Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thervo.
How much does a lawyer cost?
A lawyer costs$150 to $400 per hour, depending on their location, field, and experience level. Some lawyers charge a $500 to $5,000 retainer fee, which is essentially a down payment based on their hourly rate. Other lawyers charge a flat fee for basic services, including:
Filing for bankruptcy
Immigration cases
Trademarks or patents
Writing a prenup
An uncontested divorce without a custody arrangement
What does a lawyer do?
A lawyer gives legal advice and completes paperwork on behalf of clients. Lawyers who have passed the bar exam can represent their clients in court and advocate on their behalf. These services save their clients the time and stress it would take to complete legal work on their own.
Specific responsibilities of a lawyer include:
Advising clients
Organizing and filing paperwork
Conducting relevant research
Negotiating settlements
Communicating with clients, witnesses, and colleagues
Does it cost money to ask a lawyer a question?
Most lawyers offer free consultations before taking on your case. This allows you to ask questions and helps them decide how long the case might take and whether you're likely to win. However, once you hire a lawyer, you will be billed for phone calls, questions, and emails.
What education is needed to become a lawyer?
A person must get a bachelor's degree and a juris doctor degree (J.D.) from an accredited law school to become a lawyer. Law school takes 3 years, or 7 years including a bachelor's degree. They must also pass the bar exam in order to represent clients in court.
What's the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
The terms "lawyer" and "attorney" are usually used interchangeably, but they are technically different. A lawyer is someone who graduated from law school and can give legal advice but may or may not have passed the bar exam.
An attorney is a person who passed the bar exam and is now qualified to represent clients in court. All attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys.
How to I choose a lawyer?
When choosing a lawyer near you, follow these steps:
Decide which type of lawyer you need for your case.
Compare reviews from lawyers on Thervo and Google.
Get 3+ estimates from lawyers near you.
Verify their credentials and whether they've passed the bar exam.
Choose a lawyer who fits your budget and makes you feel comfortable.
Choose a lawyer that's conveniently located if possible.
Get an estimate and contract in writing before any casework begins.
What questions should I ask lawyers?
Ask the following questions to find the best lawyer possible:
How long have you been practicing law?
When did you pass the bar?
Do you give free consultations to potential clients?
Are you able to take on my case now?
What are your rates? Do you charge by the hour or have a retainer fee?
How many cases like mine have you won?
Will you give me a written estimate and contract?
Reviews for Philadelphia lawyers
Recent success stories from people in the Philadelphia area.
Anna M.
Everything! He made my end of life planning easy & highly understandable.
The Romine Law Firm LLC
Karen D.
He was easily accessible to answer any questions I may have had. Very personable!
Law Offices of Cristian Towers
Marta K.
I worked with Maria Testa of Testa and Pagnanelli from October 2015 to March 2017 for my custody proceedings in Philadelphia. From my initial consultation, I was convinced that I had made the right choice. Maria was knowledgeable, calm, and very sympathetic. Being a mother, herself, she really understood how to combine the human side of these proceedings with the legal side. In addition, Maria's communication and organization is unparalleled. She would reply to every email I sent (and there were many!) within hours if not minutes. No question was too small. She truly understood my side of these proceedings, and, moreover, knew how to turn my hopes into actionable motions that gave results.
I would recommend Maria Testa and Testa & Pagnanelli to anyone and want to thank Maria for her dedication to me and my daughter.
Testa & Pagnanelli, LLC
Ian H.
Professional handled everything well ... Kept me informed and other clients got rid of their lawyer and asked for his number...great experience
Dover & Associates
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