Can you hire a lawyer over the internet?
Through some Web sites you can hire a lawyer -- who may be a great distance away -- to either handle your entire case, or just to give you advice or prepare some forms for you. You should be careful and check references, especially when dealing with for-profit vendors over the Web. There are many online directories of lawyers, and services that match clients and lawyers. Many of these are for-profit enterprises. Some earn revenue from fees charged to clients, others support themselves by offering books, forms or other information for sale to the public, and still others charge lawyers a fee to participate. Remember that lawyers are licensed to practice on a state-by-state basis. If you are hiring a lawyer, make sure that he or she is licensed in the appropriate state. You can make sure the person really is a lawyer by contacting the state agency that licenses lawyers (see below "How do you know if a lawyer is licensed?").

How do you know if a lawyer is licensed?

Lawyers are licensed by a state agency in each state. You should contact the appropriate state agency or state bar association to find out if a person has a law license and is permitted to practice in a particular state.

Do I have to hire a lawyer if I have a legal problem?

You don't always need to hire a lawyer for every legal issue. Many people solve their legal disagreement with someone else without using lawyers and the courts. This is called Mediation or Dispute Resolution.