Legal guides: United States
Plain-English explanations of finding and paying for a lawyer, and of common legal problems in the United States, the UK and Europe. Our guides are general information, not legal advice.
United States
US · Finding a lawyer
Hiring a lawyer in the US: questions to ask before you sign
What to ask at the first consultation, how engagement letters and retainers work, and red flags to watch for when hiring a US attorney.
US · Finding a lawyer
How to check if a lawyer is licensed in the US
How to look up an attorney with the state bar, read their license status and discipline history, and protect yourself from scams.
US · Costs
Contingency fees explained: how "no win, no fee" lawyers get paid
What a contingency fee is, typical percentages, how case costs are handled, and the questions to ask before you sign.
US · Costs
How much does a lawyer cost? Hourly rates, flat fees and retainers
The main ways US lawyers charge, what drives the price, and practical ways to keep legal costs down.
US · Personal injury
What to do after a car accident: a step-by-step checklist
What to do at the scene, in the following days, and when to speak to a personal injury lawyer after a car accident in the US.
US · Criminal & DUI
Arrested for DUI? What happens next
The DUI process from arrest to court, the separate license suspension, possible penalties and how a DUI lawyer can help.
US · Debt & bankruptcy
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 bankruptcy: which is right for you?
How the two main consumer bankruptcy options differ, who qualifies, what happens to your home and car, and how a bankruptcy lawyer helps.