topic An Attorney On Retainer in Community Chat

An Attorney On Retainer

occasionalrain — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 23:18:34 GMT

My parents had an attorney on retainer but my husband and I don't. I've been wondering if perhaps we should, so what do you think? Do you? Should we?

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

Shelbelle — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 23:20:04 GMT

We dont, unless you need to hire one for anything particular why pay a retainer fee, you can always hire one if needed.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

occasionalrain — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 23:31:44 GMT

@Shelbelle

We have for things like buying property, but suppose we are in a situation, wrong place wrong time, and are arrested. We would need an attorney asap to arrange bail, represent us at a hearing. One on retainer would be a member of a firm so an attorney would be provided day or night.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

sunshine45 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 23:36:05 GMT

we have a lawyer that we can count on at anytime for any situation. he is easily reachable by email, phone, or text.

he is NOT on any type of retainer.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

FancyPhillyshopper — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 23:54:36 GMT

Attorneys specialize.

Having one on retainer may be useful if that lawyer assists with your work/business, and is constantly consulted regarding business matters, or if you are extremely wealthy and you need to have specialty lawyers overseeing trusts, etc.

However, for different matters, you want to consult legal experts, the same as in the medical profession. In that case, a retainer is useless if you need a criminal attorney, and your lawyer only knows labor law.

BTW, a family member is a lawyer with expertise in intellectual property. I am sure in the next few years AI specialties will also arise in the legal profession!

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

kaydee50 — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:03:38 GMT

Why? We've only used an attorney for real estate transactions and for wills, etc. I guess if we had a business an attorney on retainer might be worth it but otherwise, no.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

Shelbelle — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:21:02 GMT

Sorry, but I would never pay to keep a lawyer on retainer just in case I was arrested, yikes !!

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

drizzellla — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:38:22 GMT

I only people I know that have a lawyer on retainer, do it because of their profession.

And it was invaluable for my former boss. A newer manager of the company thought he could do a better job than the present managers were doing running the company.

Lots of subpoenas were issued. And lots of lawyers involved. My former boss had a lawyer on retainer. And the lawyer's bill would have been $500,000+.

My brother also had a lawyer on retainer. He was a long distance truck driver. And knew he had to have a lawyer, in case he had an accident. Because as soon as you have an accident, the trucking firm fires you. My brother never had to use a lawyer. He had no accidents in over the 5 million miles that he drove.

Not sure why you feel you need a lawyer on retainer. And not just hire one if needed.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

jackiejenny — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:45:10 GMT

I would never in a million years have an attorney on retainer.

Never~~~

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

Tori3569 — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:58:31 GMT

I actually have legal coverage with my employee benefits. It's through Met Life and only about $4 per week. I haven't needed to use it, but it's a good employee benefit to have.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

BoopOMatic — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 01:03:14 GMT

I thought only rich people had an attorney on retainer.

(Of course, you might be rich, for all I know, @occasionalrain )

It sounds so sophisticated.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 01:27:48 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
I actually have legal coverage with my employee benefits. It's through Met Life and only about $4 per week. I haven't needed to use it, but it's a good employee benefit to have.

We have that too. Have used it to draw up our wills and purchase real estate.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

Kalli — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 01:55:45 GMT

We've never had an attorney on retainer. We used the same lawyer from the same law firm for many years but that person is retired.

Now we have a lawyer who's much younger than our own grown children! 😆

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

AZfem — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 02:45:54 GMT

You know the court will appoint a lawyer for you if you need one. If you don't like them, ask for a referral to private attorneys.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

LuvSoCal — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 03:46:19 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
I actually have legal coverage with my employee benefits. It's through Met Life and only about $4 per week. I haven't needed to use it, but it's a good employee benefit to have.

@Tori3569 I also have legal insurance for a nominal monthly fee. I first signed up through my employer many years ago and have carried it over into retirement. I've never had to use it.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

ALRATIBA — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 03:51:45 GMT

My sister and nephew (her son) are lawyers.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

CalminHeart — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 11:54:57 GMT

I can't imagine having an attorney on retainer. If you need an attorney, get one. If not, why pay for something you don't need?

One might need an attorney on retainer if I was a mobster, accused of serious crimes, accused of multiple crimes, etc.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

Bri369 — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 12:52:56 GMT

I guess if I led a high-risk lifestyle and engaged in questionable activities, I would consider having an attorney on retainer. I've only needed an attorney for real estate transactions and to draw up some legal paperwork for trusts and things of that sort. Keeping him on retainer would not be cost effective.

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

CelticCrafter — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:00:06 GMT

Why?

Re: An Attorney On Retainer

Sage04 — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 17:23:09 GMT

It's not something I would do but if I wanted to, it would be a Criminal lawyer. You never know.