WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHILE CHOOSING AN ATTORNEY?

If you seek an attorney to represent you in a case, know that this is the most crucial decision you make that will impact the verdict of your case. This is true for cases in all departments and especially cases that fall under civil law.

Cases that fall under this category can be especially sensitive as you will need a certain level of personal comfort with this lawyer. Civil law deals with contacts, property, and family-related cases, which are incredibly personal and complex. This is why choosing an attorney to represent your case needs careful considerations.

The following are some of the factors that you must base your decision of choosing an appropriate attorney on-

1. FIELD OF EXPERTISE-

It is essential for your selected attorney not just to be a practicing civil attorney but to have specific expertise in the field of your case. Suppose your case is related to marriage, divorce, or custody of a child, and your lawyer is a civil attorney that primarily deals with property disputes. In that case, you might want to give some serious thought before you select them. This is especially true if your case is related to domestic violence or abusive behavior because, in these areas, an attorney's experience in dealing with parties that have committed crimes like these can be precious.

2. PRICE RANGE-

Ensure that you do not blindly go for the best in desperation without considering the affordability quotient. Civil cases usually have a higher scope of going on for a longer time. Cases like property disputes and divorce claims have a reputation of being dragged for months and sometimes years. Remember that you will be paying this lawyer regularly for as long as the case is proceeding. So have open communication about the payments and how regularly they would be paid. If the case involves a large amount of financial settlement from the opposite party, some lawyers choose to claim a percentage of it rather than receive regular payments. In this case, have a clear and mutually accepted idea of what that percentage (or range) would be.

3. THE EXPECTED AVAILABILITY OF THE ATTORNEY-

Often, people tend to go by the notion of 'the busier, the better when it comes to an attorney. People often go for busier attorneys because they tend to have a higher face value and experience. But with civil cases, you need the attorney to personally get to know you, your case, and your opponent through your perspective. For that matter, you need an attorney who can afford to make time for your case and meetings.

4. PAST RECORDS-

Ask questions about the attorney's cases before and what their verdicts were. You want an attorney who has successful records in cases similar to yours. If your case is about the custody of a child, go for a lawyer who has a good record in influencing verdicts about the same. This way, you can be assured that your case is in safe hands.

5. PERSONAL VALUES-

This one is mostly about your personal judgments. It is essential that your attorney understands your values and that you respect theirs. There should be a mutual understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Ideally, an attorney must not operate out of their personal values and beliefs while analyzing a case, and you must make sure it does not come in the way of your case either.

These were some factors that you must consider while choosing a suitable attorney for your case and ensuring that an efficient professional represent your case.

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Author: Gouri Menon