LAWYER
REFERRAL AND INFORMATION SERVICE
A
non-profit public service of the Palm Beach County Bar Association
Click
Here For Lawyer Referral Service FAQs
The
hiring of a lawyer is an important decision. Before you
decide to hire the lawyer to whom you are referred, ask
that lawyer for written information about that lawyer's
qualifications and experience.
What
is the Lawyer Referral and Information Service?
The
Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is a non-profit
public service of the Palm Beach County Bar Association
that has been authorized by The Florida Bar. Through
this service, you can obtain a one-half hour appointment,
with the kind of attorney you need, for $30. (There is
no fee for personal injury cases). When appropriate,
referrals are also made to social service agencies.
What
if I need further service from the attorney after the
initial consultation?
If
you need any documents prepared or if you need any further
legal services, there would be an additional fee that
you and your attorney would agree upon before you proceed.
How
do you select the attorneys who participate in the
LRIS?
LRIS
panel members are attorneys in private practice in Palm
Beach County who are members of The Florida Bar in good
standing. They must be a member of either the Palm Beach
County or South Palm Beach County Bar Association and
have been admitted to The Florida Bar for a minimum of
one year. Attorneys are registered in the areas of law
they practice in and referrals are made on a rotating
basis within those areas. Referrals are also made based
on geographic needs.
How
is the LRIS funded?
The
LRIS is not funded by local, state or federal funds.
It is funded by the consultation fees which are retained
by the Service and panel member dues.
Why
do I need "professional" legal assistance?
To
protect the public, Florida law provides that only lawyers
can give legal advice. A lawyer is first and foremost
an officer of the Court, authorized to explain and interpret
the law for you and to represent your interests both
in and out of court.
When
should I see a lawyer?
Some
of the situations in which you would want to consult
with attorney are:
- Before buying or selling real estate
- Before signing a contract with major financial provisions
- Before making a will or planning your estate
- Before organizing a business
- If you are arrested or charged with a crime
- If you are involved in an accident in which there is damage to persons or
property
- If there are changes in your family status: divorce, adoption or marriage
- If a lawsuit is brought against you or you want to bring a lawsuit against
someone
How
do lawyers charge for their services?
Lawyers'
charges are often based on the number of hours spent
on your case, the difficulty of the case and his/her
experience.
In
some cases, after a consultation, a lawyer may determine
to take your case on a contingent fee basis. This means
that if your case is successful, the lawyer receives
a percentage of the judgment or settlement and out-of-pocket
expenses. If the case is not successful, you pay the
expenses only.
If
you need further services from your LRIS attorney after
the initial consultation, the subject of fees should
be discussed openly and frankly with your lawyer to avoid
any misunderstandings in the future.
What
if I cannot afford an attorney?
If
you need an attorney but believe that you cannot afford
legal fees, contact the Legal Aid Society (655-8944)
or Florida Rural Legal Services (820-8902). These offices
handle some types of civil matters for people under the
income guidelines their operations have established.
How
do I get an appointment?
Simply
call the Lawyer Referral and Information Service at (561)687-3266
or (561)451-3256 (Boca/Delray) and a coordinator will
ask you a few brief questions to determine the type of
attorney you may need. You may also fill out our online
form.
