Questions & Answers
Answers to frequently asked questions from Thumbtack experts.
What is a personal injury lawyer?
A personal injury attorney fights for you if you have been injured physically, mentally, economically or in your reputation. This injury may be the result of the negligence or malice of another person, or it may be caused by a company, government or other entity. Personal injury lawyers specialize in torts, or tort law, such as car accidents, company misdemeanors, wrongful imprisonment, and more.
To qualify as a personal injury lawyer in the United States, a person must earn a bachelor's degree followed by a Doctor of Laws degree from a law school. Most states require a person to pass the bar exam to be licensed to practice law. Unlike many attorneys who require an advance payment, personal injury attorneys typically work on contingency fees. This means that instead of paying up front, they get an agreed percentage of the trades in case of a win.
What does a real estate attorney do?
A real estate attorney represents the client's best interest in all matters related to the sale, purchase and ownership of real estate. They are specialists in real estate law. In states that require a real estate attorney to close a real estate sale, the attorney must review and finalize all documents before the transaction can be legally completed. Real estate lawyers also help clients legally protect their rights when entering into, exiting or renegotiating a real estate deal. You can hire a real estate attorney as a natural or legal person. A real estate lawyer can help with negotiations, resolving mortgage fraud, managing foreclosures and bankruptcy, transfers of title and deeds, property disputes, zoning issues, drafting a joint ownership agreement to buy property together, and much more. Real estate lawyers can also protect you from problems that arise when a known problem has not been properly disclosed by the previous owner. In general, real estate attorneys are an extra cost when it comes to buying and selling real estate, but they also make sure that your best interests are taken care of and that you and those you do business with follow the law.
What lawyer draws up wills?
No one likes to talk about death, but it's better than letting your children or siblings sort out your fortune. A clearly planned will can make grieving easier for anyone. A real estate solicitor will draw up a legal will, create trusts in your name and ensure that your estate is properly taken over after your death.
Family and estate attorneys, also known as probate and testament attorneys, can draw up wills. The type of lawyer best suited to prepare a will depends on your situation. Most family lawyers provide basic will services, including leaving property and personal belongings to the family or appointing a guardian for minor children. However, estate attorneys specialize in drafting wills in more complex situations. Consider hiring a real estate attorney if:
- Having a large number of assets, especially those subject to property tax
- You want to create a trust, such as allowing your spouse to live in your home until they die and then leave it to your children or create long-term care for a beneficiary
- Owning shares in a company
- Waiting for someone to challenge your will
- You want to disinherit your spouse
What does an immigration lawyer do?
Immigration lawyers help their clients through all stages of the immigration process. Immigration law experts are legally qualified to represent U.S. citizens, permanent residents or illegal immigrants. Immigration lawyers also assist visitors here on student, work or travel visas and can represent clients whose visa has expired or has passed its expiration date.
You can hire an immigration attorney to help you apply for permanent residency or renew your green card, go through the naturalization process, apply for an employee work visa, complete an application for a family member, or represent yourself or a loved one facing detention or deportation, and to exchange, extend or amend your current visa, green card or work permit. The immigration process is very complex, involving multiple audiences, bureaucracy and requirements. Hiring a legal expert to represent you can help you get the most out of this process. When looking for immigration lawyers, it is very important to verify their qualifications and find a reputable lawyer. Read reviews andmake sure the immigration attorney is licensed by your statebefore paying any fees.
What should you look for in a personal injury lawyer?
