what is free consultation with an attorney

by Malinda Roob 10 min read

A free consultation is essentially an appointment, either by telephone or in person, with an attorney and/or their legal team. This service is intended to grant you the opportunity to meet with the lawyer and get to know them – an important step in seeing whether you can work well together.

During a free consultation, the potential client provides the attorney with facts about his or her situation, and the attorney interprets those facts and helps the client understand the legal implications.Dec 18, 2018

Full Answer

Where can I get a free consultation with a lawyer?

They can visit free legal websites or can contact free legal hotlines located in their state. They can also reach out to local legal aid societies.

How to get a free consultation from a lawyer?

Tips for Preparing for Your Free Attorney Consultation

  • Write down your questions before the meeting (and take notes during the meeting). ...
  • Be honest. Even if you don’t hire the attorney, the information you share during your free consultation is protected under attorney-client privilege.
  • Bring documentation. The more information you can provide to the attorney, the better. ...

Is a free consultation with a lawyer really free?

Your first contact with a lawyer is likely an unpaid consult. It is, however, not “free” in the strictest sense of the word. The first consult is a lawyer’s investment in a client. It’s their way to create a relationship with a potential client by providing free lawyer advice. It’s no free lunch for the client.

What happens during the free consultation with a lawyer?

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.

image

What is the purpose of a consultation with a lawyer?

A legal consultation is a chance for prospective clients with legal needs to meet with (in-person, over the phone, or through video chat) and discuss their legal needs with the attorney. This is where you discuss the relevant information regarding the type of legal assistance you need representation for.

What is a free consultant?

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.

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Five Questions You Should Ask:Will you be the attorney personally handling my case?Will you take the case all the way to trial if necessary?What results have you obtained in the past for cases like mine?Can I call or email you directly with questions I have about my case?More items...

What does complimentary consultation mean?

At the most basic level, a complimentary consultation is an initial, free and confidential meeting between you (the potential client) and our office where we have the opportunity to generally evaluate the situation that caused you to seek legal advice and discuss potential next steps.

What's another way to say free consultation?

Instead of calling it a free consultation, try a free strategy session, or a free diagnostic, or a free assessment, or a personalized seminar or webinar, or a free coaching class.

How do I do a consultation?

Steps to the best client consultation experienceUnderstand your goals. ... Start with a consultation form. ... Be aware of your body language. ... Approach the consultation as a conversation. ... Ask the right questions. ... Frame the conversation as if the potential customer has signed on. ... Be prepared with all of your information. ... Be confident.

What you should know before you talk to 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...•

What is an attorney vs lawyer?

However, when practising law, lawyers can only provide legal assistance, advice, and counselling to their clients while an attorney can represent clients in court and initiate defendant prosecutions in addition to providing legal counsel and consultation.

What are two questions one should ask of their attorney?

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...

How do I sell a free consultation?

Here's How to Set Up Simple Free Consultation System:Create an intake form. You can use Google forms, Typeform, or Survey Monkey. ... Automate delivery of form submissions to your email inbox. Test this yourself a time or two. ... Set up a scheduling tool. ... Automate the delivery of your scheduling link. ... Write your pitch.

How do you market a free consultation?

5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Free Consultation OfferSet clear expectations. ... Emphasize the value of the consultation. ... Explain the long-term benefits of working with you. ... Nail your page design. ... Don't forget to use other lead magnets!

What's the difference between a freelancer and a consultant?

Freelancers often work as independent contractors or are self-employed professionals, whereas consultants can work as employees for private companies and even in the government and nonprofit sectors. Because of this distinction, you may have different employment requirements between the two career fields.

What does it mean to be paid as a consultant?

A consultant is a person who is paid to provide professional or expert advice in a particular field or specialty, such as advising a company on social media use or on increasing efficiency.

Is a consultant the same as a freelancer?

Essentially a consultant will come into a company to evaluate the business and provide feedback and ways to make improvements. Contractors and freelancers however hired to actually perform work or to complete a specific project, whereas locums are brought in to temporarily fill the position of someone else.

What does it mean to be hired as a consultant?

In a nutshell, consultants provide expert opinions, analysis, and recommendations to organizations or individuals, based on their own expertise. They're essentially fixers, serving as objective troubleshooters, and providing strategies to prevent problems and improve performance.

What is a free consultation?

