WHEN AND HOW TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A LAWYER

Most people, at least in the Philippines, are averse to seeing lawyer because of the misconception that they will be spending a lot of money. They just ignore, or worse, try to solve their legal problems and approach a lawyer only when things become more difficult and complicated. So, when is it best to see a lawyer?

The best time to seek professional legal advice is before your legal problem gets out of hand. Lawyers can provide you advice on how to effectively deal with your legal problem even before it gets too complicated and would need to be litigated in court. There’s a saying that a good lawyer wins cases in court, but the best ones prevent disputes from reaching the court. Lawyers are no different from doctors in this regard. When we feel something’s wrong, we see a doctor immediately. Self-medication is dangerous and could even be deadly. Seeing a doctor (or dentist) early can definitely prevent afflictions from getting worse and requiring surgery. The same is true for legal problems. Seeing a lawyer early can save you from litigation and more costly legal expenses. Please bear in mind though that before you seek legal advice, make sure your concern is a legal matter.

Seeing a lawyer, just like a doctor or a dentist, will of course entail some expense. They all charge consultation fees. However, contrary to existing beliefs, consulting with a lawyer will not cost you that much. Even large law firms do not charge exorbitant fees for consultation. More importantly, there are ways by which you can make your visit to your lawyer less costly and more efficient. Here are some tips to help you make your meeting with the lawyer efficient, effective, and less costly:

Do your own research – There are lots of materials in the internet today that can provide you with information on the legal matter you wish to consult a lawyer with. Just make sure that the facts of the cases you read are the same as the facts of your legal problem. But then, be careful not to make any conclusion or decision immediately as only a legal professional can do that for you. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Doing your own research will make you understand your lawyer’s advice easier and faster.

Prepare the facts. Be truthful. – Most, if not all lawyers base their consultation fees on time spent and how complicated the legal matter is. Abraham Lincoln correctly said: A lawyer’s time and advice are his stock in trade. It will be more efficient if you could provide the lawyer with a written concise and chronological narration of all the facts surrounding your problem. This will save you a lot of time. More importantly, it will prevent you from forgetting some details that could help the lawyer give you effective advice. Always be truthful to your lawyer. Never lie or withhold facts from your lawyer. Doing so will make you end up in a deeper hole.

Prepare your questions and take down notes – Write down all your questions so that you won’t forget anything. It will make your consultation more effective as the lawyer will know exactly what your concerns are. You should also take down notes so that you will not forget the lawyer’s advice.

Make your objective known – When you approach a lawyer, it will be best to tell him or her what your objectives are. There are several ways in approaching a particular legal issue or problem. Making your objective/s known will enable the lawyer to know how to best tackle your problem and thus give you appropriate advice based on your objective. This will save a lot of time.

Have your documents ready – It will be best to have all the documents pertaining to your legal problem prepared when you see your lawyer. Provide him with photocopies of each document bound or fastened in a folder. That way, it will be easier for the lawyer to peruse and understand your problem and therefore save you time and money.

Don’t be shy to ask – It is perfectly alright, and it is highly recommended, that you first ask the lawyer how much he/she charges for consultation. That way, you can compare fees and select your lawyer knowing how much you will need to prepare. You should also ask the lawyer for his area of expertise or practice and make sure your query is within his area of expertise. Don’t be shy to ask for the lawyer’s experience on the legal matter you have.

Avail of free professional legal advice – If you really cannot afford the services of counsel, you may go to the Public Attorneys Office (PAO), the local Integrated Bar of the Philippines chapter in your place, or the free legal aid clinic of a law school near you. They are competent and can give you legal advice for free.

Now that you know when and how to effectively engage a lawyer, the next question would be who to engage. Just like in choosing a doctor, it is always best to engage the services of a lawyer whom you trust most and are most comfortable with, as long as your problem is within his area of practice and experience. As much as possible, the lawyer must be someone you personally know, or someone recommended by a friend or relative who has personally dealt with the lawyer before.

Finally, please bear in mind that not all legal problems can be singlehandedly solved by a lawyer. Lawyers do not have magic wands that can make all your legal woes disappear.

I am ending this article with a wish for you – May you never find yourself in a situation where you will need the help of a lawyer.