How to Find a Good Lawyer for a Reasonable Price

Good news: You should be able to get a lawyer for a lot less money than you thought. Don't got to a law firm for a lawyer if you care about saving money. This article will help you find a reputable attorney at a low cost.

First and most obvious, ask around. Your friends may not know a good lawyer who can help you, but a friend of a friend probably does.

Second, and perhaps the most surprising: there are thousands of good attorneys on Craigslist. Just look in the service box and click on "legal." Why do so many good attorneys advertise on Craigslist? Because Craigslist is free and lots of people use it. YP.com (Yellow Pages) is free too, but this site doesn't give the advertising lawyer a chance to write a lengthy ad detailing his or her services. Look under Craigslist's legal services and search your area for a lawyer specializing in your type of legal concern.

Why do so many lawyers free lance? Many set up virtual offices on Craigslist because of the state of the legal profession today. The law schools are cash cows and so are turning out new graduates at unheard of rates. What's more, the economy has tanked. So, unfortunately for lawyers, unbelievable numbers of lawyers are out there, all scrambling for work. Actually, I dropped out of a top law school primarily because of the lackluster legal job market (and because top law schools are VERY expensive, even if you have a big scholarship).

Many recent grads have colossal student debts, and are trying to make money any way they can. In fact, many are working at places like Starbucks. I found a law school graduate working at Barnes & Noble. You might get some free advice if you strike up a conversation in one of these places.

Before you go heads over heels for a lawyer, check him or her out. Ask if they have passed your state's bar. Look on the American Bar Association's website and the Better Business Bureau's website (both included with this article). If you just need advice, you can often find free advice from law school students. Most law schools require that students complete so many hours of pro bono work. Look up local law schools and contact them. You may be surprised what you can get for free or for a very low cost. Many do consultations over the phone.

If you are really broke and need more than an over-the-phone consultation, try looking for a free legal clinic or some state or county sponsored legal aid program. Often illegal aliens can get free legal help; maybe you can too. Also, if you have the time and intellect, you can try Nolo's website and books.

Now that you are better armed, go out there and get a good lawyer. Try not to panic from sticker shock in any event. Lawyers have a lot of education. Most have a BA or BS (4+ years) or higher along with their JD (3 years full-time). Moreover, I would argue that law school is tougher than medical school, so try not to feel "ripped off" by the price tag of a good lawyer.