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  • Item Upon - How to Work With Your Lawyer

    Managing People; Living the Values
    There has been an unedifying politicised debate in Australia about Australian values. It is a debate about who has them, who does not and seeks to ostracise those who are considered not to have them.It is a debate where the majority of the participants have demonstrated the values of ignorance, intolerance, opportunism and political wilfulness whilst claiming to support values of fairness, mateship and egalitarianism.That's the problem with values. They are demonstrated by what we do, not by what we say.No matter which community we belong to, whether it is our family, our school, our club or our employing organisation, we cannot escape demonstrating our values each day.Our values come from our beliefs which form generally at an early age dependent on our experiences and upbringing and it is difficult to impose them upon us.My school had a statement about values incorporated into a Latin phrase under the crest of the school. We were not taught Latin, so that made it difficult for any of us even in our formative years to be influenced by the school statement about values.Our school made an attempt at defining the school's values and made a poor job of it by writing it in a language
    quote you a set amount or standard fee that he or she has arrived at for your type of legal problem. An example of a legal problem that could be covered in a flat-fee matter is an uncontested divorce without children or a simple will. In addition, lawyers usually expect you to pay court costs and to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, long distance, postage, courier, or copying expenses. It is important that you find out what any fixed fee covers.

    Hourly fee: An attorney may prefer to bill you by the hour and collect an initial retainer. Such fees may vary widely depending upon the complexity of the legal work, the skill of the attorney and whether there are time deadlines. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you and the attorney could include a provision in your contract requiring the attorney not to exceed a specified amount of time or money without obtaining your permission. Insist that you be kept advised every month of the number of hours that the attorney is spending on your problem. You also have the right to ask for a written explanation of what the attorney did during the hours he or she worked on your case.

    Questions about fees that you may want to ask are:
    1. Can you give me an estimate of how much this legal matter will cost?
    2. Can we have a written fee agreement that sets forth not only my obligation to pay you, but also exactly what services you will provide?

    HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY DECISION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

    Based on your first interview, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire an attorney:
    1. Could you communicate effectively with the attorney?
    2. Was the attorney clear and easy to understand?
    3. Are fees reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges?
    4. Did the attorney give clear explanations of how he or she will let you know about progress in your case?
    5. If you are

    Hype for HYIPs - New Advertising Era Is Coming?
    Every program administrator should start thinking about program promotion long before actual program launch. An effective and carefully planned promotion campaign can make the program famous in a few days and can guarantee a steady traffic of investors. In the HYIP world program promotion doesn't anything to do with search engine optimization (SEO) used to promote websites. People invest in SEO when they want to increase the number of visits to a website from search results. But think about it: how many investors use Google to find new investment opportunities? Plus you should know that successful SEO doesn't always result in increased investments or sales. You should discard SEO in the very beginning: it will be a waste of your time and money.Here is what you could concentrate your promotion efforts on: banners, listings or monitor websites, paid sticky topics on discussion boards, paid posters crowd (whether you like it or not), smart hidden marketing campaigns.BannersMMT Investigation Bureau conducted an interesting survey not so long ago. We wanted to know how effective banners really are and what outcome you can expect by using banners to promote your program. We have contacted many listi
    1. Get organized. Prepare detailed written notes outlining your legal problem or questions. Provide the lawyer all the details, and let he or she decide what is important to your case.

    2. Complete and honest disclosure of all facts. It is very important that you provide a complete and honest description of your problem, including information that may be favorable, unfavorable, or embarrassing. Leaving out a minor fact or detail could have a huge negative impact on your case. Only if you fully disclose the facts about your situation can an attorney properly advise you. Remember that there are strict rules that require an attorney to keep your information confidential.

    3. Discuss fees. Your attorney will be ready to discuss fees at the first meeting, and you should be ready to do the same. You can and should negotiate fees and discuss payment plans with your attorney. Get your agreement in writing and keep a copy for your file. Most disputes about fees happen because there is no written record of an agreement.

