initial attorney consultation what to expect

• Initial Consultation. Since initial consultations are fairly informal, they provide an excellent opportunity for you to tell your story fully and in confidence since your conversation is protected by the ...
• A Clear Understanding. Attorney Mary’s goal for every initial consultation is that the client leaves feeling empowered, confident, and with a clear understanding of what the future holds for their ...
• A Range Of Options For You. If you’re unsure if you can afford full representation on the spot, an initial consultation is a perfect opportunity to discuss a range of ...
• Schedule A Consultation. Also, Mary encourages clients to come in for an initial consultation well before beginning a divorce, custody, or immigration matter so that she can help create a ...

Full Answer

What happens at an initial consultation with a lawyer?

What To Expect at an Initial Attorney Consultation. IF YOU’VE BEEN involved in an accident you should absolutely consider hiring a personal injury attorney; naturally, many victims can feel intimidated or nervous about visiting a lawyer’s office for the first time. However, there is no need to worry. Your attorney is your strongest advocate and best chance at recovering …

How do I find a good lawyer to consult?

Nov 16, 2020 · At the initial consultation the attorney will generally ask you to give him or her a brief description of what you need help with. At this point, the attorney is not looking for the whole story, but a brief summary.

What should I look for when hiring a lawyer?

Dec 10, 2018 · The Attorney Will Evaluate Your Case. Initial Lawyer Consultation. It’s Time For You to Evaluate the Attorney. When You Get an Attorney. If you have never hired a Miami injury lawyer, you may not know what to expect from the experience and that can be a little intimidating. Since this isn’t something you can avoid doing if you’re facing a legal issue, it’s …

How do I find the right lawyer for my case?

The purpose of the initial consultation is for both the attorney and the prospective client to obtain and discuss the necessary information to make an informed decision on handling the case moving forward. ... you should always expect the attorney to discuss your case’s statute of limitations. This discussion usually starts with the attorney ...

What happens at an initial consultation?

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. ... You will decide if you want to work with the attorney and the attorney will let you know whether she is willing to take your case.

How do I prepare my first consultation with a lawyer?

Prepare For Your ConsultationBring all documents. Make copies of all the documents you have collected regarding your case and give these copies to your lawyer.Have notes ready. ... Dress for success. ... Be honest. ... Talk about costs. ... Ask your lawyer questions. ... Understand all documents you sign. ... Keep your own files.More items...

What does initial consultation mean?

An initial consultation is the first time that you are able to speak one-on-one with an attorney. ... It is also the first chance that the firm and the lawyers will hear about your case in order to gather more information about you and the legal matters you are entangled in.Aug 30, 2020

How long is an initial consultation?

This process can take anywhere from ten to thirty minutes depending on the potential client's situation. After the initial consultation, the employment attorney reviews the case and does any necessary legal research.

What are six examples of cases when a lawyer should be contacted?

11 Situations Where You Need A Lawyer (And 3 Where You Don't!)A Complex or Nasty Divorce. ... A Wrongful Termination or Discrimination in the Workplace. ... Law Suits. ... A DUI. ... Drug Charges. ... A Car Accident with Injury. ... Criminal Charges. ... Wills and Trusts.More items...

What should I wear to 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. ... If you need to refer to a document, pull out what you have and be sure to give it to your attorney.Sep 4, 2019

What is a free initial consultation?

So, when a lawyer says that he or she will provide a free consultation it means that they will sit down with you, hear about your problem, and give you some initial thoughts about it, at no charge or obligation to you. This meeting gives you a chance to "interview" the lawyer and the lawyer the chance to interview you.Oct 17, 2011

What is the difference between a consultation and an assessment?

Consultation is defined as the act of seeking information; to get or ask advice from; to confer with; and to advise professionally. Assessment includes appraisal and design around program planning and evaluation.

What is the difference between an appointment and a consultation?

As nouns the difference between appointment and consultation is that appointment is the act of appointing; designation of a person to hold an office or discharge a trust while consultation is the act of consulting.

What is the CPT code for initial consultation?

99253 Inpatient consultation for a new or established patient, which requires these 3 key components: A detailed history; A detailed examination; and Medical decision making of low complexity.

What can I expect at a therapy consultation?

The therapist will typically start off the call with a few questions to get to know you better, so they can make sure they're qualified to meet your needs. This includes questions about why you want to see a therapist, how you've been feeling over the past few weeks, and your goals for therapy.

What is a personal trainer consultation?

Before you start working out with a personal trainer, it is important to meet the trainer to discuss your needs. This is what we call a personal training consultation. It allows the trainer to assess your needs from a workout regime, so they will be able to design the right workouts for you.Jun 20, 2018

What is the purpose of a free consultation?

The purpose of a free consultation is not to obtain specific legal advice in the consultation, but rather to allow you to determine whether you would like to hire the attorney and to allow the attorney to determine whether he or she can help you achieve your legal goals.

Do attorneys give free consultations?

Many attorneys offer both free consultations and paid consultations, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. The key to understanding the difference, is that generally attorneys will not give legal advice without being first hired by the client.

What is retainer in a case?

A retainer is basically a down payment for the attorney’s work.

What is retainer in a trust account?

A retainer is basically a down payment for the attorney’s work. It is kept in a trust account and remains your money and refundable until the attorney earns it. This is a great time to ask the attorney any questions that you have, including questions about his or her experience with cases like yours.

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.

Can Melissa Graham Hurd and Associates prepare for an appointment?

The attorneys at Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC, can take time to prepare for your appointment if you complete any provided client information sheets and return them to the office well in advance of your appointment. Your time with one of the attorneys will be most productive if you fill the questionnaire out fully so we know what questions to ask you.

Can you remember what you discussed with an attorney?

It can be difficult to remember what you discussed with an attorney days or even weeks later when the situation arises again. We encourage all potential clients to take a few notes on important discussion topics during their consultation so they have something to jog their memory later. Additionally, there may be follow-up information or documents we need you to obtain before we can take the next step, and it is always helpful to have those type of instructions written down.

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.

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.

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.

What do I bring to my initial consultation?

Keep in mind that you are not going to have time during an initial consultation to touch on every single detail related to your potential claim (s). However, you should be comfortable going over the timeline of events that you believe are most related to your potential legal claim (s).

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

You must always be open and honest with the attorney. If you only provide the positive aspects of your claim, the negative facts will almost certainly come out down the road. For an attorney to be able to most effectively represent you, he/she must know all of the facts; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Choosing the Employment Attorney who is Right for You

Following the initial consultation, the attorney should let you know whether you have a potential legal claim to pursue, and, if so, whether the attorney is willing and able to represent you.