Follow these steps if you’re considering taking out a loan to pay for a lawyer and other expenses: Get an estimate. Talk to your lawyer or a legal expert about how much you can expect to owe after the lawsuit is done and what you’ll need to pay upfront. Exhaust all free options. To lower the cost, look into no-cost financing options and payment plans first before taking on debt. Compare lenders. Look for a lender that you can qualify with, comparing rates and monthly cost. And make sure your lender offers loans in the range you’re looking for. Personal loans usually run from $2,000 to $50,000, but some can reach $100,000. Prequalify with your top choices. Many lenders give you an estimate of your rates based on a preapplication. Use the results to make a final decision. Submit the full application. Most lenders require more details about your finances after prequalification — plus documents like recent pay stubs and bank statements. Review and sign the agreement. Your loan agreement should contain everything you need to know about your loan and the repayments. Give it a once-over to make sure it’s what you expected before signing off on it.