    4. Ask a lawyer questions. In order for your attorney to serve you better, you must understand all aspects of your case and the legal process. Understanding the process will help you understand how the lawyer is working and what type of information is needed on your case. But remember, you are paying for your attorney’s time. It is more cost effective to ask several questions at once instead of calling your attorney every time one question comes to mind. You may be charged for each call depending on your fee agreement.

    5. Understand what you sign. Before you sign a document, ask your attorney to fully explain to your satisfaction any document. What can be clear and routine to an attorney can be confusing to people without formal legal training.

    6. Keep your own records. Ask for copies of all letters and documents prepared on your case. You should also keep the written fee agreement between you and your attorney in the file. You may have to access this information at some point in the future so it is important to maintain records.

    7. Legal advice. Give careful and thoughtful consideration to what your attorney advises. The attorney’s judgments are based on legal training and experience. Remember that lawyers cannot work magic. No attorney wins every case, and sometimes the best legal advice may not be what you want to hear. Your attorney will provide advice that has your best legal interests in mind. The central focus of any case is the facts. Each side will have facts that contribute to the outcome of the case. It is the lawyer’s responsibility to make you aware of the potential outcome of your case based on the facts.

    HOW DO I PREPARE AND WHAT SHOULD I TAKE TO THE FIRST INTERVIEW?
    Plan to go to the first interview with an open mind. You do not have to decide to employ the attorney with whom you are interviewing until you have had time to think about the interview and your experience in communicating with the lawyer.

    When you go to your initial consultation, it is important to have with you a written summary, or detailed notes outlining your problem. The notes or summary should include:
    1. Names, addresses and phone numbers of all persons or companies involved
    2. All documents which are part of your case, including
    a. Documents you have received from another attorney
    b. Documents you have received from a court
    c. Journals
    d. Written Correspondence (includes emails)
    e. Receipts
    f. Contracts
    g. Medical bills
    h. Repair estimates
    i. Checks, etc.
    j. Pictures
    k. Written notes detailing the history of your situation

    The attorney may ask you to deliver written materials in advance of your first interview in order to have adequate time to review them. You may prefer to provide copies rather than originals at the initial interview. Remember that all lawyers are subject to attorney-client privilege and therefore, must maintain any information in strict confidence.

    Next, prepare a list of questions for the attorney, such as:
    1. Are you specialized and/or experienced in my type of problem?
    2. Will you or one of your associates be handling my case?
    3. Will you regularly contact me about the status of my case?
    4. Will I be provided with copies of all important documents, and will there be a charge for those documents?
    5. Will I be able to make the final decision on my case?
    6. What is your estimate of time needed to complete my case?
    7. What is the hourly billable rate?
    8. What amount of retainer is required to request your services?

    REMEMBER: When you hire an attorney, the attorney will be working for you. He or she should be genuinely interested in your problem and in giving you the best possible advice. The attorney may not be able to accomplish everything you wish because of the facts or the laws that apply in your case. Many times the best advice an attorney can give will be to avoid court action. He or she may suggest other methods to resolve your matter, such as mediation.

    WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT OF MY ATTORNEY?

    Here are a few tips about what to expect from your attorney. Your attorney should:
    1. Give you candid, honest advice;
    2. Tell you the strong and weak points of your case; this includes potential outcomes based on facts and your instructions on how to proceed
    3. Keep you informed and follow your instructions, within the bounds of the law;
    4. Protect and defend you to the best of his or her ability and to the fullest extent of the law;
    5. While representing you, not represent any other client whose interests conflict with yours;
    6. Provide you, if you ask, with copies of all letters and documents involved in your case;
    7. Provide an itemized bill of all work done for you and all expenses incurred on your behalf.

    WHAT WILL MY ATTORNEY EXPECT OF ME?

