Make sure your lawyer answers all of your questions before hiring the lawyer


Make sure you get answers from any lawyer you are thinking of hiring

Make sure you get answers from any lawyer you are thinking of hiring. Otherwise, you won’t feel comfortable with your representation.

You have questions — make sure before hiring a lawyer that you get all of your questions answered

The primary reason you consider hiring a lawyer is because you have questions about the law or how the legal process works.  Especially when you are considering being in court — it is natural that you would have questions.

So here are some suggestions as you go through the process of finding and hiring a consumer protection lawyer.

Make a written list of any question you have — all the questions actually.

There are no bad questions.

If you have a question or are confused about something, write it down.

If you have received contradictory advice from any source, write it down.

Here’s why it is important to write it down — maybe you can remember all of your questions.  But in a meeting with a lawyer, you may forget some.

Why take a chance?

Just write them down.

On paper or on your phone or computer, etc.

This will help you in hiring a lawyer — the right lawyer.

OK, so what do you do with your list?

As you talk to the lawyer, check off the questions that are answered.

The lawyer will likely have questions for you to make sure they understand your situation.  As the lawyer talks to you, some of your questions may be answered.

That’s great — check them off your written list.

You may find that all of them are answered, but if not then you need to make sure you have a chance to ask the lawyer questions.

Does the lawyer you talk to ask if you have any questions?

At some point — beginning, middle or end of the conversation — the lawyer should ask if you have questions.

I’ll often ask “Did I answer all of your questions that you have today?”

I’ll suggest to you that you should want any lawyer you are considering hiring to encourage you to ask any questions that you have.

If the lawyer doesn’t, then consider this as you make your hiring decision.

Whether asked or not, make sure to ask any questions that have not already been answered.

Even if the lawyer doesn’t ask you about questions, you should say, “I have some questions for you.  Is now a good time for me to ask my questions?”

It could be the lawyer is in the middle of explaining something or gathering information so they may ask you to hold your questions for a few minutes.

That’s fine.

But you should get a chance to ask any questions you have before hiring a lawyer.

You want to make sure that every question you have has been answered by the lawyer.  If the lawyer doesn’t know the answer, then the lawyer can get back with you with the answer.

If the lawyer is annoyed or won’t answer your questions, consider whether this lawyer a good fit for you.

The lawyer may be the best lawyer in the world but if the lawyer won’t answer your questions, is he or she a good fit for you?

That’s up to you.

And I’ll point out the obvious — a lawyer who won’t answer questions may very well NOT be the best lawyer.  Certainly not for you.

But that is your choice.

You need to feel very confident and comfortable with any lawyer that you choose to represent you.

If you would like to chat with us — and make sure your questions are answered — contact us now.

You can call us at 205-879-2447 and speak to a human being.  We only have voicemail in the evening — otherwise you’ll speak to a real person.

Or you can fill out our contact form and we’ll be happy to get back with you ASAP.

Thanks for reading this and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

John Watts

PS You may also want to read our article about finding the right lawyer.


2 Comments

  1. Fred Franke says:

    Mr. Watts:

    I’ve read several of your online articles. Thank you for such good information.

    Our home is Going to Sheriff’s Sale on August 29. Please give me a call when you have a few minutes.

    Fred

    • John Watts says:

      Fred,

      You are welcome — thank you for the kind comments.

      Since you are out of state we can’t help you directly. So when you are interviewing lawyers in your state — do make sure you have a list of questions you want to be answered.

      Best wishes!

      John Watts

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