By the FindAttorneys.org Editorial Team · Last reviewed: October 2026
Most people now find their lawyer the same way they find a dentist or a contractor: a search, a few websites, some reviews, and a video call. That makes it easier to reach a lawyer quickly. It also makes it easier to hire someone who is not licensed in your state, does not handle your type of case, or charges in a way you did not expect.
This checklist covers what to verify before an online consultation, what to ask during it, and the warning signs that should send you elsewhere.
Quick Checklist
| Check | How to do it | Why it matters |
| License in your state | Search the state bar’s attorney directory | Lawyers generally may practice only where licensed |
| Discipline history | Same state bar listing | Public discipline is usually shown on the record |
| Practice area match | Website, bio, and direct questions | Family, injury, criminal, and business law differ sharply |
| Fee structure in writing | Ask for the engagement or fee agreement | Contingent fees must be in a signed writing |
| Secure communication | Ask how documents and messages are handled | Protects confidentiality and privilege |
1. Start With the License, Not the Website
A polished website does not prove anyone is a licensed attorney. Every state bar or supreme court maintains a public directory showing whether a lawyer is licensed, in good standing, and in many states, whether they have been disciplined. The American Bar Association’s legal help directory links to state resources.
Location matters even for video consultations. Under rules modeled on ABA Model Rule 5.5, lawyers generally may not practice law in a state where they are not admitted. Some federal matters, such as immigration, can be handled by a lawyer licensed in any state, but a Texas divorce or an Ohio injury claim generally needs a lawyer licensed in that state.
2. Match the Lawyer to the Problem
Lawyers tend to concentrate their practice, and the differences matter. Someone who handles business contracts may not know family court procedure, and a criminal defense lawyer may not know how injury insurers value claims. Before contacting anyone, write down the type of issue, the state where it arose, and any deadlines you know about, such as a court date or a filing deadline.
When reviewing a lawyer’s profile, look for specifics: the case types they handle most often, the courts they appear in, and whether they hold a board certification in the area. Several states, and some national organizations accredited by the ABA, certify lawyers as specialists after they meet experience and testing requirements.
3. Read Reviews Critically
Online reviews can show how a lawyer communicates, but they have limits. Clients rarely know whether a different lawyer would have achieved a better result, and reviews may reflect a stressful case more than the lawyer’s skill. The FTC’s 2024 rule banning fake reviews prohibits fake, AI-generated, and undisclosed insider reviews and paying for positive ones, but enforcement is not perfect. Look for detailed reviews that describe specific experiences, and be cautious of profiles with a sudden burst of short, generic five-star ratings.
4. Understand Exactly How You Will Be Charged
Lawyers commonly charge in one of three ways:
- Hourly: common in family, business, and many litigation matters, usually with an upfront retainer.
- Flat fee: common for defined tasks such as a will, a contract review, or an uncontested divorce.
- Contingency: common in personal injury cases, where the lawyer is paid a percentage of any recovery.
Under ABA Model Rule 1.5, adopted in some form in every state, a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client and must explain how the percentage and expenses are calculated. The same rule generally prohibits contingent fees in divorce cases where the fee depends on securing the divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or a property settlement.
That matters for anyone seeking spousal support. A family lawyer will usually bill hourly or by flat fee, not take a percentage of the award, so it is worth asking for a realistic estimate of total fees and comparing it to what is at stake. If litigating a modest support claim would cost more than the support itself, a negotiated agreement or mediation may make more financial sense. Findattorneys.org’s article on whether you need a divorce lawyer discusses when representation is worth the cost.
5. Protect Your Confidentiality
What you tell a lawyer during an initial consultation is generally confidential even if you never hire them. ABA Model Rule 1.18 protects information shared by prospective clients. That protection can be weakened by how you communicate, though. Avoid using a work email account or an employer’s device for legal matters, ask whether the firm uses a secure client portal for documents, and join video calls from a private location. ABA ethics opinions also require lawyers practicing virtually to take reasonable steps to secure client communications.
Legal marketplaces and AI chat tools can help with general information, but they are not your lawyer, and what you type into them may not be privileged.
6. Use the First Consultation to Test Communication
An initial consultation is as much an interview of the lawyer as it is advice. Useful questions include:
- How many cases like mine have you handled in the last few years?
- Who will handle my case day to day, and how quickly do you usually respond?
- What are the main risks in my situation, and what outcome is realistic?
- What will this likely cost in total, not just per hour?
A lawyer who explains the downside, not just the upside, is usually giving a more honest assessment.
What a Results Page Can and Cannot Tell You
Firm websites often feature case results, and they are worth reading carefully. One long-established Indiana personal injury firm, founded in 1913, publishes 22 results ranging from $250,000 to $5 million, mostly car and semi-truck crashes and wrongful death cases. The list shows the firm handles serious vehicle cases regularly, which is useful information for someone hurt in a truck crash.
What the list does not show is just as important: the facts of each case, the injuries, how long each took, and how much the client received after fees and costs. Results like these help confirm a firm’s experience with a type of case, but they are a starting point for questions, not a prediction. Asking a lawyer to walk through a comparable case, including the net amount to the client, is often more revealing. Reviewing results this way, alongside license status and client communication, is one practical way to choose a reliable lawyer.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Red Flags
- No verifiable bar license, or a license only in another state for a state-law matter.
- Guaranteed outcomes or promises about how much money you will receive.
- Pressure to sign immediately, or a refusal to put fees in writing.
- Requests to pay through unusual methods such as gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- Unsolicited contact after an accident from someone offering to connect you with a lawyer.
Findattorneys.org’s guide to the dos and don’ts of hiring an accident attorney covers additional mistakes to avoid in injury cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a lawyer is licensed?
Search the attorney directory of the state bar or state supreme court where your case arises. It shows license status and, in many states, any public discipline.
Is an online legal consultation confidential?
Generally yes. Information shared with a lawyer during a consultation is protected even if you do not hire them, but use a private device and secure channel.
Can a lawyer take a percentage of spousal support?
Generally no. Professional conduct rules in most states prohibit contingent fees based on the amount of alimony or support awarded.
Can I hire a lawyer from another state online?
Usually only for matters governed by federal law or the law of a state where that lawyer is licensed.
Authorities & Sources
- ABA Model Rule 1.5: Fees
- ABA Model Rule 1.18: Duties to prospective clients
- ABA Model Rule 5.5: Unauthorized and multijurisdictional practice
- FTC: Final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials (2024)
- American Bar Association: Find legal help
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about choosing a lawyer and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Professional conduct rules vary by state, and the ABA Model Rules are a framework that states adopt with changes. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer licensed in the relevant state.