A free consultation is essentially an appointment, either by telephone or in person, with an attorney and/or their legal team. This service is intended to grant you the opportunity to meet with the lawyer and get to know them – an important step in seeing whether you can work well together. The average free consultation is short (generally, ...

How long does a lawyer consultation take?

A consultation for a simple divorce, on the other hand, might only take about 15 minutes over the telephone.

How to get a lawyer referral?

However, an easier and more reliable option does exist: calling a lawyer referral service. These organizations specialize in cross-matching people to a vetted list of local lawyers with the right expertise and a proven track record of success. Once you identify someone suitable, you can ask them to arrange a consultation directly.

What makes a good lawyer?

A good lawyer can, and will, be direct and honest with you if they feel they lack the right background to help. They might even suggest referring you to a colleague who is better equipped to fight for your rights.

Do lawyers offer free consultations?

Some lawyers offer free consultations, but don’t necessarily declare it on their website and/or in advertising. Don’t be afraid to be direct and ask for a free consultation if you feel one is warranted. Most firms know how important this initial appointment is to ensure you’re both a good fit for one another.

Is it better to hire a lawyer or a lawyer?

It is far better to connect with a true legal expert – a lawyer – instead. The law is complex and rife with grey areas that aren’t always easy for the average layperson to understand. An attorney is best equipped to help you navigate your case. In most cases, hiring a lawyer starts with an initial consultation.

Can you ask for a consultation in California?

Once you identify someone suitable, you can ask them to arrange a consultation directly. All legal referral services are regulated and mandated by the California Bar. They must provide you with recommendations that are truly in your best interests at all times. You can trust them to find the right person for the job.

How is Lion Legal Services different?

Lawyers are not all the same. Some are more like therapists. Some are more emotionally in tune. Some aren’t. We aren’t. Our approach to practicing law is not for everyone. That’s why there are 31 flavors at Baskin Robbins – everyone likes and needs and wants something different.

We Can Help

If you are looking for effective legal representation in Arkansas that won’t break the bank, look for us at LionLegalServices.com. We will help you figure out your options and what the likely realistic result is in your circumstances. Say the word and we’ll come Roaring to the Rescue!

Call For A Free Case Evaluation

Case evaluations are completely free. Call Lion Legal Services today at (501) 227-ROAR (that’s 227-7627) or Email Us to set up a free consultation.

We Can Help

If you are looking for effective legal representation in Arkansas that won’t break the bank, look for us at LionLegalServices.com. We will help you figure out your options and what the likely realistic result is in your circumstances. Say the word and we’ll come Roaring to the Rescue!

Call For A Free Case Evaluation

Case evaluations are completely free. Call Lion Legal Services today at (501) 227-ROAR (that’s 227-7627) or Email Us to set up a free consultation.

Why is a free initial consultation important?

The free initial consultation allows you to familiarize yourself with the attorney and allows the attorney to explain what he can or cannot do for you before any money or services are exchanged.

What does Preston Law Firm do at the end of a free consultation?

At the end of the free initial consultation, the attorney will let you know whether or not he is able to handle the matter and will discuss the estimated fees/fee structure should you decide to retain the Preston Law Firm to handle your legal issue.

Can a lawyer give advice to a potential client?

Of course, there are limits regarding the free initial consultation: The lawyer cannot provide any legal advise to the potential-client as to do so would potentially create a client/attorney relationship. At the end of the free initial consultation, the attorney will let you know whether or not he is able to handle the matter and will discuss ...

Do you have to charge for legal opinion?

If you have a question that requires a legal opinion, the attorney will inform you that such a question would require a legal opinion for which we must charge. A fee will be discussed and agreed upon based on the hourly fees listed below, and the opinion may be rendered. Unfortunately, we must charge for any legal opinion provided due to our insurance.

What Happens During an Initial Consultation with an Attorney?

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. He or she will then ask you a series of targeted questions in order to determine:

What does an attorney do when you have an understanding of your case?

Once the attorney has an understanding of your case, he or she will typically let you know what your legal options are, your prospects of success in achieving your goals, and how much he or she expects this to cost.

Is a free consultation free?

Most other consultations at our firm are free of charge. 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.

Can an attorney give free legal advice?

The key to understanding the difference, is that generally attorneys will not give legal advice without being first hired by the client. Attorneys don’t give legal advice without first being retained ...

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.

image