Posts Tagged ‘Attorneys/Lawyers’

What is the most a lawyer can charge in a Social Security case?
We have talked about the typical fee agreement when you are applying for Social Security disability benefits before. But I am often asked what is maximum someone can charge?
Social Security regulations set a cap for attorneys fees.  Originally, the fee cap was $4,000, [...]

A “fee petition” is a way your lawyer asks Social Security for fees for his services.
I though attorneys were paid a percentage of what I get?
Percentage-based contingency fee agreements are the most common way attorneys get paid in Slocial Security cases. However there are two ways an attorney might get paid.
Fee agreements based on a [...]

Meet the most expensive “associate” in most law firms.  More expensive than a regular lawyer.  More expensive than the named partner.  It’s … the photocopier.
I was recently reviewing the charges for a one of my clients who was previously represented by a national law firm.  Do you know how much they were charging for copies? [...]

Even though it often takes a year or even two years to get your Social Security hearing, you may find that you are not ready when the big day finally comes.
Is there any way to continue, postpone, or delay my Social Security hearing?
Yes. You can request a continuance to postpone your hearing.
Lets look at how [...]

Gordon Gates writes about how he tries to make each case different and memorable when preparing to go to hearing.
I am always concerned that a particular claim will not get the attention it deserves at the hearing level, due to the tremendous workload at the Social Security hearing offices. Each administrative law judge decides several hundred [...]

Here is a frequent question:
When should I hire an attorney to help me on Social Security disability benefits case?
Imagine you are skydiving for the first time.  Would you wait until you are in the plane going up for your first jump before asking how to open the parachute?
You may already know that many attorneys will not take [...]

Did you represent yourself at your Social Security disability hearing?
If you were denied, you may find it is difficult to find a lawyer to represent you if you 
Sadly, this is a common problem.  It is much harder to hire an attorney after you been denied.
Why?

Once you hire an attorney to represent you on your Social Security case, you may find that Social Security does not want to release any more information to you.  This is especially true at the Social Security ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review) offices.  
Don’t worry, there is nothing nefarious going on.  
It is [...]

The one thing people are most surprised about when they go to a hearing is that the lawyer does not do all of the talking. In fact, it is the claimant (aka “you”) who has to answer the Judge’s questions.  I hear a lot of questions and comments about this.  
I went to my hearing and [...]

Pop Quiz: Do you save money by waiting to hire a lawyer/attorney until your hearing is scheduled?
Answer:  No.
In a normal Social Security contingency fee agreement, you pay the same amount whether you hire an attorney a year before the hearing, or a week before the hearing.
Most Social Security disability cases are taken on a contingency fee [...]

There are times when dealing with a large company is great: buying a car, for example. You do not want to be working with “Joe’s Car Hut.”
But any legal matter, especially a Social Security disability claim, needs a personal touch.
As a lawyer handling Social Security cases in Colorado, I have heard many people [...]

Social Security lawyer Jonathan Ginsgerg has a great article about when NOT to fire your attorney and some of the unexpected consequences of kicking your lawyer to the curb!
A good point Jonathan brings up is that you may have a hard time finding a new lawyer willing to take your case:
Many lawyers are reluctant to accept [...]

If you are denied at your Social Security hearing by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you have the right to appeal the judge’s decision to the Social Security Appeals Council.  
To do this, you need to file form HA-520-U5 “Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order.”  You only have 60 + 5 days to get the [...]

Are you struggling with working because of physical or psychological impairments?  Have you stopped working because you just could no longer do the job?
You may be going back and forth on whether to apply for Social Security:
Maybe I will get better.  But, what will I do if I am not able to go back to [...]

One of the hardest parts about getting help on a Social Security case is finding the right person to work with.
What if i hire a lawyer and they don’t do anything?
What if I am not happy with the lawyer?
I don’t want to be stuck with a big bill.
Fortunately, Social Security takes a lot of [...]