Tips for hiring an attorney:

1. Is your attorney licensed to practice law?

The Georgia State Bar website, www.gabar.gov, allows you to check on the status of any attorney's membership, identifies any disciplinary actions taken against an attorney, and lists the colleges an attorney attended.  Trusted Referrals only refers attorneys that are in good standing with the Georgia Bar.

2. Hire an attorney you can afford.

Many people hire an expensive attorney, but later find themselves left on their own when
they cannot pay the attorney's fees.  Having an attorney start the case, but being left to
finish the case on your own is worse than simply handling the entire matter on your own;
you inherit the added hassles of a represented case, but lose the benefits of representation.  Also, be very wary of payment plans and be sure that you can afford to make the payments
you have agreed to.

3. High priced attorneys not always the best.

Attorney fees vary significantly. In general, the fee that an attorney charges tends to increase with experience, although this is not always the case.  Some low-cost attorneys find it unconscionable to charge astronomical fees, or simply like representing everyday folks.  Likewise, some expensive attorneys are less effective, but merely charge more to pay for
an expensive office.  In the end, you are the ultimate judge of value, so be sure to consider
not only at price, but also the specific details of your case, and how well you believe you can work with your attorney.

4. Experience doesn't always matter.

The truth is that the most experienced attorney isn't right for everyone.  If an attorney
is too busy to pay attention to your case, or hands your case off to a paralegal or a less experienced attorney, you may not benefit from that attorney's experience.  By understanding the complexity of your case and who will be working on it, you can avoid paying senior-partner prices for junior associate service. While a veteran attorney with 30 years of experience can certainly handle, for example, a simple divorce with no property and no children, less-experienced attorneys can handle that case just as easily.  

5. Never hire an attorney you don't trust.

Every now and then, we all meet someone that we just don’y trust, even if we can't explain
why.  Don't hire that person as your attorney.  Most often your own impressions about a
person are correct and you would be foolish not to trust those instincts.  The attorney-client relationship is dependent on mutual trust.  If you do not trust your attorney, you cannot effectively work with him or her.

6. Communication is key.

Know your expectations about your case, and communicate them to your prospective
attorney. The foundation of any good working relationship is good communication.  If you
have a specific objective you wish to achieve, make sure you tell the attorney.  Your goals
may be unique to you, and may not be obvious to the attorney.  A good attorney will take the time to listen to you to know what you hope to accomplish, and will advise you on whether
and how these goals can be met.  If you do not yet know your expectations, a good attorney can help you develop them.  Discussing your objectives at the beginning can prevent you
from being disappointed at the end.

7.  Additional costs along the way.

While attorneys fees will likely be the largest expense in a represented legal action, there may be other substantial expenses.  Court filing fees continue to rise.  Beyond this, however, your case may have a number of expenses that you will want to discuss with your attorney.  Additional costs can include anything from hiring a private detective to paying for courtroom graphics to help present your case.  A good attorney can spot these sorts of issues, and
should discuss the costs associated with them.

8.  Get a signed fee agreement.

No matter how simple the case, or how low you anticipate the fee to be, insist on getting a
fee agreement and be sure to read it completely before signing it.  By putting this agreement
in writing, it is clear what responsibilities you and your attorney have, how much you have agreed to pay, and for what services you are paying.  If you have any questions about a fee agreement, ask for clarification or take the agreement to another attorney for review before
you sign it.

9.  Don't hire an attorney who pretends to be perfect.

The fact is, attorneys are human.  Look for an attorney who is realistic in his or her personal assessment and the assessment of your case.  A new attorney should not be afraid to admit that he or she is new, and should be willing to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of hiring him or her.  Any attorney should be willing to acknowledge that your case will require research if it presents an unusual situation or one that is new to that attorney.  (Attorneys are not walking repositories of law, but are instead highly trained in researching law.)  A good attorney should also be willing to say "no" to a case that is beyond his or her skills.  Avoid an attorney that paints too rosy a picture of your case, appears too anxious to sign you on as a client, or appears to have difficulty acknowledging his or her mistakes.  An attorney that is
afraid to admit and correct a minor mistake early on is the attorney that will let that mistake become a major problem later.

10.  Be Prepared!

Come prepared for your first interview with a brief summary of your immediate case (include dates and facts) as well as a list of general questions for the attorney. Your purpose of the interview is to decide if the attorney has the right experience to take your case; to decide if
you are comfortable with the fee arrangement; and, most importantly, to decide if you are comfortable working with the attorney. Since this a free consultation, it may not be a lengthy one.  Be concise and prepared to take notes and listen carefully to the attorney.

Let TRUSTED REFERRALS help you 
to choose the right attorney. 

Call the number below or contact us electronically
so we can review your case and pair you
with a qualified attorney in your area today.

678-852-8611

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Many people in need of legal
services often find themselves
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