In reality, if you're hiring an attorney after you've already been sued, it's probably too late. A good lawyer can help reduce the charges, but they can't protect you from them entirely. Be proactive before a lawsuit occurs, get your legalities in order, and cover all of your bases.

The cost of a lawyer can vary depending on fee schedules, flat-rate vs. hourly, retainer vs. contingency, and an estimate of the total cost based on the case.

The reality is that lawyers' services are not cheap, no matter what type of legal case you are facing. Even simple cases can cost several thousand dollars, and fees for more complex cases can quickly rival the price of a small luxury car. As you consider how much a lawyer will cost, think about how much you have to spend and what the outcome is worth to you.

The legal papers that are filed in court at the beginning of a lawsuit are called "pleadings." Your attorney will explain pleadings to you in the particular context of your case, but the summary that follows will give you a head start in understanding some of the many documents that may become a part of your lawsuit. Please note that some states have different names for some of these documents.

Filing the complaint and other court documents are just the beginning stage of a personal injury case but can set the stage for the rest of your lawsuit.

If you’ve been looking around trying to find a lawyer to help you solve your specific legal problem, you’ve probably realized by now there are many different types of lawyers. The legal field is extremely large and complex, and you’ll find that many lawyers specialize in a particular area of law.

Because of this, there are many types of attorneys—whatever your legal problem, there’s very likely a lawyer out there who specializes in dealing specifically with that type of problem.