Consult with more than one Florida Attorney before deciding who should represent you. Find out if you will be charged for an initial meeting. Be prepared to describe your problem to the Florida attorney in a brief, clear summary. Ask the various Florida lawyers about their experience, their fees, what your options might be, your chances of success, who will do the work, and when the problem might be resolved.

Before any work begins, ask what the cost will be for the lawyer’s services and whether you will be responsible for other fees and charges. State ethics rules require lawyers to charge a reasonable fee. The American Bar Association advises that lawyers explain their fees, preferably in writing, within a reasonable time after beginning to represent you. And some state bars require that lawyers put their fees in writing before they take a case. Your lawyer may charge you extra for copying documents, courier services, court filing fees, or research services. Be sure you understand what you will be charged for and how much.

Remember the most expensive lawyer is not necessarily the best one for you. Nor is a “bargain” rate always a great deal. Look for the best balance of experience and cost. You may want to ask your lawyer if a junior lawyer or paralegal can perform some of the work to lower your costs. You also may want to ask if there are tasks you could perform yourself to save time and money. For example, you might be able to copy, pick up or deliver certain documents.

A Florida attorney may charge you a flat fee for a particular service or offer alternative methods of payment (contingency fee or hourly rate). Each has benefits and risks.

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