    The attorney will expect you to:
    1. Be prompt for court dates and appointments;
    2. Let him or her know how to keep in touch with you. If you have a change of address or phone number or place of employment, let your attorney know; and
    3. Be completely honest -- even if it is embarrassing to tell the truth about your problem.
    Remember, what you tell an attorney in private will be kept confidential. Even confessions to past crimes or criminal activity are going to be treated as confidential by your attorney. Exceptions to this rule of strict confidentiality are plans for future crimes and continuing criminal activity or if the attorney believes that you have or will cause injury to a child. Attorneys are required by law to report suspected child abuse.
    4. Not withhold any important information during the conversation that could be potentially damaging to your situation. A common tactic is for the other party to discredit you. Therefore, it is crucial that you fully disclose anything you can think of that could be used against you later on in the proceedings. Understand that even with the weight of the facts on your side, the situation could change if information comes out later that gives the advantage to the other party, because this information was not disclosed earlier to the lawyer.

    HOW MUCH WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE ME FOR HIS OR HER SERVICES?

    The attorney’s fee depends upon many variables, such as amount of time, the difficulty of the work, the skill required, the customary fee in your area for similar work, the experience, reputation and ability of the attorney, and whether the fee is a set amount or contingent on the outcome of the case.

    Some examples of fee arrangements include:

    Flat fee: The attorney may quote you a set amount or standard fee that he or she has arrived at for your type of legal problem. An example of a legal problem that could be covered in a flat-fee matter is an uncontested divorce without children or a simple will. In addition, lawyers usually expect you to pay court costs and to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, long distance, postage, courier, or copying expenses. It is important that you find out what any fixed fee covers.

    Hourly fee: An attorney may prefer to bill you by the hour and collect an initial retainer. Such fees may vary widely depending upon the complexity of the legal work, the skill of the attorney and whether there are time deadlines. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you and the attorney could include a provision in your contract requiring the attorney not to exceed a specified amount of time or money without obtaining your permission. Insist that you be kept advised every month of the number of hours that the attorney is spending on your problem. You also have the right to ask for a written explanation of what the attorney did during the hours he or she worked on your case.

    Questions about fees that you may want to ask are:
    1. Can you give me an estimate of how much this legal matter will cost?
    2. Can we have a written fee agreement that sets forth not only my obligation to pay you, but also exactly what services you will provide?

    HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY DECISION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

    Based on your first interview, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire an attorney:
    1. Could you communicate effectively with the attorney?
    2. Was the attorney clear and easy to understand?
    3. Are fees reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges?
    4. Did the attorney give clear explanations of how he or she will let you know about progress in your case?
    5. If you are n

    Consulting Engineering Salaries - 2004
    The composite highest-income practitioner in this field (salary plus cash bonus and/or cash profit sharing) is the President "A" (defined as a chief executive officer who is the owner of, a full partner in, or a major stockholder in the firm) of a consulting engineering firm. The firm provides services in civil (general, structural, and/or land development), or geotechnical engineering; receives in excess of $25,000,000 in gross annual fees for services rendered; has 500 or more employees; and is headquartered in or near Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, St. Louis, Oakland/East Bay, Milwaukee, Portland (OR), Lincoln (NE), Chicago, Middlesex-Essex Counties (MA), or Sacramento. This individual has a BS in engineering or higher, and 20 or more years of experience. While the median President "A" has a total annual income of $112,000, the highest-income individuals reported in this group make over $1,000,000.Far toward the other end of the income spectrum, Field Technicians have a median income of $27,400. Sometimes earning under $18,000, the lowest-paid employees in this group usually are located in or near St. Louis, Corpus Christi, Milwaukee, or Richmond/Petersburg (VA), or outside metropolitan areas studied in Missou
    d your attorney in the file. You may have to access this information at some point in the future so it is important to maintain records.

    7. Legal advice. Give careful and thoughtful consideration to what your attorney advises. The attorney’s judgments are based on legal training and experience. Remember that lawyers cannot work magic. No attorney wins every case, and sometimes the best legal advice may not be what you want to hear. Your attorney will provide advice that has your best legal interests in mind. The central focus of any case is the facts. Each side will have facts that contribute to the outcome of the case. It is the lawyer’s responsibility to make you aware of the potential outcome of your case based on the facts.

    HOW DO I PREPARE AND WHAT SHOULD I TAKE TO THE FIRST INTERVIEW?
    Plan to go to the first interview with an open mind. You do not have to decide to employ the attorney with whom you are interviewing until you have had time to think about the interview and your experience in communicating with the lawyer.

