No one wants to end up in a lawsuit, but sometimes people do. The courtroom can be bewildering and difficult to navigate on your own. Different types of cases require different kinds of lawyers with different expertise. If you are faced with a lawsuit, have a good lawyer by your side.
Civil Litigation Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How do I find a good lawyer?
A. Ask people you know. Schofield Law Group gets most of our clients through referrals. A website is informative, but it is essential that you interview attorneys before you hire them. Make sure they have experience doing exactly what you need.
Q. How much will it cost to file a lawsuit or defend against one?
A. It depends. If a lawsuit needs to be filed, most attorneys will charge by the hour. Some work on a contingency basis – meaning they will take a percentage of any award the plaintiff receives. Often the expense will be determined by how complex your issues are and how much a fight there is by the other side. It is impossible to predict the future, but an attorney should be able to at least tell you what he thinks the issues are that will drive the cost of the case. The more organized you are and the more information you have, the better for keeping costs down.
Q. How long will the lawsuit take?
A. Again, it depends. Sometimes cases can settle before a lawsuit gets filed. Sometimes cases get appealed and can take years. Anyone involved in a lawsuit should be prepared for it to take longer than they think. The judicial system is very slow moving. Attorneys do not have control of a court’s calendar. Clients often get frustrated with the time a lawsuit can take, so it is worth talking about your expectations with your attorney at the beginning.