Whether you are trying to collect the assets of a loved one, protect your assets, or need to help a family member who is incapacitated, choosing the right attorney in Texas can be scary, overwhelming, and time-consuming.
When you have a legal issue, it is natural to want to find the best legal representation to handle your case. However, knowing where to start in your search process can be daunting if you do not personally know an attorney that can help you with your specific legal issue.
To make things easier, we narrowed down what we think are the 3 most important things you should consider when choosing the right attorney in Texas:
- Decipher your Legal Problem and Search for an Attorney Specializing in that Area.
We intentionally put this step first because it is arguably the most important one. Although the field of law is broad, most of the time, Texas attorneys specialize in certain practice areas.
Think about finding an attorney like you would a medical doctor for yourself: If you have a serious condition or issue, you want a medical professional that specializes in that condition instead of a primary care physician.
For example, an attorney that practices criminal law probably does not also practice probate law, and vice versa. Even though there are attorneys who practice several different areas of the law, finding one who is devoted to your specific legal issue would be beneficial. Let us play this out in a real-world scenario with Suzie’s story below.
Suzie’s mother just passed away in Texas and she needs legal advice on how to probate her mother’s Last Will and Testament. Her mother’s wishes are incredibly important to her, and she is afraid of her aunt coming in and possibly contesting her mother’s Will. The best-case scenario would be for Suzie to consult with an attorney with experience in probate litigation matters. However, if Suzie were to hire a general practice attorney, they likely would not have as much knowledge as the attorney who works on these matters daily. Thus, Suzie would be better off trusting an attorney specializing in probate litigation to ensure the best possible outcome for her mother’s estate.
2. Research Potential Attorneys in Your Area
Now that you have narrowed your legal issue, it is time to research. The best place to start is personal referrals. Begin by asking your colleagues, friends, and family members – one of them is bound to know a lawyer!
Another resource would be your state bar association. If you live in Dallas, Texas, for example, you can search the Dallas Bar Association and ask them for referrals of lawyers in the Dallas area who practice your legal issue.
Lastly, online searches are an excellent way to read about your potential attorney. Often, firm websites will include their areas of practice and any recognition they have received, which is a great way to compare your legal issue to your potential attorney’s highlighted experience.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Your Potential Attorney’s Reputation
It is no secret that attorneys can be a costly investment, so you do not want to find yourself hiring one that has a bad reputation and would be ineffective in helping you. If you know people in your community with experience with your potential attorney, we recommend asking them.
Another way to ensure your potential attorney has a good reputation is to look at google reviews or other websites with information about attorneys.
As you can see, choosing the right attorney is not an easy task. Your attorney should be your trusted advisor and have the power to help you in a way that no one else can. The Attorneys here at The Parvin Law Group are passionate about helping you with your legal needs to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case.
If you are looking to hire an attorney to assist you with Estate Planning, Probate Administration, Guardianship, Business Law, or Litigation in Texas, we encourage you to call our Dallas office at 214-974-8940.