Finding a Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer can be expensive. Although some legal fees are based on a flat rate for specific services, most rates are charged by the hour and can range from $75 to $200 per hour or more. In some cases you may be able to negotiate these fees. (The cost of all legal expenses for your business are 100% tax deductible.) To find out the range of the lawyers' fees in your area, contact your state bar association.

Before you hire a lawyer, you should explore whether there's a way to get legal representation at little or no cost to you. Consider the following options:

Does your business liability insurance, car insurance, homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, or umbrella liability insurance have coverage for legal defense in your case?

Will anyone else's insurance pay for your attorney's fees? If a child was injured at a mall or on a swing set in the playground of your apartment complex, and a parent sues you, find out if the insurance company for the mall or the landlord will pay your legal fees.

Is Legal Aid (also called Legal Services) able to provide you with free legal assistance? Legal Aid is a government program that represents low-income families. To find out if you qualify for this service, look for Legal Aid in the Yellow Pages. To find out if you qualify for any local low-income legal assistance programs, contact your local United Way.

If you believe that you are being discriminated against based on race, sex, religion, or disability, you may be able to get legal assistance from a public interest legal organization at a low cost. These organizations include the ACLU, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund (for gay and lesbian rights), and the National Women's Law Center.

Some lawyers offer their services pro bono (at no cost) as a service to their community. Ask your local Legal Aid office or your local county bar association for the names of lawyers who might help you.

If you live in a city that has a law school, you may be able to get free assistance if the school sponsors law clinics. These clinics, supervised by law professors, are designed to provide law students with real case experiences. These clinics are usually only available to low-income individuals and the school may have other guidelines for which cases they will handle. Contact any law school in your area and ask if they have a clinic. If they don't, ask if they can refer you to attorneys who may be able to help you.

If you are facing criminal charges and have a low income, you may be eligible to have a public defender who will represent you for free. The police can give you information about this service.

One way to afford legal protection is to buy legal insurance through a private company, such as Pre-Paid Legal Services. If you join this plan, you will pay a monthly fee and receive legal assistance either at no charge or at a significant discount. The services offered may include telephone consultation, contract review, audit help, civil and criminal law defense, will preparation, and more. For more information, visit Pre-Paid Legal Services at www.prepaidlegal.com or call 800-654-7757.

The following organizations may also be able to refer you to a lawyer you can afford: the local county bar association, the local tenant's association, the Small Business Development Association, the National Association for the Self-Employed, the American Association of Retired People, and the United Way.

The Child Care Law Center operates an information and referral line to answer legal questions on the phone. They may also be able to refer you to other legal professionals. Visit them at www.childcarelaw.org or call 415-394-7144.

If you end up having to pay for a lawyer yourself you follow these steps:

Your town may have a legal referral service sponsored by the state or county bar association. Look in the Yellow Pages under "Attorney Referral."

Ask for referrals to a lawyer from your relatives, friends, other providers, your tax preparer, insurance agent, the parents of the children in your care, and your local child care resource and referral agency.

This handout was produced by Think Small (www.thinksmall.org).

For Tom’s entire publications visit: NAFCC Store (NAFCC members receive a discount)

Tom Copeland This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Phone: 801-886-2232 (ex 321)

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/tomcopelandblog

Blog - http://www.tomcopelandblog.com

"Become a member of the National Associaton for Family Child Care, (http://www.nafcc.org/) and receive monthly business e-newsletters, discounts on books by Tom Copeland, IRS audit help, and much more."