Ask in Advance: Don't hesitate to ask the lawyer in advance what the fee will be. Lawyers charge for their services based upon the time and specialized knowledge involved. Court appearances, time spent drafting documents, and research time all play a part.

Ask in advance whether you will need to pay a retainer or engagement fee (advance payment) and, if so, in what amount.

Ask whether the engagement fee will cover a certain number of hours, and discuss how payments are to be made and if they may be extended over a certain period of time. some lawyers allow clients to charge legal fees on bank credit cards such as MasterCard and Visa.

Ask whether you will be charged for phone calls and your initial interview.

Also ask whether your lawyer will routinely mail you copies of all letters and court papers received or prepared in your case.

Some lawyers are reluctant to quote prices on the telephone. But if a lawyer refuses to give you any idea of the cost of handling the problem, feel free to call another lawyer. Bear in mind, however, that on some problems a lawyer will be unable to accurately quote a fee without some preliminary investigation or research. Fees will vary with the complexity of the case, the time commitment involved, the skill and experience of the lawyer, and a number of other factors. The payment schedule will also vary. In some cases, all or a substantial portion of the fee is paid at the beginning of the case. In other cases, a payment plan may be offered. Most of these factors cannot be known until your first meeting with a lawyer.

In personal injury cases, such as accidents or claims based upon medical malpractice, a lawyer may charge a contingent fee. That means the fee is based upon a percentage of any settlement or recovery received. If the lawyer is unable to recover anything, the client will only have to pay the lawyer's actual expenses such as court filing fees. A contingent fee cannot be charged in a divorce or child custody case.

Before hiring a lawyer, make sure she/he understands family law issues. Also make sure you and your attorney are a good "fit" in terms of personal style and ability to communicate. Remember, your lawyer's job is not to tell you what you want to hear. Your lawyer should instead give you accurate information on which you will be expected to base many difficult decisions. The law is often shades of gray, not black and white. Keep in mind that you are not your lawyer's only client. However, you should expect a prompt response to your telephone calls and written inquiries.