Think about this: You are sitting in front of a laptop and fighting with a pop-up that says, “Chat with a local attorneys online!” What is your mission? Help with the law. Everything has a strange business-like feel about it. Every picture looks like a stock photo. But your problem is real. It might be a lease dispute, a traffic ticket, a lot of paperwork, or even a family fight that has gone to court. You ended up here instead of the offices with mahogany walls that you could have imagined as a child. See more on localattorneysonline.com

Let’s be honest. The internet has turned the legal world upside down. You don’t have to look through an old phone book or hope that your cousin’s friend’s cousin’s lawyer is good. You can obtain a lot of results by searching for “lawyer near me” on Google right now. Too much? Of course. Helpful? You can only do it if you know some tricks.

First things first: Don’t be fooled by shiny websites. Some legal websites show off more credentials than a diner that has won every “Best Diner in Town” award since 1987. If you don’t understand the legalese, check for evaluations in plain English. Yelp, Google, and even little message boards can sometimes offer hot, honest stories. People prefer to tell their friends about their successes and scary stories.

What are chatbots? There are a lot of them. Some people don’t know what they’re talking about, like talking to a magic eight-ball. Some of these get you to genuine people faster than you think. When you click the “get a free consultation” button, don’t give out your personal information right away. Some websites might sell your information before you even have time to read their privacy policy. Keep the information for people, not robots.

Now here’s a hack that doesn’t get enough credit: Call the courtroom in your area. The clerk won’t give you advise, but they do sometimes name-drop lawyers who come in and really get things done. The same is true for your realtor aunt or small company owner—they deal with contracts and other legal papers all the time.

You can locate legal hotlines online that are open 24 hours a day if you need help right now. If you’re in trouble at 2 AM, they’re a lifeline, but don’t expect too much from them. Midnight legal advice doesn’t always help. Don’t expect miracles; think about how to fix things.

Social networking may be both good and bad. If you post in your neighborhood group, all of a sudden everyone’s brother or neighbor is “the best lawyer.” Take attention if you see the same recommendations over and over. There is a reason why local lawyers who get a lot of word-of-mouth business tend to stay in business.

People don’t want to admit it, but fee surprises happen more often than they should. If you’re not careful, the gleaming “free” consultation can turn into strange expenses. Always say, “How much do you charge per hour?” Retainer? “Are there any extra costs I should be aware of?” If they can’t answer right away, leave.

You don’t have to be versed in legalese. Lawyers who are good talk like regular people. You’re on the correct track if the person you locate online can explain your alternatives without using technical language. If their eyes (or webcam) glaze over when you ask simple queries, keep looking.

Sometimes, the best advice comes from someone you wouldn’t expect. I met an excellent divorce lawyer after talking to a stranger at the laundromat. You can find one online in a few minutes, but you might get a better connection from someone at your neighborhood coffee shop who is drinking a latte.

Don’t just pick the first dazzling ad you see; this isn’t a shopping spree. Take a deep breath. Look at the differences. Look at the reviews. Give a few calls. There is a good lawyer out there; you just need to click a few times and ask a few questions. If nothing else works, don’t be scared to ask the loudest person you know. They always seem to know someone who can help.