Q&A

Can I get another lawyer if I already have one?

Can I get another lawyer if I already have one?

Yes. You can replace your lawyer if you have lost faith or confidence in your lawyer to represent you, you have the right to change counsel. However, firing your lawyer and hiring a replacement does carry with it certain consequences. First, the lawyer that you fire is likely entitled to be paid for work already done.

When to ask an attorney for a second opinion?

Therefore, clients who retain the services of an attorney are usually entitled to ask someone else for a second opinion. There are several reasons why a client may seek a second opinion. For example, a client may feel confused about a particular legal issue. He or she may not fully understand the rights that he or she has in a particular situation.

What are the benefits of getting a second opinion?

Benefits of Seeking a Second Opinion. A client who seeks an opinion from another attorney may more thoroughly understand an issue after he or she receives the second opinion. The opinion may be confirmed by another legal professional, providing the client with greater confidence in the decision.

What does opinion filed date mean when it comes to court?

A court which issues an opinion does so on a specific date. We usually call that the date it is filed. It means the decision was filed with the Clerk’s office which has the responsibility of incorporating the written text into the official court record. Decisions may not necessarily be effective the day they are filed.

Is it customary to get a second opinion?

Doing a second opinion is a routing part of the practice of law and if the second lawyer doesn’t get the case (because you chose to stay with the first lawyer), it is customary to be charged a fee for the attorney’s time (see their per hour rates for a better idea).

Can you get a second opinion on a malpractice case?

While it may be upsetting to not get the compensation you thought you deserved based on your attorney’s comments, you cannot file a malpractice claim against this fallacy. You can, however, get your file from the lawyer and get a second opinion on your case.

When to seek an opinion from another attorney?

A client who seeks an opinion from another attorney may more thoroughly understand an issue after he or she receives the second opinion. The opinion may be confirmed by another legal professional, providing the client with greater confidence in the decision.

What to do if your lawyer stops working on your case?

In any case, if this outreach doesn’t work and you find out that it is for other reasons such as procrastination or bluntly being rude, you may consider firing the lawyer or filing a formal complaint with Florida’s Bar Association. My lawyer appears to have stopped working on my case; is this malpractice?

Can you have two attorney in fact?

The answer is generally no, unless you have a specific reason and considered the potential problems. The reason why we do advise more than one is in the event of a conflict. With multiple named attorneys-in-fact, there is always the ability for people to conflict on decisions.

Can there be multiple power of attorney?

You can appoint more than one person as your attorney. However, you should choose people who are able to work together. If you appoint more than one person you can appoint them so they can only make decisions together (jointly) or individually (severally).

Can a couple have more than one attorney?

For instance, you might like one person to manage your finances, but another to manage your day-to-day welfare. Couples can make Mirror Lasting Power of Attorneys, nominating each other or the same people to act as their attorneys.

Can you name more than one person as your power of attorney?

Can I name multiple people as my power of attorney? Yes, you can name more than one person on your durable power of attorney, but we generally advise against it under most circumstances. First, there is no legal reason why you cannot name more than one person as your power of attorney – you can name 10 people if you want.

Is it allowed to hire multiple attorneys from different departments?

Yes, a big law firm may have different departments (criminal, real estate, etc.) or may focus on one area. If the firm has different services, they will encourage you to use them for all your needs. If you’ve used the firm before and been happy, you may be inclined to try one of their attorneys for a different type of case.

Can you use the same attorney for another case?

There’s no guarantee you’ll get the same results (other than in the billing department). If a firm tells you that you can’t use another attorney for another case, you may want to go elsewhere.

Can you have more than one attorney on a case?

Yes. But if you name more than one person as your attorney, all your attorneys must agree before a decision can be made on your behalf unless you state otherwise. When two or more attorneys must agree on a decision, they are said to act “jointly”.

Can a person have more than one power of attorney?

When the Power of Attorney document says that they can make decisions together or separately, they are said to act “jointly and severally”. Example: Suppose you live alone and have been in an accident. You need a care facility but you are now mentally incapable of choosing the facility you prefer.

When do two or more attorneys have to agree on a decision?

When two or more attorneys must agree on a decision, they are said to act “jointly”. When the Power of Attorney document says that they can make decisions together or separately, they are said to act “jointly and severally”. Example: Suppose you live alone and have been in an accident.

How many lawyers can a person have represent them?

The strategies will almost always clash at some point and you need to have a hierarchy in place so that when a conflict happens, the lawyers know how it will be handled. Typically… It is okay to have more than 1 attorney as long as they are willing to work together. President, Criminal Courts Bar Association 11′-12’…