Legal issues can come up at any time, and there are many factors to consider before choosing the right attorney to help you. You might need a contract reviewed, have a question about a lease, or want to draft a simple will. If you're not sure which type of lawyer to call, a general practice attorney can be your first step toward solving the problem.
To give you a better idea of what a general practice attorney is, think of them like a general contractor, someone who understands many areas and knows how to deal with various challenges or bring in the right specialists when needed. These attorneys can handle a wide range of legal issues and provide well-rounded support for common legal needs.
This guide, developed with insights from our legal team, will help you understand when a general practice attorney might be the right move for your situation.
What Is a General Practice Attorney?
A general practice attorney is a licensed lawyer who handles legal matters across various areas of law. Instead of focusing on a single specialty, they offer broad legal knowledge and can assist with a wide range of issues commonly faced by individuals and small businesses.
To become a general practice attorney, one must graduate from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, pass the state bar examination, and maintain good standing with the bar.
General law practitioners are especially common in smaller towns and communities. But, with virtual legal services like those offered by Remote Attorneys, you can now access their support from anywhere.
What does a General Practice Attorney do?
General practice attorneys provide legal support across multiple areas of law. While they might not take on highly specialized cases, their broad expertise allows them to help clients with common legal needs.
Here’s what a general practice lawyer typically can help you with:
- Estate planning – Creating wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents.
- Family law – Handling divorces, child custody agreements, spousal support, and adoption.
- Real estate law – Assisting with property purchases, sales, and landlord-tenant issues.
- Business formation – Setting up LLCs, partnerships, and corporations.
- Contract review and drafting – Creating and analyzing contracts for personal or business use.
- Criminal Defense law – Representing clients for misdemeanors, traffic violations, and minor criminal offenses.
- Personal injury law – Helping with insurance claims and smaller injury cases
- Debt and financial issues – Addressing collections, bankruptcy considerations, and creditor negotiations.
- Employment Law – Reviewing and advising on employment contracts, workplace disputes, and claims.
- Immigration Law – Assisting with visas, green card applications, and citizenship processes
- Tax Law – Basic tax advice and resolving minor tax disputes.
- Legal Advice – Answering legal questions and guidance on rights and responsibilities of clients.
- Client Representation – Representing clients in court hearings, mediation, or administrative proceedings.
If your situation requires deeper expertise, they’ll usually refer you to a specialist.
When Do I Need a General Practice Attorney?
A general practice attorney can be valuable when you’re facing a legal issue. Consider reaching out to one when you’re under this situation:
- You're planning major life events like marriage or retirement
- You need to create or update estate planning documents
- You're starting a small business or restructuring an existing
- You're buying or selling property
- You're facing a family law matter like divorce or adoption
- You need contract review before signing important agreements
- You've been charged with a minor criminal offense
- You need guidance on a potential legal issue
- You have a legal question but aren’t sure where to start
- You’re dealing with multiple issues that span different areas of law
- You need a will, contract, or other document drafted or reviewed
What’s their Pros and Cons?
Before deciding to hire a general law practitioner, it’s helpful to weigh the advantages and limitations. Here’s a clear breakdown:
Pros
- Wide legal coverage. They can help with various legal issues across a wide range of practice areas.
- Cost-effective. For general legal needs, working with one attorney for various matters can be more economical than hiring multiple specialists.
- All-in-one legal resource. They can handle multiple legal matters for you, eliminating the need to find different lawyers for each issue.
- Convenience. You can turn to one attorney for ongoing legal guidance. Over time, your attorney develops deep familiarity with your personal and business affairs, becoming a trusted advisor rather than just a service provider.
- Referral network. If your issue requires deeper expertise, a generalist can point you in the right direction and refer you to a trusted specialist.
Cons
- Limited specialization. They may not be the best fit for complex or highly technical cases, such as complicated tax issues or specialized litigation.
- Scope of representation. Some generalists might not handle court representation for serious matters, depending on their experience and focus.
- Varied experience levels. Because generalists work across many areas, depth in any one field may vary. It’s important to ask about their experience with your specific issue.
General Practice Attorney Hiring Cost
Legal costs can feel unclear, especially when you’re not sure how complex your issue is. General law practitioners usually offer flexible pricing based on the type of service and how long it might take.
