Before you hire an attorney

You should check with the state bar to review the record of your prospective attorney. Most of the time this is an online search (for example in California one would go to their web site ). At a minimum you will be able to confirm that they are licensed to practice in your state, when they were admitted to the state bar and what law school they attended.

More importantly, in many states the online material will show you if there has been disciplinary action against the attorney. I recently checked out a California attorney that has been practicing since the late 1980's but had been disciplined for not filing the proper papers with the court for a conservatorship. She had been paid in advance, and the clients had to hire another attorney to complete the work. Does this sound like the kind of attorney you want working for you?