Top Five Things to Look for When Hiring a Lawyer

Many of life’s stages require paperwork and legal assistance. Perhaps you’re buying or selling a home, starting a new business, writing your will or establishing adult guardianship for you or someone in your life. During such times a lawyer is your best resource as he/she offers professional advice and navigates through the legal system on your behalf. They will handle the legal paperwork and protect your interest.

To help you find the right professional for your needs, here are the top five things to look for when hiring a lawyer:

Location: A lawyer is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction. Check with your attorney if he/she is licensed to practice in your area. Also, check the distance between you and your lawyer’s office. It’s always wise to work with an attorney that is nearest to you.

Accessibility: There should be ease of access to your lawyer. Is your attorney available on call? Or does he/she reply within a day? You might have a lot of following up to do after your first meetings as you’re dealing with legal matters. Hire a lawyer that is within your reach and reverts as soon as possible.

Informed Decision: All legal matters require a thorough understanding of the situation and laws related to it. Your lawyer should take all the affairs of your case and clarify all options so that you can make an informed decision. Work with an attorney that guides you and educates you through every step of your case.

Clear communication: Is your lawyer a good listener? Is he/she clear and concise when communicating with you about your case? Choose a lawyer that has excellent communication skills so that you have a clear understanding of the legal process during your lawyer-client relationship.

One-on-one service: Are you talking to your lawyer or a paralegal? Paralegals are restricted from providing legal advice to a client. They are not licensed to practice law but serve a supporting role to lawyers by providing research, preparing documents, managing records, and recording certain formal statements that might be useful to your case. Work directly with your lawyer so that your legal matters are resolved quickly.

If you’re looking for a corporate, real estate, or wills and estate lawyer in Edmonton, Alberta or surrounding areas, contact Meikle Osgood.

Meikle Osgood law firm specializes in wills, estate planning, guardianship and trusteeship, real estate, corporate law and commercial law. To learn more about the services provided by Meikle Osgood, please click here.