Are You Unsure Whether To Hire A Lawyer? Eight Points To Help You Make A Decision.

Have you never been to a lawyer before or have you already had bad experiences with a lawyer? Don’t you know whether to hire a lawyer again or at all? Do you shy away from the costs and think you’d try it without a lawyer first?

Here are eight points to help you make a decision. So you know what to look out for and what to expect when you hire a lawyer.

First of all, in my legal practice I always find that there is no substitute for sound legal advice. Many problems only arise afterwards because the client did not have sufficient legal knowledge, but initially tried to represent himself. Nowadays the Internet provides a lot of information for non-lawyers, but unfortunately often only half-truths and precisely not tailored to the client’s individual problem. If this information is used incorrectly, it usually makes the problem worse instead of improving or solving it. If the client first represents himself and only comes to me when further problems arise or he can no longer help himself at all, the child has unfortunately often already fallen into the well.

Then I can only try to save the situation, but then often it is no longer possible to achieve the best possible. Therefore, as a lawyer, I of course always advise you to get sound legal advice as soon as possible. Better to see a lawyer once too early than too late.

Of course, now you might be thinking, as a lawyer, it makes a living, you have to say that. That’s right, I make a living from it, but I point out that without a lawyer you may lose more money than you should, or you may not receive any money even though you are entitled to it. For example, a client who had received notice from his employer and, unfortunately, had been thinking for a long time about whether to hire a lawyer; this specially happens in the case of divorce lawyer. Unfortunately, exactly four days too long. The deadline for the dismissal protection suit three weeks had expired, even though the termination would have been ineffective. If he had called me right away, I would have arranged a quick initial consultation with him. A pure initial consultation as a consumer would then have only cost him $ 200 plus VAT. So he lost a lot of money.

1. An initial consultation is always helpful and costs little in relation to what you could lose

Never be afraid to go to a lawyer for an initial consultation. The initial consultation serves to check your legal situation in its entirety and you will be told in concrete terms what legal problems and possible solutions there are for you. You will learn what to do further and whether and how you could act yourself. The lawyer will explain to you what the costs will be if you involve him with your representation. Only you then decide on the basis of this information whether you would prefer to continue acting yourself or involve the lawyer with your representation. You are always the man or woman of your case, at any point in the mandate relationship with the lawyer.

2. Don’t wait too long before you decide to see a lawyer

Time is money is the popular saying. This often also applies in the legal field. Don’t wait too long to contact a lawyer. There are often deadlines that you have to adhere to, otherwise you will lose your rights, for example in the event of a dismissal protection suit, expiry periods in an employment contract or, for example, after receiving an ordinary notice of termination of your apartment regarding your objection. Even if the other side only gives you deadlines, you should never wait for them to expire.

The quick legal advice ensures that you protect your rights, unnecessary processes can usually be prevented and it also creates time for you to decide what you really want to do.

3. How do you find the right lawyer for you?

First of all, it is important for you to find a lawyer who is familiar with the area of ??law that is relevant to you.

Whether you need a lawyer specializing in labor law, tenancy law, traffic law, banking law or another area of ??law depends on the legal problem to be solved. A lawyer specializing in traffic law is not familiar with labor law, while a lawyer specializing in inheritance law is not familiar with tenancy law. Check out the websites of the lawyers you know. Do they work in the area of ??law and were you satisfied with the lawyer? Call that lawyer. Simply ask him, for example, in which area of ??law your problem falls, whether he is actively working on this area of ??law and / or whether he can otherwise recommend a good lawyer.

Ask your friends and acquaintances whether they might know a lawyer whom you can recommend and whom you were satisfied with. Look on the Internet which client reviews there are about a lawyer.

Call the lawyer and see if you like his secretariat and the lawyer himself on the phone. Do you have a bad feeling on the phone or even during the initial consultation? You don’t have to stick with this lawyer. Then you may have spent $ 200 plus VAT. If only the chemistry is wrong with the lawyer, at least you already know what the legal problem is and you can always call in another lawyer. Yes, in my opinion, the chemistry between lawyer and client has to be right, because after all, it is a relationship of trust. If you don’t trust this lawyer, this lawyer may just not suit you.