    When you go to your initial consultation, it is important to have with you a written summary, or detailed notes outlining your problem. The notes or summary should include:
    1. Names, addresses and phone numbers of all persons or companies involved
    2. All documents which are part of your case, including
    a. Documents you have received from another attorney
    b. Documents you have received from a court
    c. Journals
    d. Written Correspondence (includes emails)
    e. Receipts
    f. Contracts
    g. Medical bills
    h. Repair estimates
    i. Checks, etc.
    j. Pictures
    k. Written notes detailing the history of your situation

    The attorney may ask you to deliver written materials in advance of your first interview in order to have adequate time to review them. You may prefer to provide copies rather than originals at the initial interview. Remember that all lawyers are subject to attorney-client privilege and therefore, must maintain any information in strict confidence.

    Next, prepare a list of questions for the attorney, such as:
    1. Are you specialized and/or experienced in my type of problem?
    2. Will you or one of your associates be handling my case?
    3. Will you regularly contact me about the status of my case?
    4. Will I be provided with copies of all important documents, and will there be a charge for those documents?
    5. Will I be able to make the final decision on my case?
    6. What is your estimate of time needed to complete my case?
    7. What is the hourly billable rate?
    8. What amount of retainer is required to request your services?

    REMEMBER: When you hire an attorney, the attorney will be working for you. He or she should be genuinely interested in your problem and in giving you the best possible advice. The attorney may not be able to accomplish everything you wish because of the facts or the laws that apply in your case. Many times the best advice an attorney can give will be to avoid court action. He or she may suggest other methods to resolve your matter, such as mediation.

    WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT OF MY ATTORNEY?

    Here are a few tips about what to expect from your attorney. Your attorney should:
    1. Give you candid, honest advice;
    2. Tell you the strong and weak points of your case; this includes potential outcomes based on facts and your instructions on how to proceed
    3. Keep you informed and follow your instructions, within the bounds of the law;
    4. Protect and defend you to the best of his or her ability and to the fullest extent of the law;
    5. While representing you, not represent any other client whose interests conflict with yours;
    6. Provide you, if you ask, with copies of all letters and documents involved in your case;
    7. Provide an itemized bill of all work done for you and all expenses incurred on your behalf.

    WHAT WILL MY ATTORNEY EXPECT OF ME?

    The attorney will expect you to:
    1. Be prompt for court dates and appointments;
    2. Let him or her know how to keep in touch with you. If you have a change of address or phone number or place of employment, let your attorney know; and
    3. Be completely honest -- even if it is embarrassing to tell the truth about your problem.
    Remember, what you tell an attorney in private will be kept confidential. Even confessions to past crimes or criminal activity are going to be treated as confidential by your attorney. Exceptions to this rule of strict confidentiality are plans for future crimes and continuing criminal activity or if the attorney believes that you have or will cause injury to a child. Attorneys are required by law to report suspected child abuse.
    4. Not withhold any important information during the conversation that could be potentially damaging to your situation. A common tactic is for the other party to discredit you. Therefore, it is crucial that you fully disclose anything you can think of that could be used against you later on in the proceedings. Understand that even with the weight of the facts on your side, the situation could change if information comes out later that gives the advantage to the other party, because this information was not disclosed earlier to the lawyer.

    HOW MUCH WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE ME FOR HIS OR HER SERVICES?

    The attorney’s fee depends upon many variables, such as amount of time, the difficulty of the work, the skill required, the customary fee in your area for similar work, the experience, reputation and ability of the attorney, and whether the fee is a set amount or contingent on the outcome of the case.

    Some examples of fee arrangements include:

    Flat fee: The attorney may quote you a set amount or standard fee that he or she has arrived at for your type of legal problem. An example of a legal problem that could be covered in a flat-fee matter is an uncontested divorce without children or a simple will. In addition, lawyers usually expect you to pay court costs and to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, long distance, postage, courier, or copying expenses. It is important that you find out what any fixed fee covers.

