An initial consultation is a great way to break the ice. Make sure to summarize your needs for yourself or the older adult you are caring for to make sure they can further help you. You can do this with multiple lawyers and compare their style and experience and see which one works better for you and your needs. 

     Their experience plays to your advantage when it comes to the benefits they can help you get. Ask about their experience in key issues you are trying to figure out such as power of Attorney or long term care planning. Have them describe how they have worked out past issues related to your problem.

     When talking to them whether over the phone or in person make sure to evaluate their customer service. Such questions include: Are they polite and Professional? Do they return calls and emails? Do they seem to explain things in a way that you can understand? Do they follow through? These questions will likely draw you closer to or away from certain attorneys.

     Keep up with all the lawyers in question by taking notes. You can rate them as you go and evaluate which is the best one. Review your notes to determine the best ft for your needs. 

     Credentials are everything to attorneys. Make sure they are licensed to practice law in that state by checking the State Bar Association. You can also look up the attorney’s bar number to see if they have ever been publicly disciplined. Along with this their companies page will often have reviews left by previous clients you can use to determine their credibility.