Your lawyer is the person that is supposed to tell you everything, right? Well, true enough. While they are still honest professionals at most, there are also some instances when the lawyer won't tell you everything. Here are the top things that your lawyer will probably keep a secret from you.
- You Do Not Always Require a Lawyer.
While there are certain complicated matters that will indeed require you to show up with a lawyer by your side, this is not always the case. Sometimes, certain things may be resolved by you – but in order to get their money's worth, they tell you that you need a lawyer. That being said, some lawyers do so simply to play it safe. - Some Work May Be Done By You.
There are certain legal matters that you may easily resolve by yourself, even if you have a lawyer working for you. However, most lawyers won't let you do any of the work, saying that it's not something for you to do. In truth, they either want the extra payment or they simply don't like anyone else chipping in. - Fees Are Negotiable.
Every lawyer has an exact or average fee – but what they do not like to say is that the difficulty of the case should determine whether it's negotiable or not. Ask your lawyer if you can negotiate the hourly rate. Depending on the situation, the chances are that nothing is set in stone. - You're on a Constant Clock.
When paying your personal injury attorney, you are always on a clock. You are not necessarily paying them on the work that they do – but on the time they spend on you as well. This means that each second you spend on irrelevant stuff will also be billed, whether it was productive or not. - They've Never Done This Before.
Every lawyer starts somewhere – and there is a chance that your lawyer may not have dealt with a case such as yours before. Obviously, they won't tell you that. In your presence, they will act as if everything is under control. - Things May Take Quite a Long Time.
The court has countless cases that they are waiting to address. So, regardless of how good your lawyer might be, there is a chance that you will have a waiting game to do. This may eat quite a lot of money from your pocket. - Mediation Is Sometimes Better.
Sometimes, mediation (when the principals themselves reach an agreement) might be the most suitable and affordable choice. However, since the lawyer won't be doing any speaking, they won't be paid for it either. So, of course, they will never suggest it. - They Can't Really Fire You.
Some attorneys threaten that if the documents aren't signed on time or if the fees aren't paid, they will no longer represent you in court. While discontinuation is indeed possible under certain circumstances, there are also regulations and rules that prevent them from doing so.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are various things that your lawyer will not tell you. This is why, as a client, you should do your research beforehand.