4. Ask the lawyer what the likely costs will be

Of course, you want to know what the likely costs will be when you hire the lawyer to represent you. The lawyer must inform you of the likely costs of your matter. It depends on how the lawyer settles. Either according to the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act, then the costs are determined within the scope of your fee dispute value according to a fixed table as well as the scope and difficulty of the legal services, the importance of the matter and the financial situation. Depending on the matter, the lawyer also bills according to hourly fees or flat rates. You must also be informed here.

It is perfectly normal for lawyers to ask about the costs so please do so too.

5. What to do if you have legal protection insurance?

If you have legal protection insurance, this covers the costs of the lawyer according to Lawyers Remuneration Act, if it is a legal protection case.

It makes sense that you call your legal protection insurance before the appointment with the lawyer, briefly describe the problem and obtain the cover letter for an initial consultation. Obtain a claim number and a written confirmation that the legal protection insurance will pay for the lawyer’s initial consultation. Ask if you have a deductible and how much it is. This deductible is the cost that you have to pay yourself. Ask whether this deductible also applies if you only take an initial consultation.

6. How should you prepare for the meeting with the lawyer and what do you need to bring with you to the appointment?

Find all the documents you have about your case. This really means all the documents. All contracts, additions to the contract, letters that you have received or have written, etc. If in doubt, ask the lawyer what you should bring with you when you make an appointment for a meeting. The lawyer must be fully informed by you, for this he needs all your documents. Because only then can he guarantee the best possible advice.

In labor law, when you receive a notice of termination, you should, for example, bring with you in any case: employment contract, annexes to the employment contract, changes to the employment contract, salary increase letters or other letters in which the employer has notified changes to the conditions, admonition or warning letters, pay slips for the last twelve months, Cancellation letters, letters accompanying the cancellation and other correspondence that appears important to you.

When it comes to tenancy law, you should always bring with you: tenancy agreement, changes or additions to the tenancy agreement, rent increases, the last utility bill, warnings, termination. If the point is that the tenant has not paid, proof of payment, e.g., bank statements and a list of the rent that has not been paid or has been paid at all.

If there is already a legal proceeding, bring all briefs and letters along with the attachments to the lawyer.

If you have legal protection insurance, these insurance documents and, ideally, already the cover letter from your insurance company.

I always ask my clients to sort these documents by date before they come to me. This is important for the client, because when you are sorting things out, you often notice something that is important and has already been forgotten. And nothing is more annoying and prevents you from actually consulting than when the lawyer first has to sort out the documents.

In principle, it always makes sense if you also prepare a brief overview / bullet points before the consultation, which is important from your point of view in your case. For example, if you are accused of why they are unfounded and what speaks against them. Whether or not the dates given by the other party are correct, etc. Whether you have made payments when the other party claims it has not, and if so, when it was and how it can be proven. You can also think about which witnesses you may have who can confirm what you say and write down their first and last name and address.

Make a list of what you want to ask the lawyer and ask him too. Every lawyer will answer your questions and there are no stupid or weird questions. It is the job of every lawyer to answer questions of all kinds on a daily basis. He will neither be surprised at this nor understand it.

7. Trust your lawyer

The relationship with your lawyer should and must be one of trust. The lawyer, even his employees, are bound to absolute secrecy. In return, every lawyer rightly expects that his client is also open and does not conceal, gloss over or even tell him any important points. Only if you deal openly and trustingly with your lawyer can you expect him to act for you in the best possible way. Take the chance.

8. What is the content of a consultation

In the first consultation, the lawyer will clarify all legal points of your matter with you and what your chances of success are. He will answer all of your questions, so that you understand everything. A good lawyer will also tell you if he sees no prospect of success and therefore advise you against a dispute. He will explain the individual steps of his activity to you and of course inform you about the costs that will be incurred.

If you decide to trust the lawyer and use him for your representation, he will represent you externally, either out of court vis–vis the opponent and / and in court this should not be avoided in your favor. He will also inform you comprehensively about the status of your matter at any time, be it by telephone or in writing.