Prior to making the determination as to who would best serve your legal needs, you should decide if an attorney is appropriate. Hopefully, information on power of attorney will help you determine that, but certain situations mandate the retention of legal counsel. A criminal charge is one such example. On the flip side, some matters can be handled without an attorney. An uncontested divorce is one example. The decision, finally, is yours whether to hire an attorney or not. Searching for power of attorney might or might not help but there are links here that may, as well.

So, you have decided that you need an attorney as it may relate to your search for power of attorney. OK, now you need to find the right lawyer or law firm. The local bar association might be an excellent source as are friends, relatives or co-workers. There may even be a community organization which deals in legal matters. So, now you have one or more potential attorneys. You should now interview them and ask some questions which should include: (a) What attorney will be handling the day to day running of the case; (b) What are the costs associated with the case; (c) Does the firm handle similar cases routinely; and, (d) How often does the firm prevail in such cases. Before the meeting, summarize your case in writing so you are sure you efficiently, and thoroughly, discuss the case. Be sure to bring in related documents. Always respond to all questions related to power of attorney, or anything, fully and honestly.

Your total cost to proceed in a legal matter clearly is an important factor in deciding who, if anyone, will represent your legal interests. There are two parts to your total cost: (i) The attorney's fee; and (ii) Your out-of-pocket costs which are spent on your behalf. There are a number of different ways that an attorney can charge for services, depending on the type of case and other factors. These alternative ways include: (a) A contingency fee which is a percentage of your reward, if any; (b) An hourly rate for services rendered; (c) A predetermined flat fee; or (d) A sliding scale fee based on income. Weigh all of this in determining if you want legal representation and, whom before you enter into litigation regarding power of attorney or any other legal matter. So, factor in your costs into your decision as to whether you should move forward on litigation regarding power of attorney or any other legal matter. Whatever your situation is, be thoughtful as you make the decision on how to proceed.