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If you've never dealt with lawyers or courts before, this page is your orientation. Read it once and you'll walk into any consultation knowing what's going on.

What kind of lawyer do you need?

Lawyers specialize, like doctors. A great real-estate lawyer won't help much with a divorce. Match the lawyer to your problem:

Family law

Divorce, custody, child support, adoption. This is the one you want for anything about marriage or kids.

Criminal defense

Arrests, charges, DUIs. If you can't afford one, the court must appoint you a public defender — ask for one.

Traffic

Tickets, suspended licenses, reckless driving. Many traffic lawyers charge a flat fee and it's often worth it.

Tenant / housing

Eviction defense, security deposits, unsafe living conditions.

Employment

Fired unfairly, unpaid wages, discrimination, workplace injuries.

Personal injury

Hurt because someone else was careless — car crashes, slip-and-falls. These lawyers usually work on contingency (see below), meaning no upfront cost.

Estate planning

Wills, power of attorney, what happens to your stuff.

How lawyers charge

Always ask about money before they start working. There are four common setups:

Hourly. You pay for each hour worked. Ask the hourly rate and for a realistic estimate of total hours. Rates vary a lot by city and experience.
Flat fee. One price for the whole job — common for traffic tickets, simple wills, uncontested divorces. Ask exactly what's included.
Contingency. The lawyer takes a percentage of what you win (usually around a third). Common in injury cases. You typically pay nothing upfront — but ask what happens if you lose.
Free / pro bono / legal aid. If money is tight, legal aid offices handle many civil cases free for people who qualify. Start with LawHelp.org or call 211.

Questions to ask before you hire anyone

Bring this list to the consultation. A good lawyer will welcome these questions.

Have you handled cases like mine? How many, and how did they turn out?
What are my options? Including doing nothing, negotiating, or handling it myself.
What will this cost, total? Get the fee structure in writing before work starts.
Who will actually do the work? The lawyer you're talking to, or someone junior?
How long will this take? Courts move slowly — get a realistic timeline.
How will we communicate? Phone, email, text — and how quickly do you respond?
What do you need from me? Documents, deadlines, anything time-sensitive.
What happens if I can't pay? Payment plans, reduced fees, or a referral to legal aid.

What to bring to your first meeting

Any papers related to your case — court documents, tickets, leases, letters, emails. Bring everything; let the lawyer decide what matters.
A timeline — write down what happened and when, in order. Dates matter enormously in law.
Your questions — the list above, plus anything specific to you.
ID and proof of income — if you're asking about payment plans or free help, they'll need to see where you stand.
A notebook — write down what they say. You'll forget half of it otherwise.