If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you may be facing loss of your driver’s license, fines, Drug & Alcohol Education classes, community service or jail time. An experienced criminal defense attorney who is well-versed in Pennsylvania DUI law will protect your rights and guide you through the process. The following tips and questions can give you the knowledge you need to choose wisely.
First Steps to Take Ask around for recommendations and search the internet for attorneys you are interested in hiring. Once you have narrowed it down to a few, call to set up an appointment for a meeting. Make sure to bring any court documentation, bail papers, police reports and other relevant documents. Background & Experience There are different types of criminal defense lawyers, so it’s important to learn about an attorney’s specific background and experience. Consider asking:
Case Assessment Before an attorney can give you feedback about your options, he or she needs to understand the charges and evidence. Answer any questions an attorney asks you with candor. Once you have talked about your case, ask these questions:
Some additional relevant questions you may want to ask include:
Legal Fees Most DUI lawyers charge an hourly rate or will litigate your case for a flat fee. Fees do not always cover everything, so it is important to be clear about how you will be charged to avoid surprises down the road. Hiring a DUI Attorney After meeting with the DUI attorneys on your list, you will want to make a decision in a timely manner so he or she can start working on your case. If you hit it off with one of the lawyers on your list and you’re confident that they are qualified to represent you, go for it. If not, a few questions to ask yourself may be:
This blog was originally posted at http://carosella.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-legal-separation/.
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Divorce is sometimes an arduous and painful process that can have a significant impact on individuals and families. Each state has different procedures you and your attorney must follow to file for divorce, so it is essential to engage the counsel of an experienced divorce attorney who is familiar with current family law, rules and cases that may apply to your divorce.
Questions to Ask at Your First Consultation with a Divorce Attorney Asking questions and gaining knowledge of necessary procedures can help to ease the complicated financial and emotional burdens divorce can present, and prepare you for what lies ahead. This list of questions regarding issues related to divorce can help you learn the vital information you may need to understand what may be involved in your case. 1. Qualifications: Is divorce your specialty? How long have you been practicing family law? How many cases have you handled? Have you ever handled a case similar to mine? 2. Strategy & Duration of Time: What is your strategy for my case? How long do you think it will take will it take to come to a resolution? 3. Availability: Are you readily available to take phone calls in case of an emergency? What do you consider to be an emergency? 4. Individuals Involved in Your Case: Will any other lawyers be working on my case? What is their experience? Can I meet them ahead of time? 5. Fee Structure: What is your fee structure? Will you be charging an hourly rate or a fixed fee? What is your hourly rate? What do you require for a retainer? What is the rate for the time I spend with other legal professionals in your office? Will I be charged for phone calls? 6. Additional Costs: What additional costs may be involved if you need to hire private investigators, forensic accountants, or psychologists, etc.? 7. Keeping Costs Down: How can I keep the cost of my divorce down? Are there any tasks that I can do myself to save money? 8. Potential Outcomes: Based on what you know about my case, what do you think the best possible outcome could be? The worst? 9. Splitting Assets & Alimony: What are the legalities of splitting marital assets is in my state? Am I entitled to alimony or will I have to pay? 10. Tax Implications: What will be the tax implications of my financial decisions regarding the divorce? 11. Custody & Child Support: If children are involved, what do I need to do to increase my chances of gaining custody? What are your recommendations for how custody should be split (or not)? How much child support can expect to get or will I have to pay? 12. Alternatives to Court Proceedings: Will you allow me to negotiate directly with my spouse? Would you recommend trying mediation or arbitration before going to trial? Engaging the services of seasoned divorce attorneys who will fight to protect your interests can help to make going through a divorce easier. Our legal team in West Chester, Chester County, and Media, Delaware County will guide you through the process step-by-step and help you understand the ins and outs of divorce procedure. This blog was originally posted at http://carosella.com/12-questions-to-ask-a-divorce-attorney/. |
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