How do you exactly quot;talk to a lawyerquot;? -

I hope this isn t too dumb of a question, but I m sure I m not the only one that feels this way. So many people say quot;talk to a lawyerquot;. Does that mean just searching the net for a random lawyer to pick their brain? Is talking to a lawyer free? Is it possible to just get consultation from a lawyer without actually having them representing you on some kind of case?

Pick up teh phone book and look at the listings. Many will consult with you on a general topic very inexpensivly or even free in the hope of developing you as a customer. You are under no obligation beyond that

Well, you normally need to talk to one in person in the place where you live. Abraham Lincoln said, the only thing a lawyer has to sell is his time and knowledge. So you can expect to pay for that. It s not like buying a tangible object, but buying legal advice. Oftentimes, people think, quot;well I could have done...quot; whatever the lawyer suggests. But that is really a mistake. You can take advantage of some free legal advice. Most state bars or local bar associations run pro bono programs, but there are strict limitations on the program. There may be law fairs where you live. If there is a criminal case, and it is a felony, and you qualify, you may be entitled to an attorney under the law. ** Note: This is a general discussion of the subject matter of your question and not legal advice. Local laws or your particular situation may change the general rules. For a specific answer to your question you should consult legal counsel with whom you can discuss all the facts of your case. **

when someone suggests you talk to a lawyer you need to find a lawyer who specialized in your issue. Best to call the state bar or local bar in your area and they will refer you to the correct type of lawyer you might need. Next, you call the lawyer to set up a consultation...many will do those for free without making you sign a retainer agreement.

Not dumb. Depending on your situation, look thru the phonebook and find an attorney that is suited for your problem. If you can find one that offers free consultations, that is best for you. At your appointment, bring all relative documents, pictures, whatever, and explain -BRIEFLY- the situation. The attorney should be able to take it from there. Good Luck! (And they dont represent you until you pay them, which is called a retainer.)

To talk to a lawyer, look in the yellow pages for your area (available online) and find one in the category for your problem. For example, if you have a divorce or child custody question, find a family law attorney. You can also find one by calling the local bar association referral service. While many lawyers offer a free initial consultation, most do not. This is a common misperception people have. The lawyer may charge a flat fee for a consultation, provide a reduced rate for the first consultatation, or limit the quot;freequot; session to only a few minutes or half an hour. When you are calling attorneys to find one to talk to, ask them about their initial consultation policy. Many times, the assistant gives you this information and then sets up an appointment for you with the lawyer. (This might even be over the phone.) In a lot of cases, one call or meeting with a lawyer may be all you need to have your questions answered. For example, it s a great idea to have new lease or unsigned contract reviewed by a lawyer before you sign it. It doesn t take long, doesn t cost a lot, but can save you time, headaches and money down the road. You can also ask the lawyer questions about whether you should sue someone or what you should do if you are being sued. But that doesn t mean you have to hire that lawyer for the lawsuit. In fact, you might want to talk to 2 or 3 lawyers to find the one you feel most comfortable with and that you think will do the best job. This is not a dumb question. It s a very good question and I m glad you asked it.