Below are the cost structure for their fees:
Hourly Rates
On average, general practice attorneys charge an hourly rate ranging from $150 to $350 per hour, depending on location, experience, and complexity of your legal matter. For example, urban areas typically command higher rates than rural regions.
Flat Fees
For predictable services like writing a will or forming an LLC, attorneys may offer flat-fee pricing. These typically range from $200 to $2,500, based on the complexity of the service.
Common flat-fee services include:
- Will: $300-$1500
- LLC formation: $500-$2,500
- Uncontested divorce: $500-$2,500
- Name change: $200-$400
- Power of attorney document: $200-$400
Flat fees provide certainty about your total costs upfront, making them popular for straightforward legal matters with a clear scope of work.
Retainer Arrangements
A retainer is an upfront payment that works like a deposit for future services. The attorney bills against this amount as they work on your case. Typical retainer fee ranges from $500 to $5,000 for general law practice matters.
Contingency fees
Contingency fees are primarily used in personal injury cases and some other civil litigation matters. Under this arrangement, the attorney receives a percentage of your settlement or court award if you win, typically 33-40% based on case complexity and risk. If your case doesn't result in a recovery, you generally won't owe attorney fees.
Always discuss fee structures upfront with any tax attorney you're considering, and get the agreement in writing before moving forward.
Common Cost of General Law Practice Services
Here's a quick look at what you might pay for common general practice services:
These are general estimates; actual costs vary by location, service complexity, and attorney experience.
How Do I Find the Right General Practice Attorney Near Me?
When talking to an attorney, ask about their experience with your type of issue, their pricing model, and how they prefer to communicate.
Here's how to start your search:
- Ask for referrals – Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues who have hired a general practice attorney before. Personal referrals are often the most reliable way to find someone trustworthy, especially if your contact had a similar legal issue.
- Use trusted legal directories – Explore reputable platforms that include verified attorney profiles, practice areas, years of experience, and client reviews to help you narrow down your options.
- Check your state bar – Most state bar websites offer searchable databases of licensed attorneys. These listings confirm whether the attorney is in good standing and can also show if they’ve ever faced disciplinary action.
- Try virtual legal platforms – Companies like Remote Attorneys offer a platform where you can choose from pre-vetted attorneys, manage them, handle payments, and access ongoing assistance—all in one place.
As you evaluate potential attorneys, keep these tips in mind:
- Ask about their experience with legal matters similar to yours.
- Discuss their fee structure upfront to make sure it fits your budget.
- Verify their credentials, including law school, bar admissions, and any disciplinary history.
Pro Tip: When interviewing potential attorneys, ask about their communication policy. How quickly do they respond to emails or calls? Will you work directly with the attorney or primarily with paralegals? Setting clear expectations early on helps build a smooth and effective working relationship.
Is It Worth Hiring a General Practitioner: Final Thoughts
A general practice attorney can be a reliable resource for everyday legal matters. While specialists might be necessary for complex matters, a general practitioner offers a well-rounded support for most everyday situations. They save you time and the cost of hiring multiple specialists for different issues.
For many individuals and small businesses, having a general practice attorney means peace of mind knowing you have someone who understands your situation and can step in as legal needs arise.
At Remote Attorneys, we make it easy to get the legal help you need. Our vetted attorneys serve clients across the United States, so you never have to navigate legal issues alone.
How Hiring Remote General Law Practitioners Can Help Law Firms
According to the American Bar Association, 87% of law firms now allow lawyers to work remotely—reflecting the legal industry’s growing flexibility and alignment with modern workplace arrangements. Law firms of all sizes can benefit from integrating remote general practice attorneys into their operations. Instead of bringing on in-house staff or juggling multiple freelance specialists, you get legal support that adapts to your firm’s needs.
Here are some of the ways they can help:
- Expand practice areas without the overhead costs of office space, benefits, and equipment
- Support in managing caseloads during busy periods
- Accept cases outside the firm’s core specialties
- Establish a presence in new markets without opening physical offices
- Improve work-life balance for attorneys and support staff, reducing burnout and turnover
- Enable electronic signatures for faster document execution
Hiring a virtual lawyer can be a game changer for firms seeking affordable and convenient legal services. Does your firm need general legal support? Click here to get started today.