A personal injury solicitor will defend your rights if you have been injured in an accident at work or in your daily life, suffered medical malpractice or are struggling to get covered by an insurance company. It may be helpful to talk to two or three lawyers before choosing one. When looking for a personal injury lawyer, check their reviews and see if past clients have had a good experience with them. Next, make sure the personal injury lawyer has experience and a proven track record of success in cases similar to yours. Confirm that the attorney is licensed to provide services in your state. Once you find a qualified personal injury attorney you want to work with, feel free to discuss salary and fees before starting any work. Most solicitors offer a free consultation to find out what your case is about and explain their fees. Personal injury lawyers are usually paid a percentage of the settlement (called a fallback fee), so they are paid after the trial or case is over. Keep in mind that some lawyers charge fees that you must pay even if you don't win the case. It is important to understand these details before starting work so that you do not have unpleasant surprises later. Finally, it is wise to choose a personal injury attorney you trust and with whom you can communicate openly and honestly.
How do I find a good real estate attorney?
If buying or selling real estate seems overwhelming and the idea of finding a good real estate attorney seems daunting, you're in luck. There are a few simple steps you need to take to find a reliable and affordable real estate attorney to help with your real estate and legal needs.
- Determine what type of real estate attorney you need. Many states require a real estate attorney to handle the sale closing papers. For more complex cases, such as a failed real estate transaction or foreclosure, you'll want to find an attorney who has successfully handled cases like yours.
- Search online for reviews of real estate lawyers in your area. Make sure they have a track record of closing or winning cases like yours and have a good reputation with the state bar.
- Choose two or three lawyers to talk to. Many offer a free consultation to understand your case and provide information about fees. For standard property foreclosure services, in-depth interviews may not be necessary.
- Ask about their fees and if they charge by the hour or provide fixed fee services. Ask if a down payment is necessary and what the total bill should be in a case like yours.
- Ask for a description of the services that will be covered by the expected costs.
- Make sure you like the real estate agent and that they treat you with respect. Confirm that he or someone else will be working on your case and make sure you are comfortable with all team members.
- Pay the advance and hire a lawyer.
How much does a bankruptcy attorney cost?
Hourly rates for bankruptcy attorneys range from200-300 $. In total, customers spend an average of $999 to $1,183 on their services. But since attorneys have different fee structures, you should always ask for an estimate of severalbankruptcy attorneys in your areabefore hiring one.
How do lawyers make money if they lose a case?
Lawyers usually charge for their time (usually an hourly rate) whether or not they win a case. Sometimes the losing party is required to pay the other party's attorneys' fees in addition to their own. Some solicitors also operate under fallback mode, meaning they will only receive a percentage of the awarded amount if they win their case.
Before you hire an attorney, make sure you understand their fee structure.
How do I find a good immigration lawyer?
Research is key to finding a good immigration attorney. The immigration process can be overwhelming and complex, so a credible ombudsman is crucial. After identifying several eligible candidates,check your immigration law licenseto protect yourself and your finances. Once you have a pool of licensed immigration lawyers in mind, choose one based on the following considerations:
- Mutual Respect: You want an immigration attorney who treats you and your family with kindness and consideration. You will do the same for them.
- Availability: Before hiring, check that they responded quickly to your emails and phone calls. You don't want to hire someone you have to go after.
- Proven Success: Read previous customer reviews and study their success rate for cases similar to yours.
- Transparent Fees: Ask directly what their fees are, how they charge, and what their attorney fees will be estimated to be. Ask if they will sign a fee agreement and receive receipts for all fees paid.
- Find out who will handle your case: Junior attorneys sometimes work on corporate cases. It's fine as long as you've talked about it and are comfortable with it. When junior attorneys or paralegals handle your case, ask if the hourly rate is lower.
- Beware of those who promise concrete results: no case is certain and an immigration lawyer should be honest about what you can expect.
For more information, see our tips onsmart hiring on Thumbtack.
When should I hire a divorce lawyer?
It is worth hiring a divorce lawyer in situations where it is difficult to reach an agreement with your spouse or if you want to better understand your rights. This covers a wide range of difficult questions, with typical examples:
- Child custody and alimony
- long
- Future goods as inheritance
- Current assets such as homes, cars and valuables
You have tohire a lawyerif you and your spouse are having difficulty agreeing on terms on how to deal with these issues.