Have you endured sexual harassment by a priest or clergy member? Are you seeking an attorney to help you hold the perpetrator accountable? Well, various legal professionals can help you with your case. However, getting the best attorney can be daunting, and you should ask the right questions when hiring. This way, you avoid the common mistakes that many other people make.
Here are common blunders to avoid when engaging a clergy abuse lawyer:
- Not hiring a specialist
There are different types of attorneys, and you shouldn’t settle for any. You’ll come across divorce, accident, real estate, and contract attorneys, and more. But, you should engage a sexual abuse lawyer from a priest abuse law firm. Others have the necessary legal skills but lack expertise in sexual abuse topics. Your chosen attorney should specialize in sexual abuse areas, making him or her suitable for your case.
- Not discussing the fee& payment details.
Legal services come at a fee, and this varies from one provider to another. Some attorneys offer a flat rate, while others charge hourly. Understand this and any other additional charges before signing the contract. Also, go through all the fine details of the contract details to avoid any financial surprises in the future. If possible, avoid lawyers who charge hourly rates; it is difficult to predict the total cost of services.
- Not getting a written fee agreement.
Once you settle on the charges, get a written agreement on the same. Most people forget this detail and end up encountering problems. The law recognizes oral agreements, but having a written document goes a long way in case of issues. Have a written agreement for this covers all the aspects agreed upon.
- Inadequate research
There are experienced clergy abuse lawyers, and you may not locate them if you don’t research widely. Worse still, you may fall for a very costly attorney while you’d get better rates for quality services. Therefore, visit various lawyer websites and use the opportunity to get the best expertise. If you don’t feel confident about a certain attorney, you’ll still have other options to consider.
- Improper questioning
Most people assume that all attorneys are experienced and don’t ask much. This can be a grave mistake, though. Don’t just assume things; ask all you emend to know to clear your doubts. Examples of questions to ask are;
- How many years have you been in practice?
- How many successful cases have you handled previously?
- Will you have time for my case, or you’ll delegate it to another attorney?
- What are your charges? Are there other hidden costs?
- Choosing a lawyer on a cost basis
Most people consider the cost as the basis for getting the right attorney. This shouldn’t be the case, though! You should go for experienced lawyers and consider the cost once you have a list of professionals. There are also other critical aspects to consider, like expertise and reputation.
In summary
You need the right expertise for your clergy abuse case. Why not ask the right questions, and engage the most suitable attorney? Avoid the mistakes mentioned above, and save time in length court processes.
