Hiring a lawyer to work with you can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re looking for a Lawyer Allentown residents trust to handle all of their legal work, you’re going to want to find an attorney who has a good reputation, is affordable, and will take a case in the legal field you need help with. For many people, however, it’s hard to find a lawyer because they don’t know what the legal terms the lawyer may use mean. While most lawyers will happily explain these terms to you, you may want to have an idea of what they are before you have an appointment.
* Consultation – A consultation is the first visit you will have with a lawyer, and these are usually about an hour long and may be free. This is where you decide if you want to hire the lawyer or not.
* Contingency – When a lawyer takes a case on a contingency basis, you will not have to pay any fees until a verdict or settlement is reached. In some cases, you may not have to pay anything if you lose the case.
* Retainer – The retainer is the money that you need to pay up front for a lawyer when you hire them. If the retainer runs out you will have to pay more money, but if the lawyer doesn’t use up the retainer you will get the remainder returned to you.
* Plaintiff – The plaintiff is the person who begins the case. For example, if you are suing another person for a personal injury case, you would be the plaintiff.
* Claimant – Claimant is another word for plaintiff, as they are the ones making the claim and beginning the lawsuit.
* Defendant – The defendant is the person who is being sued. For example, if you are suing another person for a personal injury case, the person you are suing would be the defendant.
By understanding some of the legal terns your lawyer may use, you won’t waste any time having him explain the terms to you. As lawyers charge by the hour, this may even save you a little bit of money. When you’re in need of a Lawyer Allentown residents trust, such as Drake Hileman & Davis, you’ll have a better understanding of the legal process if you understand the terms a lawyer is likely to use.
