What kind of lawyer do I need?
It depends on the nature of the issue — injury, employment, family, estate, debt or consumer matters are handled by attorneys with different specialties. Naming the issue accurately is the first step.
Legal Services
Find the right place to start with a legal issue
Legal problems are stressful partly because it's unclear where to begin. Answer a few questions and get a plain-language guide to what type of help may fit your situation.
Legal Services
What best describes your situation?
Why we're asking
Legal problems are usually handled by specialists, and the hardest part is often knowing which kind. A few questions let us point you toward the right category, what to gather, and what to ask. BrellaFind does not provide legal advice or evaluate claims.
You'll receive Your Legal Next Steps Guide — yours to keep whether or not you ever speak with anyone.
About 2 minutes • No pressure • Educational information only
Common questions
How much does a lawyer cost?
Fee structures vary: hourly, flat fee, or contingency, where the attorney is paid from a recovery. Many attorneys offer an initial consultation to explain which applies.
How long do I have to take action?
Most legal matters have deadlines called statutes of limitations that vary by state and by issue type. Because missing one can end a claim, timing questions are worth asking early.
Is BrellaFind a law firm?
No. BrellaFind is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or attorney referrals. Using BrellaFind does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Start here
General, educational information about working with lawyers: how to find one, what to ask, what representation typically costs, and when a conversation is worth having.
- When Should I Talk to a Lawyer?
Some situations are easy to handle on your own; others carry real risk if you wait too long to get legal advice. Here's how to recognize the difference and what deadlines to watch for.
Needs review
- How to Find a Lawyer
From state bar referral services to legal aid and law school clinics, here are the main paths to finding a lawyer — and how to check that one is actually licensed and in good standing before you hire them.
Needs review
- Types of Lawyers and What They Handle
Lawyers typically focus on one or a few practice areas. Here's a plain-English overview of the most common types of lawyers and the kinds of matters each one generally handles.
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- Questions to Ask a Lawyer in a Consultation
A good initial consultation should leave you with a clear sense of your options, how the lawyer works, and what it will cost. Here's what to ask before you decide whether to hire them.
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- How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
Lawyer costs depend heavily on the fee structure used — hourly, flat, contingency, or retainer — as well as location, experience, and case complexity. Here's how each structure works and what to ask before you agree to one.
Needs review
Common questions
- How much does a lawyer cost?
- Fee structures vary by practice area: hourly billing, flat fees for defined matters, contingency fees in many injury cases, and retainers held against future work. Ask for the structure in writing before work begins.
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Trust & disclosure
BrellaFind is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Information here is general and educational, and laws differ by state.
Read our editorial policy, how BrellaFind works and who we are.