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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?