• Control: How much control will you have over fees and expenses?
  Do you want to be notified after fees and expenses reach a certain amount?
  Do you want to be notified before the lawyer incurs an expense over a certain amount?

You might want to take notes during your discussions so you can know what terms you and the lawyer agreed upon. Based on your discussions, you should have the fee arrangement put in writing.

The lawyer may have a pre-printed fee agreement for you to sign. If the agreement does not include the terms your discussed with the lawyer, ask the lawyer to change the language. The agreement should state clearly what you and the lawyer agreed to do.