    Hourly fee: An attorney may prefer to bill you by the hour and collect an initial retainer. Such fees may vary widely depending upon the complexity of the legal work, the skill of the attorney and whether there are time deadlines. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you and the attorney could include a provision in your contract requiring the attorney not to exceed a specified amount of time or money without obtaining your permission. Insist that you be kept advised every month of the number of hours that the attorney is spending on your problem. You also have the right to ask for a written explanation of what the attorney did during the hours he or she worked on your case.

    Questions about fees that you may want to ask are:
    1. Can you give me an estimate of how much this legal matter will cost?
    2. Can we have a written fee agreement that sets forth not only my obligation to pay you, but also exactly what services you will provide?

    HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY DECISION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

    Based on your first interview, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire an attorney:
    1. Could you communicate effectively with the attorney?
    2. Was the attorney clear and easy to understand?
    3. Are fees reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges?
    4. Did the attorney give clear explanations of how he or she will let you know about progress in your case?
    5. If you are

    10 Pointers on College Loan Consolidation
    Should I consolidate my college loans or not?1. Still in school, yes! Rates are low, but they're scheduled to go up. Your college loan payments will then remain as manageable as possible when you leave school. If you have graduated, or will be graduating this May or June, yes! Graduates can lock in historical low rates, and reduce their monthly payments more than half. You can lock in a rate even while still in school, and even if you have been out of school for a couple of years can get a good deal, too.2. The newest twist in the consolidation puzzle is the "in school consolidation", affecting students who are currently enrolled and will be enrolled past the July 1 consolidation. You can consolidate your existing college loans now to secure the low rates for at least part of their student loan portfolio.3. Consolidating could save thousands of dollars in interest payments on college loans. There are impending student loan rate changes and new interpretation of regulations by the Department of Education, also, Congress is considering ending the fixed-rate program. Experts are urging students to consolidate to relieve themselves of a higher debt load.4. Many students and families are looking
    interview. Remember that all lawyers are subject to attorney-client privilege and therefore, must maintain any information in strict confidence.

    Next, prepare a list of questions for the attorney, such as:
    1. Are you specialized and/or experienced in my type of problem?
    2. Will you or one of your associates be handling my case?
    3. Will you regularly contact me about the status of my case?
    4. Will I be provided with copies of all important documents, and will there be a charge for those documents?
    5. Will I be able to make the final decision on my case?
    6. What is your estimate of time needed to complete my case?
    7. What is the hourly billable rate?
    8. What amount of retainer is required to request your services?

    REMEMBER: When you hire an attorney, the attorney will be working for you. He or she should be genuinely interested in your problem and in giving you the best possible advice. The attorney may not be able to accomplish everything you wish because of the facts or the laws that apply in your case. Many times the best advice an attorney can give will be to avoid court action. He or she may suggest other methods to resolve your matter, such as mediation.

    WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT OF MY ATTORNEY?

    Here are a few tips about what to expect from your attorney. Your attorney should:
    1. Give you candid, honest advice;
    2. Tell you the strong and weak points of your case; this includes potential outcomes based on facts and your instructions on how to proceed
    3. Keep you informed and follow your instructions, within the bounds of the law;
    4. Protect and defend you to the best of his or her ability and to the fullest extent of the law;
    5. While representing you, not represent any other client whose interests conflict with yours;
    6. Provide you, if you ask, with copies of all letters and documents involved in your case;
    7. Provide an itemized bill of all work done for you and all expenses incurred on your behalf.

    WHAT WILL MY ATTORNEY EXPECT OF ME?

    The attorney will expect you to:
    1. Be prompt for court dates and appointments;
    2. Let him or her know how to keep in touch with you. If you have a change of address or phone number or place of employment, let your attorney know; and
    3. Be completely honest -- even if it is embarrassing to tell the truth about your problem.
    Remember, what you tell an attorney in private will be kept confidential. Even confessions to past crimes or criminal activity are going to be treated as confidential by your attorney. Exceptions to this rule of strict confidentiality are plans for future crimes and continuing criminal activity or if the attorney believes that you have or will cause injury to a child. Attorneys are required by law to report suspected child abuse.
    4. Not withhold any important information during the conversation that could be potentially damaging to your situation. A common tactic is for the other party to discredit you. Therefore, it is crucial that you fully disclose anything you can think of that could be used against you later on in the proceedings. Understand that even with the weight of the facts on your side, the situation could change if information comes out later that gives the advantage to the other party, because this information was not disclosed earlier to the lawyer.

