Frequently asked questions

Yes, for people looking for help. In exchange, you agree to receive advertising emails from FindLegal. You can unsubscribe from those emails at any time — but because they're what keeps the service free, you'll be asked to opt back in the next time you sign in if you want to keep using client features. Lawyers can list for free, and can pay for optional premium features.

No. FindLegal is not a law firm and doesn't give legal advice. Our assistant helps you describe your situation clearly, and we connect you with independent professionals who can advise you. An attorney-client relationship only starts when you and a provider agree to it.

Your summary (without your name or contact details) goes to the verified providers we match with your request, so they can check for conflicts and decide whether they can help. To find you more options, we may also email a redacted version (no names, contact details, addresses, exact dates or other identifying details) to attorneys licensed in your state who aren't on FindLegal yet; they see the full summary only after they register and are verified. Your identity is shared only with the provider you choose to hire. Information you share before hiring someone is generally not protected by attorney-client privilege, so share only what's needed.

When they join, providers give their license or registration number and confirm it's active and in good standing. Where public bar records are available, we link the number to the public record. FindLegal doesn't guarantee any provider's standing, so always confirm it with the state bar or licensing body before you hire.

By default you may also hear from non-attorney professionals — licensed paraprofessionals, registered document preparers, or DOJ-accredited representatives — but only where your state allows them to do that kind of work. They're always clearly labeled, and you can choose to hear from attorneys only.

Only providers licensed for your state and practice area are eligible. Among them we consider things like location, language and track record, and spread requests fairly. Whether a provider pays FindLegal never affects matching. Clients and providers don't search for each other: matching is done for you, and any paid features in our emails are clearly labeled as advertising.

Each provider quotes their own fee — a free consultation, a flat fee, an hourly rate, or (where allowed) a contingency fee. You agree the fee directly with the provider and pay them directly. FindLegal never handles your money and never takes a share of legal fees.

One at a time. You can send a new request once a lawyer accepts your previous one (you hire someone), or a month after you sent it. If no lawyer has quoted on it yet, you can withdraw it and post a new one straight away. This keeps matching fair and helps lawyers focus on your current matter.

If you have a court date or deadline in the next couple of days, contact the court clerk or a local legal aid office right away rather than waiting for quotes. In an emergency, call 911.

Use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any advertising email, or Email preferences in your account menu. It takes effect immediately. Service messages about your requests (new quotes, messages) are separate and continue while you have an account.

Listing is free and includes a few request responses each month. Pro and Firm plans add unlimited responses, enhanced profiles and tools. We never take referral fees or a share of your fees. See For lawyers for details.

Yes, on every plan. Open Billable hours in the side menu to run a timer or add time manually, on FindLegal matters or your own matters outside FindLegal. Hours round up to tenths by default, and you can mark entries as billed and export them to CSV for your billing software. Your time records are private: clients never see them, and FindLegal doesn't bill clients for you.

No. There's no directory on either side. When a client submits a request, our AI matches it to eligible providers and notifies them. You'll see matched requests under Client requests and can choose which ones to quote on.

We sometimes invite attorneys licensed in the client's state to join when a request matches their practice. The email contains only a redacted summary. To see the full request and respond, register using the link in the email; once we verify your license, the request appears in your account. You can unsubscribe from these invitations with one click.