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If you have discussed the basis and nature of legal fees and
costs with your attorney, you have taken the necessary first
step to help you control your legal expenses. Still, there are a
few things you can do during the course of the matter to help
you and your lawyer manage the overall fees and costs:
• Get Organized: During you initial interviews, bring as much
information as you can and share it with your lawyer. Think
about the case in advance before talking to a lawyer. Write down
the questions that you want your lawyer to answer. This could
help cut down the time that the lawyer will spend investigating
the case and gathering information.
• Be Thorough: Tell your lawyer all the facts. Do not assume
that your lawyer knows them all. Your lawyer should tell you
that all your information will be kept in confidence. In order
to represent you efficiently, it will help your lawyer to know
as much as possible about your case and to avoid surprises
during the course of the representation.
• Be Efficient: Try to be as concise as possible. In many
circumstances you will pay for every minute you spend with your
lawyer. A friendly relationship can facilitate the handling of
your case, but you should try to limit your discussions to your
legal matter. You will not want to pay for a long, friendly
conversation about non-legal matters.
• Communicate: You need to discuss the case with your lawyer and
prepare for meetings. You are probably the primary source of
information about your case. If something new happens, you
should inform your lawyer. It may change what the lawyer is
doing on the case and save you and the lawyer time (and thus
money).
• Examine Your Bill: Make sure that your bills do not contain
costs or expenses beyond those you agreed to pay for. Even if
you agreed to pay on a contingency basis, you should check to
see that costs and expenses are monitored and properly billed. |
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