    HOW MUCH WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE ME FOR HIS OR HER SERVICES?

    The attorney’s fee depends upon many variables, such as amount of time, the difficulty of the work, the skill required, the customary fee in your area for similar work, the experience, reputation and ability of the attorney, and whether the fee is a set amount or contingent on the outcome of the case.

    Some examples of fee arrangements include:

    Flat fee: The attorney may quote you a set amount or standard fee that he or she has arrived at for your type of legal problem. An example of a legal problem that could be covered in a flat-fee matter is an uncontested divorce without children or a simple will. In addition, lawyers usually expect you to pay court costs and to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, long distance, postage, courier, or copying expenses. It is important that you find out what any fixed fee covers.

    Hourly fee: An attorney may prefer to bill you by the hour and collect an initial retainer. Such fees may vary widely depending upon the complexity of the legal work, the skill of the attorney and whether there are time deadlines. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you and the attorney could include a provision in your contract requiring the attorney not to exceed a specified amount of time or money without obtaining your permission. Insist that you be kept advised every month of the number of hours that the attorney is spending on your problem. You also have the right to ask for a written explanation of what the attorney did during the hours he or she worked on your case.

    Questions about fees that you may want to ask are:
    1. Can you give me an estimate of how much this legal matter will cost?
    2. Can we have a written fee agreement that sets forth not only my obligation to pay you, but also exactly what services you will provide?

    HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY DECISION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

    Based on your first interview, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire an attorney:
    1. Could you communicate effectively with the attorney?
    2. Was the attorney clear and easy to understand?
    3. Are fees reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges?
    4. Did the attorney give clear explanations of how he or she will let you know about progress in your case?
    5. If you are

    Marketing Breakthrough Method
    Your Marketing Breakthrough Method is ready for you to use. All you have to do is learn from the experience of one of the best marketers - online and offline.Seth Godin has written a unique book called "Ideavirus".He is a critic of Interruption Marketing (the traditional method) and a Champion of Permission Marketing (asking for the customers permission before presenting them with products).His idea was to make "Ideavirus" available as a free ebook which contained links where the reader could promote it to others.To develop a vast market in the quickest possible time Seth decide to give away his new ebook. In a short time he gave away more than 1,000,000 copies.He explained the secret to his breakthrough marketing method to critics who were quite sure he had gone mad. He believed, because of the quality of his ebook, that as well as downloading the free edition readers would purchase copies of the hard copy when it was released through Amazon.They would do this as they were so impressed with the content they purchased the hard copy and gave it to friends as a gift.Time has proved him right - big time. Sales of the hard copy have reached record levels.You can ben
    7. Provide an itemized bill of all work done for you and all expenses incurred on your behalf.

    WHAT WILL MY ATTORNEY EXPECT OF ME?

    The attorney will expect you to:
    1. Be prompt for court dates and appointments;
    2. Let him or her know how to keep in touch with you. If you have a change of address or phone number or place of employment, let your attorney know; and
    3. Be completely honest -- even if it is embarrassing to tell the truth about your problem.
    Remember, what you tell an attorney in private will be kept confidential. Even confessions to past crimes or criminal activity are going to be treated as confidential by your attorney. Exceptions to this rule of strict confidentiality are plans for future crimes and continuing criminal activity or if the attorney believes that you have or will cause injury to a child. Attorneys are required by law to report suspected child abuse.
    4. Not withhold any important information during the conversation that could be potentially damaging to your situation. A common tactic is for the other party to discredit you. Therefore, it is crucial that you fully disclose anything you can think of that could be used against you later on in the proceedings. Understand that even with the weight of the facts on your side, the situation could change if information comes out later that gives the advantage to the other party, because this information was not disclosed earlier to the lawyer.

