How to Save Money When Using an Attorney

Attorneys’ fees do not have to be expensive if you perform some comparison shopping before deciding what lawyer to go with. As most initial consultations are free, there is nothing to lose by speaking to a good number of attorneys before making a decision. Once an attorney is selected, there are many simple steps clients can take to minimize legal fees. Active involvement in your own case will make saving money as easy as one, two, three.

Cost-Saving Steps

Be organized: Prepare for all meetings with your attorney. Write down questions prior to meetings, take notes, and then file away the notes. This way, you will not have to ask the attorney to repeat information that has already been given. If there are documents that need to be reviewed, make sure the attorney has the information beforehand so the file can be carefully examined prior to the telephone conference or meeting. This saves time and money, as the attorney will not need to spend time glancing over the documents during the conference. Do your best to help your attorney be prepared.
Devise a filing system: Request that the law office to forward you copies of all correspondence such as letters and faxes. File all correspondence chronologically in a folder, with the most recent documents on top. You will also receive copies of filed pleadings, which should be filed chronologically in a separate folder, according to the stamped file endorsed date on the document. It might be a good idea to make an index of the filed pleadings to keep track of where you are at in your case. Also, have a third folder for notes. The contents can consist of drafts of pleadings, rough drafts of various documents, personal correspondence between you and your attorney, and personal notes you jot down during meetings or telephone calls with your attorney.
Use the attorney’s time effectively: Tell your attorney that you are willing to do as much as possible to help the case along. Give the attorney as much information as you can and perform basic tasks yourself. For example, try to obtain copies of documents such as bank and credit card statements, birth certificates, or tax returns on your own and make copies for the attorney. This way, you save money because the attorney neither has to spend time drafting documents nor make copies for the file. Or, if it is necessary to draft a contract, try to outline a rough draft for the attorney so that he or she does not have to spend time working on it from scratch. Do not leave routine tasks for your attorney to complete.
Be informed: There are numerous companies that publish do-it-yourself law books. Nolo Press is a very popular one that publishes self-help books on just about every legal subject. Educate yourself on your legal issue by browsing Web sites and reading books. As the law is constantly updated to meet the needs of the changing times, there are frequently articles updating various aspects of the law that may pertain to your case. If you do come across relevant articles, forward a copy to your attorney. Law may be complicated, but with a little dedication, most legal concepts can be grasped by the layperson.
Attorneys’ Fees: Attorneys bill for their services in many different ways. Plan a budget and, during the initial consultation, discuss how much you can afford to ensure the attorney will be able to produce results within the price range. Make sure you discuss the preferred billing method with the attorney, when the details are agreed upon; a fee agreement should be drafted and signed by all parties. Ask for detailed, itemized bills to be sent to you each month, go over the charges carefully and make sure all of the charges are valid. When utilizing the services of a large law firm, if a young associate is assigned to the case, make sure that the novice attorney is not billing more to draft documents that a more experienced attorney can do in less time. Do not pay for an inexperienced attorney to obtain legal knowledge by working on your case. If there are any questions, make sure to contact the attorney immediately.
Set up regular meetings: Whether it be over the phone or in person, it is a good idea to meet your attorney for five or ten minutes each month to make sure your case is on track. In addition, setting up scheduled meetings eliminates the potential for insignificant legal problems to grow into disasters. Also, if you make contact with your attorney on a regular basis, this will alleviate some anxiety and reduce the need for frantic clients to waste money by calling the attorney countless times each day.

Use support staff wisely: If the law firm bills by the minute, it is a good money saver to ask legal secretaries to pass on information instead of requesting to speak directly with the attorney.

Working With Your Attorney

Determine what it is your want the attorney to do. Some people represent themselves in court cases and only use attorneys to help draft correspondence and other legal documents when necessary. There are also others who hire attorneys to coach them when they must go to a hearing. If initial self-representation does not achieve the desired results, people typically retain the attorney to work on the case.

Be honest. Unless it is a dire situation, your attorney is obligated to preserve attorney client confidentiality. Make sure you openly answer all of the attorney’s questions. By giving your attorney all of the information from the outset, the attorney will be able to properly devise the best strategy for your case. Dishonesty will not get you the results you want. Update your attorney as soon as something changes.

Be direct and to the point. While it may be imperative to form a relationship with your attorney, remember, it should be more of a business relationship, not a personal one. If a case is ongoing for a while, you will get to know your attorney better. Limit the friendly banter if you are billed in minute increments. Before calling, make sure you have several relevant questions ready so you do not have to call over and over. You are paying for every minute of your attorney’s time, so use it wisely.

