not suitable for discussing child custody. For instance, if there are suspicions of abuse or irresponsible parenting, it may be necessary to go to court as the lawyer will have to obtain evidence and build a case to prevent the wrongful parent from having custody. Also, if there are other substantial disagreements between the two parties, litigation may be the only option in solving child custody issues.

Do you need a child custody lawyer in Riverside County?


Legal matters like child custody cannot be taken lightly and you need the right family law attorney for your situation. If you are in Riverside County, consult with the Riverside County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service. When you talk to us, we will listen to your situation and carefully match you to a prescreened lawyer. Hiring the right lawyer is the first step in helping your family move on from this challenging time. Let us help.

Is your family’s legal matter outside of Riverside County?


There are other bar associations like the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco who offer Lawyer Referral Services. Research and see if there is a Lawyer Referral Service in your city or county.


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.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Issues that arise with tenants and landlords

Do you have a legal issue with a tenant or landlord? The Riverside Lawyer Referral Service may be able to help.

Both tenants and landlords have an obligation to each other to respect each other’s rights. The landlord cannot discriminate against prospective tenants because of ethnicity, gender, disability etc.; however, the landlord does have the right to obtain credit history from the potential tenant to ensure that he/she is financially capable of paying the rent. Likewise, the landlord is responsible to maintain the rented site and provide safe living conditions for the tenant.

Disputes that may arise between the landlord and tenant can be very expensive and have lasting results. For example, if a landlord does not fix a leak that is in the residence, the leak may lead to mold, causing the tenant to get sick. Or, the tenant may have cause significant damage to the property prior to moving out, leaving the landlord with large expenses to fix the issue.

If you have an issue with a landlord or tenant, contact us so that we can refer you to the right real property lawyer for the case. During your consultation, the lawyer can inform you about your rights and how to proceed with your situation.

Not in Riverside? There are other 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.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Business litigation and lawyer services

Business litigation can take on a myriad of forms, which is why it is important to meet with a lawyer who is well-versed in business law. Whether you are in the beginning stages of your business, or are facing a legal dispute with a partner or employee, having the right lawyer represent you is imperative.
Business litigation issues may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Copyrights and patents
  • Contract disputes
  • Employment litigation
  • Real estate
  • Contractor disputes

Or, you may find that you may not need to have a lawyer throughout the entire duration of your business legal matter. For example, you can meet with an attorney to go over contracts and have him/her explain them to you before proceeding with the paperwork. Or, you can have the lawyer give you sound legal advice of how to continue with your course of action. Either way, receiving legal insight from a law professional will have long term benefits.

If you have more questions about how to prepare for a consultation with a lawyer regarding your business legal issue, contact the Riverside Lawyer Referral Services. We are here to help.

For other bar associations, consider one of the following:


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.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Finding the right bankruptcy lawyer

Today, bankruptcy is an unfortunate, but all too common reality. There may be been a business venture that did not go as planned. You may have gone through an expensive divorce. The housing market caused your mortgage to skyrocket. We can’t plan for these types of financial difficulties, and, when they arise, they have devastating consequences.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty and need to file bankruptcy, an experienced bankruptcy lawyer can help alleviate much of the stress from your situation. A bankruptcy attorney can clearly explain all of the necessary steps involved with filing bankruptcy and your options. Whether you are filing a Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or business bankruptcy, a well-qualified lawyer can help you determine the best course of action with your situation.

At the Riverside LRS, we have prescreened bankruptcy attorneys who can help you through this difficult time. If you would like to know more about bankruptcy and obtaining a lawyer, contact the Riverside County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service. For updates regarding legal news, follow us on twitter.



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.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Real property lawyers and contracts

While a Realtor can give you guidance regarding real estate budgets and whether or not to buy a property, a real property lawyer can also be very useful when buying and dealing with real estate. When buying real estate, an experienced attorney can go over the paperwork and contracts, which can be very difficult to understand, and, if not properly explained, can lead to major difficulties after closing.

If you have already bought the property and are considering renovations, a real property attorney can help you with contracts or legal disputes with contractors and workers. In handling the contracts, the lawyer can help explain the procedures and the best course of action. If you are having a legal trouble with a contractor, a real property lawyer can evaluate your circumstances and give you guidance regarding the next steps.

When considering renting out the property, a real property lawyer can discuss how to go about the contracts with the potential tenant. In addition, if you are a landlord and have a dispute with a tenant, the lawyer can help you with that as well. 

Use the Riverside County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services to match you with an experienced real property lawyer. If you have questions regarding meeting with an attorney, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If your matter is not in Riverside County, consider one of these alternative Lawyer Referral Services:


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.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Why did the attorney not accept my case?

There is assumption among many people who seek legal representation that they are the ones in charge since they are paying the lawyer for his/her services. But, in reality, there are instances where the attorney may not take on your case. Just as you are not obligated to work with an attorney you meet with, the attorney is not obligated to take on every case. If an attorney does not accept your case, there may be very justifiable reasons for him/her to do so such as:
  1. Lack of knowledge or experience – Just because a lawyer may be a personal injury lawyer, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he/she is well-versed in every aspect of that practice area. Legal areas are vast in nature, so there may be instances where the lawyer may not be able to address your specific needs. For instance, if you have a medical malpractice case that pertains to a birth injury, but the lawyer mainly focuses on elder abuse, that lawyer may not be the best lawyer for your case.
  2. Conflict of interest – If the attorney knows or has a personal or professional relationship with the opposing side, he/she may have a bias against your case, ultimately harming your representation. For example, if you are suing a company that the lawyer has stocks in, he/she may be more hesitant to take on your case as the outcome may affect the lawyer’s relationship with the company.
  3. Unworthy claim – There is a lot at stake when a lawyer takes on a case; therefore, they tend to take on cases that they believe will have a strong chance of obtaining a favorable result. That’s why it is extremely important to come prepared to your consultation with the lawyer so you can provide a sound claim for your case.
  4. Strategy disagreements – Ultimately, if a lawyer agrees to take on a case, both you and lawyer must work together to see the end result. If the attorney has a strategy that you are not comfortable with, then the relationship may not be a good one.

Just because a lawyer may reject your case that does not mean that another lawyer will not represent you. At the same time, because there is a chance that a lawyer may not want to take the case, it is important to make sure you are very organized and prepared for your consultation.

You can follow the Riverside County Bar Association on Twitter to get updates regarding legal and lawyer referral service information.



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.