how to prepare for attorney consultation call

How To Prepare For The Initial Consultation With Your Attorney

• Gather and organize all relevant documents. Spend some time collecting all the documents related to your legal matter...
• Write a description of the issue in your own words. While the documents you bring can speak for themselves, it is...
• Dress for success. Treat your initial consultation like a business...

Full Answer

How do I prepare for a consultation with a lawyer?

Oct 18, 2018 · Your attorney will be there to ask follow-up questions and help fill in the story as needed. You may find it helpful to create a written timeline of the events that transpired. As you tell your story or the attorney asks questions, you can easily reference these notes. The attorney may also be interested in having a copy of this timeline. Be honest

Does an initial legal consultation mean that the Attorney will represent me?

Dec 29, 2016 · Below are a few things you can do to help your consultation go as smoothly as possible. Things to consider when contacting an attorney. Speak with family and friends. Legal issues are commonplace in today’s society so chances are you know someone who has faced similar circumstances to your own.

What happens during an initial consultation?

Jul 22, 2019 · Before consulting with an attorney you should make sure that you properly prepare for the consultation by gathering any and all documents that are relevant to your case. It is important to bring every document you have for the attorney to review, as they will be able to properly determine which documents are relevant, and which are not.

What is a free initial consultation with a divorce lawyer?

Feb 05, 2017 · Ask the attorney for his or her client intake sheet in advance of the meeting Many attorneys require clients to complete an intake sheet or survey prior to the initial consultation. You can call the attorney’s office in advance to make sure that you have time to …

What should I know before calling a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•Feb 6, 2020

How should I dress for an attorney consultation?

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 do I bring to a consultation?

What Should you bring to your initial consultation?A pen and pad of paper or something to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise.Take the time before you meet with your attorney to write down a list of questions. ... An understanding of your financial situation. ... Bring any documents relevant to your case.Jan 7, 2021

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 I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

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.

How do I prepare for an attorney meeting?

How to prepare for your meetingGather together all the documents that you have about your case.​Think about what you want to say. ... Make a list of questions you want to ask. ... Be prepared to talk about fees. ... Legal Aid clients should bring a Legal Aid Certificate to their first meeting.

What questions should I ask my lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

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

What does a consultation include?

A consultation is a “type of service provided by a physician whose opinion or advice regarding evaluation and/or management of a specific problem is requested by another physician or appropriate sources.”

What do you say to a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•Aug 4, 2015

Should you offer a free consultation?

Offering a free consultation can help you as well as your client. For one, you're helping them develop a sense of trust, not only in you as a therapist, but also in the therapy process overall. A free consult suggests you have confidence in your work and your client's ability to choose to continue with therapy.Dec 10, 2019

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do I Need A Lawyer?

It’s true that not every disagreement or accident case requires a lawyer, but many do. The best way to determine if you could benefit from a lawyer is by evaluating several factors of your case. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the below, it may be time to get that free consultation on the books:

How Will A Lawyer Help Me?

No matter how much research you’ve done and how well educated you are, the legal system is complicated and makes it extremely difficult for anyone to represent themselves. Because every case is unique, it is essential to have a specialist represent you.

Questions To Ask A Potential Lawyer

Before your first consultation with a personal injury lawyer, have the following questions prepared:

Tips To Prepare You For Meeting With A Lawyer

Have these questions with you before your first consultation with a lawyer. They will help you feel prepared and more confident about hiring an attorney. Let’s now go over a few additional tips to guide you when getting ready for an initial consultation with a lawyer:

What to do after initial consultation with attorney?

If you are comfortable with the attorney, the next step after the initial consultation is to sign a retainer agreement. The retainer agreement should, at least, set forth the fee structure and the scope of representation. The exact terms and conditions of your retainer agreement will depend on the attorney and on the nature of your legal matter.

How to present yourself during initial consultation?

Additionally, if your case may go to trial, the way you present yourself during the initial consultation will also help your attorney get a better sense for how you will appear in court. Be truthful. Don’t ever lie to your attorney. Even if you think something can be damaging to your case, it’s even worse to withhold information.

Why is it important to have everything ready for consultation?

Having everything ready from the outset can also save you money, as it will take your attorney less time to work on your case. This is especially true when your attorney is ...

What to do if you can't trust your attorney?

You need to trust your attorney, which is the cornerstone of any successful attorney-client relationship. If you can’t trust your lawyer, then you need to find one who you can . The above tips should help make your initial consultation with your attorney as productive as possible.

Why is it important to hire an attorney?

Hiring an attorney as early on in your case is essential to getting the best representation you can. Meeting with an attorney as soon as possible not only ensures that deadlines aren’t missed, but it also gives your attorney more time to understand the issues and help you reach the best possible resolution.

When collecting documents, it’s better to include too much or too little?

When collecting documents, it’s better to include too much than too little; your attorney will be better able to decide what is and isn’t important. You should also make copies of these documents before your meeting, so you have a copy ready to give to your attorney.

Do lawyers keep files?

