| Many people think that getting the services of an | | | | not always guarantee that you get the quality of |
| attorney for the family on a long-term basis means | | | | service you desire. |
| keeping a legal counsel on retainer. However, hiring a | | | | However, you can ensure that an attorney can serve |
| long-term family attorney has its advantages. For | | | | your interests and protect your rights by asking |
| many people, a long-term family attorney is helpful in | | | | yourself the following questions before hiring a |
| many ways. | | | | long-term family attorney: |
| One of the main purposes of getting a family attorney | | | | 1. What level of involvement do I want when dealing |
| is to avoid searching frantically for one when the need | | | | with a case? Do I want to be consulted from time to |
| arises. Another thing, you do not have to deal with a | | | | time? Or do I want to be involved fully? |
| different attorney each time you have a dispute to | | | | 2. What are my priorities? Do I want my attorney to |
| settle, whether at work or within the family. Your | | | | be more concerned about protecting my business or |
| long-time family attorney knows your history and can | | | | my family? |
| be very knowledgeable about your issues. | | | | 3. Am I willing to seek alternative dispute resolutions |
| Hiring a long-term family attorney from a reputable law | | | | such as mediation or arbitration rather than pursue a |
| firm is a wise decision. You need not worry about the | | | | case in court? |
| cost of hiring an attorney for the family. A long-term | | | | 4. Is the cost of getting a family attorney a major |
| family attorney can be paid on an hourly basis. There | | | | issue? |
| are also attorneys who take cases and work for | | | | After finally deciding that you need the services of a |
| families on a pro bono basis. In California, for example, | | | | long-term family attorney, it is time to select your |
| attorneys are required to devote certain hours each | | | | choice. If you have narrowed down your choices of |
| year to pro bono cases. | | | | an attorney to hire, here are questions you should ask |
| You can choose a long-term attorney for the family | | | | an attorney before settling down. |
| through the following ways: | | | | • What is the attorney’s fee agreement? Can |
| • Referral from friends – A friend or a family | | | | you arrange on a case-to-case basis or an hourly |
| member is a good source of information on how to | | | | basis of payment? |
| find an attorney to serve as a long-term family legal | | | | • Has the attorney handled a similar case before? |
| counsel. A referral from friends or relatives who | | | | What is his area of expertise? |
| worked previously with an attorney may provide | | | | • How long has the attorney been in practice? Has |
| important information on an attorney’s background | | | | he handled trials of family cases before? |
| and credentials. | | | | • Will the attorney handle your case personally or |
| • By peer reviews - To know any information | | | | are other attorneys getting to be involved? |
| about an attorney, you can refer to attorneys’ | | | | Selecting an attorney is the first step toward |
| ratings review that is an important source of an | | | | protecting your family. Hiring an attorney from a |
| attorney’s credibility. | | | | reputable Los Angeles law firm will ensure that you |
| Choosing an attorney to serve the long-term legal | | | | get the long-term legal services you desire for your |
| needs of a family is never easy. Hiring attorney does | | | | family. |