consult with an attorney what to expect

by Prof. Roberto Okuneva 4 min read

Depending on the type of situation, the lawyer consultation will attempt to determine if he can help you. He may ask you questions about the situation and request to see documents and photos that support your position.

During your consultation, the attorney will ask about the issues in your case and discuss the merits of the actions and the various ways you can proceed. There will then be a mutual selection process.

Full Answer

How do I find a good lawyer to consult?

Nov 16, 2020 · What to Expect From a Consultation The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.

What happens at an initial consultation with a lawyer?

Dec 10, 2018 · Depending on the type of situation, the lawyer consultation will attempt to determine if he can help you. He may ask you questions about the situation and request to see documents and photos that support your position. This is also the time to share information about witnesses to the incident.

What should I bring to my first consultation with a lawyer?

Jul 17, 2018 · Expectation 1: Expect to tell your attorney your story Before you go for your initial consult, think about what you want from your case. If you are getting divorced, maybe you just want to have it over. If you are fighting over custody, maybe having parenting time is more important to you then the financial issues.

How can I tell if a lawyer is experienced?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship.

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What does it mean to consult with a lawyer?

In short, a legal consultation is an initial meeting with an attorney that takes place before you make the decision on whether to hire that attorney to represent you in your particular legal matter.Jul 22, 2019

How do you prepare for an attorney meeting?

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

What does a consultation consist of?

Consultation definition A meeting to discuss, decide, or plan something, as a meeting of several doctors to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of a patient. A conference for the exchange of information and advice.

What do you wear to a consultation with a lawyer?

The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. Nothing too revealing.Sep 4, 2019

What is an initial consultation?

What is an initial consultation? An initial consultation is the first time that you are able to speak one-on-one with an attorney. Both you and the attorney have a chance here to learn about each other. The lawyer will learn about the details of your case while you learn about the lawyer and the firm.Aug 30, 2020

How do I ask my lawyer about my case?

10 things to ask your lawyer in a case reviewHave you handled this type of case before? ... What is the best method for contacting you? ... Who will be handling my case? ... To whom may I speak with about my case? ... What are your fees? ... Are there other fees for which I will be held responsible?More items...•Apr 18, 2014

What is the purpose of a consultation?

to ask their opinion (e.g. by 'floating' a proposal) to learn their intentions. to get their agreement to what you want. to plan together, to develop a proposal or to advance an argument and.

What is proper consultation?

variable noun. A consultation is a meeting which is held to discuss something. Consultation is discussion about something. COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary.

What does it mean to be in consultation with?

Definition of in consultation with : after having a discussion with The book was chosen in consultation with a panel of experts.

What do you wear to a legal appointment?

When attending court, you should wear formal or business attire. If you do not have formal or business clothing, you should wear your best and most respectful outfit. If possible, try to keep the clothing colours and tones neutral with blacks, greys, blues and whites.Nov 4, 2020

What is women's business casual?

In general, business casual for women includes a skirt or slacks, a blouse, a blazer and an appropriate heel or flat for the office. Business casual do's for women include: Skirts or slacks. Staple pieces include a few pairs of dress slacks and an assortment of knee-length pencil skirts.Dec 10, 2018

Why do lawyers offer free consultations?

Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you. Going to the first meeting with some simple questions can help you ensure you find the right person for the legal help you need. You will not get much legal advice at this consult since it is not meant to resolve your legal ...

What to ask a lawyer about a case?

An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used. Find out if your attorney will attempt to settle and if mediation or arbitration are options. Think about the answers and if you are comfortable with them. Maybe you want to avoid a trial at all costs but your attorney really wants to just go to trial, or perhaps you have no intention of settling and want your day in court. It is important that your lawyer’s strategy lines up with your needs.

What is a meeting with a lawyer?

Meeting with a lawyer for an initial consultation is generally not a chance to ask legal questions that are in depth, but is instead an opportunity to get a sense as to whether this lawyer is the right one to handle your case. Use this meeting to help you decide which lawyer will be the best one for your case.

Why is it important to meet with a small business attorney?

Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting.

Can you ask where an attorney went to law school?

It is generally not very helpful to ask where the attorney went to law school since you can find this information online and it often tells you nothing useful anyhow. Focus instead on experience with your type of case. You can also ask the average verdict the lawyer has obtained in your type of case.

Why is it important to have a first meeting with an attorney?

This first meeting is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the attorney. This is important, because you will be sharing thoughts and feelings that you may not share with anyone else. For that reason, you should feel comfortable speaking with the attorney and you should feel that you can trust the attorney to act in your best interests.

Can an attorney guarantee a monetary award?

However, if the attorney does see merit in your case, you will discuss the situation further. While an attorney can’t guarantee you a specific monetary award, he can use his expertise and past experiences to give you an idea of what to expect in your case.

What is the first meeting between a lawyer and a prospective client?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship. At this point, you are both checking each other out, and getting information and advice that can help you with your case regardless of whether you hire that lawyer or any other one.

Why do attorneys keep their information confidential?

Remember, the attorney will keep this information confidential, unless required to share it with a court because it is relevant to the legal matter or with law enforcement for a public-safety reason. You may think the information is too trivial or embarrassing to mention, but it may well be extremely important, so share it.

How to share documents with a lawyer?

Make a set of copies of everything that you plan to share with the lawyer. Give the lawyer the copies at the beginning of the initial consultation. Prudent attorneys do not accept original documents, and you do not want to waste precious time or money waiting while the attorney makes copies. So fax the documents to the law office before the meeting.

What to do if you have no court papers?

Even if you have no court papers yet, you may have on hand or could readily obtain documents that could be helpful.

Can I meet with an attorney alone?

It is usually in your best interest to meet with the attorney alone, even if the other person is paying for the appointment. Your friend (s) or loved one (s) can wait in the lobby. To avoid interruptions, be sure to turn off all cell phones or other electronic devices just before your appointment.

Family Law Consultation – Tell Your Story

Your first goal as a family law consultation is to accomplish 2 things:

What Information Should You Bring

It is important to know some key pieces of information when going in for a consultation. If the consultation is regarding a divorce, you should know the following:

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The more information you can provide the attorney with an initial consultation, the better he or she can advise you their honest opinion about your case.

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