An Attorney On Retainer

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

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?

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

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

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

FancyPhillyshopper · ‎05-02-2017

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!

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

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.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

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

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

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.

jackiejenny · ‎10-23-2011

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

Never~~~

Tori3569 · ‎06-27-2010

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.