Top Mamaroneck, NY Same Sex Marriage Lawyers Near You

Are You Considering a Same Sex Marriage ?

Laws addressing same sex marriage frequently are being enacted and old laws are being rewritten. By the end of 2013, 16 states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex couples to legally marry. Because not every state allows these marriages or recognizes the marriage of same-sex couples married in other jurisdictions, it is critical that you know the law as it applies where you live.

Know the Law Before You Marry Your Same Sex Partner

Do you want to marry your same sex partner but don’t know if same-sex marriages are legal where you live? Are you concerned that by marrying your partner either or both of you may lose certain rights of have your rights limited? It is important that you talk with a Mamaroneck lawyer who can advise you on the current state of the same sex marraige laws in your area.

How an Attorney Can Help

An attorney can often resolve your particular legal issue faster and better than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors. You should seek out an attorney whose practice focuses on the area of law most relevant to your issue.

Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer

• What is the usual process to resolve my case? How long will it take to resolve this?
• What are likely outcomes of a case like mine? What should I expect?

An experienced lawyer should be able to communicate a basic “road map” on how to proceed. The lawyer should be able to walk you through the anticipated process, key considerations, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Once you’ve laid out the facts of your situation to the lawyer, he/she should be able to frame expectations and likely scenarios to help you understand your legal issue.

Types of legal fees:

Bill by the hour: Many attorneys bill by the hour. How much an attorney bills you per hour will vary based on a number of factors. For instance, an attorney’s hourly fee may fluctuate based on whether that hour is spent representing you in court or doing research on your case. Attorneys in one practice area may bill you more than attorneys in a different practice area.

Contingent fee: Some lawyers will accept payment via contingent fee. In this arrangement, the lawyer receives a percentage of the total monetary recovery if you win your lawsuit. In sum, the lawyer only gets paid if you win. Contingent fee agreements are limited to specific practice areas in civil law.

Flat fee: For “routine” legal work where the attorney generally knows the amount of time and resources necessary to complete the task, he/she may be willing to bill you a flat fee for services performed.

Common legal terms explained

Affidavit – A sworn written statement made under oath. An affidavit is meant to be a supporting document to the court assisting in the verification of certain facts. An affidavit may or may not require notarization.