    HOW MUCH WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE ME FOR HIS OR HER SERVICES?

    The attorney’s fee depends upon many variables, such as amount of time, the difficulty of the work, the skill required, the customary fee in your area for similar work, the experience, reputation and ability of the attorney, and whether the fee is a set amount or contingent on the outcome of the case.

    Some examples of fee arrangements include:

    Flat fee: The attorney may quote you a set amount or standard fee that he or she has arrived at for your type of legal problem. An example of a legal problem that could be covered in a flat-fee matter is an uncontested divorce without children or a simple will. In addition, lawyers usually expect you to pay court costs and to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, long distance, postage, courier, or copying expenses. It is important that you find out what any fixed fee covers.

    Hourly fee: An attorney may prefer to bill you by the hour and collect an initial retainer. Such fees may vary widely depending upon the complexity of the legal work, the skill of the attorney and whether there are time deadlines. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you and the attorney could include a provision in your contract requiring the attorney not to exceed a specified amount of time or money without obtaining your permission. Insist that you be kept advised every month of the number of hours that the attorney is spending on your problem. You also have the right to ask for a written explanation of what the attorney did during the hours he or she worked on your case.

    Questions about fees that you may want to ask are:
    1. Can you give me an estimate of how much this legal matter will cost?
    2. Can we have a written fee agreement that sets forth not only my obligation to pay you, but also exactly what services you will provide?

    HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY DECISION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

    Based on your first interview, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire an attorney:
    1. Could you communicate effectively with the attorney?
    2. Was the attorney clear and easy to understand?
    3. Are fees reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges?
    4. Did the attorney give clear explanations of how he or she will let you know about progress in your case?
    5. If you are

    Traders, You Must Know Your Limitations
    Do you remember the Clint Eastwood movie where he said, "A man's got to know his limitations"? Of course, this goes for a woman as well. You've simply got to be realistic about what you are capable of. I hate to say it, but some people are just not cut out for trading. However, self evaluation can sometimes be very difficult. It kind of falls into the category of "nobody thinks they are a bad driver". Obviously, if you didn't think you were able to be successful at daytrading, then you probably wouldn't be reading this article. However, just because you think you will be successful at trading, doesn't make it so.So for those of you that are unsure if you are cut out for it or have difficulty with self evaluations, here's my sure fire way to determine if you are a good daytrader.Look at your bank account. If your account goes up, then you are doing well. If it goes down, you are not doing well. If in a couple of years you have more money than you started with (without adding more funds), then you are off to a good start. If you have less, then you are making mistakes. If in five or ten years you are consistently making money and/or have entered the big leagues of trading, then you probably are cut out for
    quote you a set amount or standard fee that he or she has arrived at for your type of legal problem. An example of a legal problem that could be covered in a flat-fee matter is an uncontested divorce without children or a simple will. In addition, lawyers usually expect you to pay court costs and to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, long distance, postage, courier, or copying expenses. It is important that you find out what any fixed fee covers.

    Hourly fee: An attorney may prefer to bill you by the hour and collect an initial retainer. Such fees may vary widely depending upon the complexity of the legal work, the skill of the attorney and whether there are time deadlines. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you and the attorney could include a provision in your contract requiring the attorney not to exceed a specified amount of time or money without obtaining your permission. Insist that you be kept advised every month of the number of hours that the attorney is spending on your problem. You also have the right to ask for a written explanation of what the attorney did during the hours he or she worked on your case.

    Questions about fees that you may want to ask are:
    1. Can you give me an estimate of how much this legal matter will cost?
    2. Can we have a written fee agreement that sets forth not only my obligation to pay you, but also exactly what services you will provide?

    HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY DECISION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

    Based on your first interview, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire an attorney:
    1. Could you communicate effectively with the attorney?
    2. Was the attorney clear and easy to understand?
    3. Are fees reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges?
    4. Did the attorney give clear explanations of how he or she will let you know about progress in your case?
    5. If you are not satisfied with this attorney, do not hire him or her. Look elsewhere for legal help.

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