3 Ways To Keep Your Legal Expenses To A Minimum

Posted on: 1 August 2017

Regardless of why you are requiring the services of an experienced attorney, you are probably trying to figure out how much a lawyer is going to cost you. It is very difficult to determine how much a lawyer, and your overall  case, is going to cost upfront. There is no clear answer as to how much work is going to be involved on the lawyer's part. However, a lawyer will sometimes provide an estimate, along with their hourly fee, or ask for a retainer from you (and if the fees go over this amount, you will be required to pay for them). In any case, you are going to want to do what you can to keep your legal expenses to a minimum. Here are a few tips:

Tip #1: Hire the Right Lawyer from the Get-Go.

The last thing you want to do is to hire a lawyer only to find out that they're incompetent, leading you to have to fire them and find a new one to hire. So, make sure you get it right the first go-around by looking for a lawyer who is experienced in your particular field, interested in your business and/or situation, and attentive to your needs. One way to help ensure you are hiring the right attorney is to make a list of a few different attorneys who match your qualifications on paper and schedule a meeting with them (usually these consultations are free). 

Tip #2: Keep Phone Calls Short and to a Minimum.

Yes, you may be extremely overwhelmed and worried about your situation, especially if you have never been involved with the law before. However, it is important that you realize the meter is constantly running when you are dealing with your lawyer. Avoid calling your attorney every time you have a question. Instead, right down your questions on a piece of paper or in a Word document on your computer. Once you have several of them, then call your attorney and ask them all at one time. Unless you have an emergency, designate a certain day of the week to phone your attorney with your questions or concerns.

Tip #3: Always Review Your Billings.

When you receive a bill from your lawyer, you will want to go over it carefully. You are paying a lot of money for your attorney's time, so you want to ensure that the bill is correct. Mistakes can often be made, so if you find out, make sure to let your lawyer know. Also, make sure that the statement spells out what each item is for rather than a generic phrase like "Litigation work". You want to be able to keep up with exactly what your money has been used on. 

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