From the State Bar of Texas: Tips on Working with Your Lawyer!

Here are some great tips published by the State Bar of Texas on how to work best with your lawyer and in the process, to save yourself a penny or two:

Get organized. Prepare a written account or detailed notes outlining your legal problem or questions. The lawyer must know all the details so she can decide what is important to your case.

Full and honest disclosure. An honest account about your problem, including information that may be favorable or unfavorable, is very important. Only if you are completely candid can a lawyer properly advise you. Remember that there are strict rules that require a lawyer to keep your information confidential.

Talk about fees. Your lawyer will be ready to discuss fees at the first meeting. You should be ready to do the same. You can and should negotiate fees and discuss payment plans with your lawyer. Get your agreement in writing and keep a copy for your file. Most disputes about fees happen because there is no written record of an agreement.

Ask your lawyer questions. In order for your lawyer to serve you better, you must understand all aspects of your case and the legal process. But remember, you are paying for your lawyer's time. It is more cost effective to ask several questions at once instead of calling your every time one question comes to mind. You may be charged for each call.

Know what you sign. Before you sign a document, ask your lawyer to fully explain to your satisfaction any document. What can be clear and routine to a lawyer can be confusing to people without formal legal training.

Keep your own file. Don't hesitate to ask for copies of all letters and documents prepared on your case. You should also keep the written fee agreement between you and your lawyer in the file.

Legal advice. Give careful and thoughtful consideration to what your lawyer advises. The lawyer's judgments are based on legal training and experience. Remember that lawyers cannot work magic. No lawyer wins every case, and sometimes the best legal advice may not be what you want to hear. Your lawyer will provide advice that has your best legal interests in mind.

These tips have been suggested by the State Bar of Texas and can be found on its www.texasbar.com site. They have been reproduced here as a courtesy to anyone visiting this site who is contemplating to hire a lawyer.