Your lawyer will keep a file of everything related to your case, but it is also a good idea for you to keep a file for your own records. Having your own working file will help if you have any questions as your matter moves forward. Listen to your lawyer. While you’re probably as smart as your attorney, you don’t know nearly as much about the law.

How to prepare for a first attorney consultation?

1. Gather your documents. 2. Have your questions ready. 3. Bring something to take notes. 4. Give all the facts.

Why is it important to have a free initial consultation with an attorney?

The first attorney consultation is essential. Most attorneys offer free initial consultations so you can get to know them and their firm. Take advantage of this opportunity. Don’t be afraid to “shop around” before choosing a lawyer because it can take more than one try to find a good fit .

Can you remember what an attorney says?

You won’t be able to remember all of what the attorney says, so writing down some main points is strongly encouraged. While the initial consultation doesn’t include legal advice, you may get some more general information or opinions on your situation.

What is Adam Greenman Law?

Adam Greenman Law is committed to providing personal, one-on-one attention to clients. Here, every client receives undivided focused and personalized support. No matter if you’re prepared for your consultation or not, I’m here to reassure you, help you feel comfortable, and get our relationship off on the right foot.

What to do before getting off a phone call with an attorney?

Before you get off the call, the attorney will outline next steps. If not, make sure to clarify. This helps eliminate any chance of miscommunication. A successful client-attorney relationship is a partnership. You both have to work together to get the best outcome, including following through with whatever you’re asked to do by the law firm.

How to avoid surprises in a lawyer relationship?

Avoid surprises by entering the relationship knowing how much your attorney charges, as well as your payment options.

What is the first conversation with an attorney?

Your first conversation with an attorney is all about you . This is your chance to explain your situation, outlining what happened and describing the details of the incident. Your attorney will help guide the conversation and give you plenty of time to describe the details.

Why do people take notes during conversations?

Many people like to take notes during the conversation. This is because you may find it difficult to remember what was discussed days or weeks later. Jotting down important details can help jog your memory of important information down the line.

Do I need an attorney after a consultation?

Even after a consultation, you are not required to hire the attorney to represent you. It’s always within your right to make the decision that’s best for you and your situation.

How to prepare for a consultation with an attorney?

Before consulting with an attorney you should make sure that you properly prepare for the consultation by gathering any and all documents that are relevant to your case. It is important to bring every document you have for the attorney to review, as they will be able to properly determine which documents are relevant, and which are not.

How to consult with an attorney?

Before consulting with an attorney you should make sure that you properly prepare for the consultation by gathering any and all documents that are relevant to your case. It is important to bring every document you have for the attorney to review, as they will be able to properly determine which documents are relevant, and which are not. Documents that you should bring with you may include any of the following: 1 Contracts: If your claim arose from a contract dispute, then you should bring copies of the contract and any documents explaining the contract; 2 Police or Accident Reports: If possible, you should bring any police or accident report that was created as a result of the incident you were involved in; 3 Property Deeds: If your claim involves a property dispute, you should be sure to bring a copy of the deed or any documents relating to the property, such as an oil and gas lease, etc.; 4 Employment Records: If you claim is an employment dispute, then you should bring all of your employment records, such as your employment contract, employment agreements, or timesheets; or 5 Other Documents Evidencing Damages: Other important documents to bring include any evidence of damages, such as medical records or expenses, or any warranties or letters created by the party you are trying to sue.

What is legal advice?

Legal advice is advice given to a person that seeks the advice from an attorney, the advice given pertains to matters within the attorney’s competence, and the attorney expressly or impliedly agrees to give advice or their assistance in the matter. If such legal advice is given an implied attorney-client relationship may be formed between you ...

What is a legal consultation?

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. Further, the attorney will also use the consultation in order to determine if they can legally and competently represent you based on ...

Why is it important to be honest during a legal consultation?

Another reason to be completely honest during a legal consultation is that legal consultations will always be confidential. This means that what you discuss with an attorney will not be discussed outside the meeting room.

What documents are needed to bring a lawsuit?

Other Documents Evidencing Damages: Other important documents to bring include any evidence of damages, such as medical records or expenses, or any warranties or letters created by the party you are trying to sue.

Is a consultation a client relationship?

Once again, although an initial consultation does not form an attorney-client relationship, as that is not formed until there is a signed representation agreement, everything that you communicate with an attorney during a consultation will remain privileged and confidential, as if an attorney-client privilege had formed.

How to prepare for divorce?

2. Prepare your Income and Expense Declaration. The Income and Expense Declaration is the other document included in the Declaration of Disclosure. The IED includes the party’s income, expenses, and must include recent pay stubs of the person filling out the form. 3. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask the divorce lawyer.

How to contact divorce attorney in Irvine?

If you have an initial consultation with our divorce law office in Irvine, feel free to call us in advance at (949) 955-9155 and we will email the form to you. 8. Information about the other party.

Why do you need an extra copy of a divorce decree?

Documents and evidence that might be important. Often times dissolution of marriage cases are filed because one or both spouses were not acting properly toward the other party or the children of the marriage.