In many cases, a lawyer is only required for a single case, and the client may never speak to them again after the case is closed. However, there are certain circumstances in which you should consider retaining a lawyer.
What Does Retaining a Lawyer Mean?
When you choose to retain a lawyer, basically you are hiring them for a longer-term relationship than one or two appearances. This typically involves paying them a certain flat flee with the rest of their estimated fee for your job put into a trust fund to continue to pay their salaries during your case. Retaining a lawyer ensures that they will have steady employment from you, and that they will continue to work on your case for at least the amount of time the retainer can pay for.
When Should I Retain a Lawyer?
There are many situations in which retaining a lawyer can help your case a great deal. Generally, the more there is at stake the more important it is to find and retain a skilled lawyer to help you sort the situation out to a satisfactory end.
You should seriously find yourself a lawyer to retain if you:
- Have been charged with a felony or other serious criminal offense.
- Are being sued by someone.
- Are sueing someone.
- Are involved in a case that has to do with breech of business contracts.
- If you are adopting a child.
- If you are writing or altering a will.
- If you are involved in a career that frequently involves disputed claims, such as insurence.
- If your opponent in a case, no matter what type, also has a lawyer.