By Cindy Liu





	How to Save Money When Using an Attorney Attorneys’ fees do not have to be expensive if you perform some comparison shopping before deciding what lawyer to go with. As most initial consultations are free, there is nothing to lose by speaking to a good number of attorneys before making a decision. Once an attorney is selected, there are many simple steps clients can take to minimize legal fees. Active involvement in your own case will make saving money as easy as one, two, three. Cost-Saving Steps Be organized: Prepare for all meetings with your attorney. Write down questions prior to meetings, take notes, and then file away the notes. This way, you will not have to ask the attorney to repeat information that has already been given. If there are documents that need to be reviewed, make sure the attorney has the information beforehand so the file can be carefully examined prior to the telephone conference or meeting. This saves time and money, as the attorney will not need to spend time glancing over the documents during the conference. Do your best to help your attorney be prepared. Devise a filing system: Request that the law office to forward you copies of all correspondence such as letters and faxes. File all correspondence chronologically in a folder, with the most recent documents on top. You will also receive copies of filed pleadings, which should be filed chronologically in a separate folder, according to the stamped file endorsed date on the document. It might be a good idea to make an index of the filed pleadings to keep track of where you are at in your case. Also, have a third folder for notes. The contents can consist of drafts of pleadings, rough drafts of various documents, personal correspondence between you and your attorney, and personal notes you jot down during meetings or telephone calls with your attorney. Use the attorney’s time effectively: Tell your attorney that you are willing to do as much as possible to help the case along. Give the attorney as much information as you can and perform basic tasks yourself. For example, try to obtain copies of documents such as bank and credit card statements, birth certificates, or tax returns on your own and make copies for the attorney. This way, you save money because the attorney neither has to spend time drafting documents nor make copies for the file. Or, if it is necessary to draft a contract, try to outline a rough draft for the attorney so that he or she does not have to spend time working on it from scratch. Do not leave routine tasks for your attorney to complete. Be informed: There are numerous companies that publish do-it-yourself law books. Nolo Press is a very popular one that publishes self-help books on just about every legal subject. Educate yourself on your legal issue by browsing Web sites and reading books. As the law is constantly updated to meet the needs of the changing times, there are frequently articles updating various aspects of the law that may pertain to your case. If you do come across relevant articles, forward a copy to your attorney. Law may be complicated, but with a little dedication, most legal concepts can be grasped by the layperson. Attorneys’ Fees: Attorneys bill for their services in many different ways. Plan a budget and, during the initial consultation, discuss how much you can afford to ensure the attorney will be able to produce results within the price range. Make sure you discuss the preferred billing method with the attorney, when the details are agreed upon; a fee agreement should be drafted and signed by all parties. Ask for detailed, itemized bills to be sent to you each month, go over the charges carefully and make sure all of the charges are valid. When utilizing the services of a large law firm, if a young associate is assigned to the case, make sure that the novice attorney is not billing more to draft documents that a more experienced attorney can do in less time. Do not pay for an inexperienced attorney to obtain legal knowledge by working on your case. If there are any questions, make sure to contact the attorney immediately. Set up regular meetings: Whether it be over the phone or in person, it is a good idea to meet your attorney for five or ten minutes each month to make sure your case is on track. In addition, setting up scheduled meetings eliminates the potential for insignificant legal problems to grow into disasters. Also, if you make contact with your attorney on a regular basis, this will alleviate some anxiety and reduce the need for frantic clients to waste money by calling the attorney countless times each day. Use support staff wisely: If the law firm bills by the minute, it is a good money saver to ask legal secretaries to pass on information instead of requesting to speak directly with the attorney. Working With Your Attorney Determine what it is your want the attorney to do. Some people represent themselves in court cases and only use attorneys to help draft correspondence and other legal documents when necessary. There are also others who hire attorneys to coach them when they must go to a hearing. If initial self-representation does not achieve the desired results, people typically retain the attorney to work on the case. Be honest. Unless it is a dire situation, your attorney is obligated to preserve attorney client confidentiality. Make sure you openly answer all of the attorney’s questions. By giving your attorney all of the information from the outset, the attorney will be able to properly devise the best strategy for your case. Dishonesty will not get you the results you want. Update your attorney as soon as something changes. Be direct and to the point. While it may be imperative to form a relationship with your attorney, remember, it should be more of a business relationship, not a personal one. If a case is ongoing for a while, you will get to know your attorney better. Limit the friendly banter if you are billed in minute increments. Before calling, make sure you have several relevant questions ready so you do not have to call over and over. You are paying for every minute of your attorney’s time, so use it wisely. By Cindy Liu
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