what to discuss at attorney consultation

Here are 5 Items to Discuss at a Divorce Attorney Consultation:

• (1) Your Financial Information.. The law firm may request that you bring specific financial information to the...
• (2) Issues Pertaining to Children. The divorce consultation can provide you with some general information on the legal...
• (3) Issues Pertaining to Alimony. If it applies to your situation, the...

Full Answer

What questions should I Ask my attorney during a legal consultation?

Dec 28, 2015 · Any such issues should be discussed during the consultation so that the attorney can structure the case in a way to help address those concerns. The financial aspect of representation Knowing the financial aspects of retaining counsel …

How do I find a good lawyer to consult?

Jul 22, 2019 · Attorney fee arrangements may be based on a contingency fee, a flat fee, or hourly fee basis. It is important to discuss an attorney’s fee arrangement during the consultation; and. Legal Claims and Facts: It may seem obvious, but a consultation will always include a discussion of the legal facts and your legal claims.

What documents should I bring to a legal consultation?

Dec 27, 2019 · Here are 5 Items to Discuss at a Divorce Attorney Consultation: (1) Your Financial Information.. The law firm may request that you bring specific financial information to the... (2) Issues Pertaining to Children. The divorce consultation can provide you with some general information on the legal... ...

What should be included in an initial consultation?

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. He or she will then ask you a series of targeted questions in order to determine: • The nature of your legal issue;

What do you talk about at a lawyer consultation?

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

How do I prepare for a lawyer consultation?

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 a consultation include?

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.

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 you start a conversation with 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

What are the 3 R's for consultation?

request, render and replyThe three “R's” of consultation codes: request, render and reply.

What are the steps in the consultation process?

Outline of StepsStep 1) Define Problem: This ensures that consultants and clients are on the same page and answering the same question.Step 2) Structure the Problem: ... Step 3) Prioritize Issues: ... Step 4) Analysis Plan and Work Plan: ... Step 5) Conduct Analysis: ... Step 6) Synthesize Findings: ... Step 7) Develop Recommendations.

What is the consultation process?

Consultation is a two-way process between you and your workers where you: - talk to each other about health and safety matters - listen to their concerns and raise your concerns - seek and share views and information, and - consider what your workers say before you make decisions.

What questions should a prospective client ask a lawyer?

The lawyer will also ask the client a number of critical questions about the case, including how the injuries occurred, the types of damages that resulted from the accident, ...

How to schedule a free initial consultation?

In many cases, all you have to do to schedule a free initial consultation is to contact an experienced attorney on the phone or by email to discuss your lawsuit. It is also possible to use a firm’s online contact form to arrange a free initial consultation.

What to do if you have been injured in an accident?

If you have been injured in an accident, it is a good idea to obtain the assistance of an experienced accident attorney who can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Before retaining a lawyer’s services, however, you will often meet for a free lawyer consultation. Consultations provide accident victims ...

How long does it take for a personal injury case to resolve?

It is a good idea to ask how long it will take for your case to resolve, though similar to predicting compensation awards, it can be tricky to determine how long a case will last. In almost all cases, though, it is not useful to expect that a case will be resolved in a few weeks. Most personal injury cases will take months or even years to resolve.

What should be included in an initial consultation?

An initial consultation should always include a discussion of the fees that an attorney may charge and the legal facts and circumstances of your case. You should discuss an attorney’s fee arrangement during the consultation, prior to retaining them, especially if cost is a large determining factor for you.

Why is it important to bring all documents to an attorney?

It is important that you bring every document you have for the attorney to review; this is because the attorney will be able to properly determine which documents are relevant, and which are not. The exact documentation that you should bring to your consultation will vary greatly, depending on the case.

What is an initial meeting with an attorney?

This is an initial meeting with an attorney that occurs before you decide whether to hire that attorney to represent you in your real estate dispute. The attorney will also use the initial legal consultation to determine if they can legally and competently represent you.

Why is it important to meet with a real estate attorney?

Meeting with an attorney will be especially important in terms of remedies and damages awards that may be available to you , as some states place award limits. A real estate attorney will be able to review the facts of your case, as well as any documents, to determine how best to move forward.

What is real estate law?

Real Estate law is what provides the legal guidelines and protections for those involved in the sale and purchase of real property. Real property refers to property that is affixed to the land, or a piece of land itself, as opposed to personal property, which is property that is typically easily movable.

What is the state law on real estate?

State real estate law regulates commercial and residential real property transactions, as well as landlord-tenant relationships. As such, the specifics of these laws vary from state to state. Federal law protections exist for discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”), and for environmental violations.

Why do we write contracts?

Thus, writing contracts is done in order to avoid problems and delays later on, as litigation could result if the parties to the transaction experience a dispute. Real Estate litigation commonly involves zoning, construction defects, homeowners associations, and/or boundary disputes.

What is a conflict check?

For example, if the law firm already represents the husband in a divorce case, then the firm cannot represent the wife. Legal ethics rules can be quite complex, and so attorneys are careful to check for and avoid any conflicts. At our firm, the conflicts check process starts with us checking to potential conflicts before the client even enters the attorney’s office, and continues during the initial parts of the consultation.

Why is custody case so important?

Some divorce or custody cases are time-sensitive, for a variety of reasons. For example, a divorce case may be urgent due to a person’s desire to remarry. Or, it can be critical that a custody case is filed quickly before a change in the child’s address results in a loss of jurisdiction to handle the case in the preferred state’s court system. Other times, impending military deployment or a scheduled medical procedure can make it such that proceeding at a particular time will make life easier for the client.

What is a 401(k) statement?

401 (k), IRA or other retirement account statements, including account balances and account numbers. Stock, bond or other investment account statements, including account balances and account numbers. Statements relating to any debts you may have such as mortgages, credit card accounts, student loans, and other debts.

Does attorney-client privilege extend to third parties?

However, this attorney-client privilege does not extend to third parties, including anyone you may bring with you to a consultation. A third party who is privy to confidential attorney-client communication may be asked under oath (in a deposition, for example) what the client and attorney discussed and will have to answer.

Can an attorney give advice to an unrepresented spouse?

The attorney who drafted the agreement for his or her client cannot give the other , unrepresented spouse any legal advice or answer any of their questions about the documents offered other than to recommend if they have such questions they should get their own attorney.

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 legalmatch database?

An attorney database, such as LegalMatch’s database, is helpful in assisting you in locating the right attorney for your particular legal issue. However, it is important to remember that a legal consultation alone will often not provide a full solution to your legal problem, as it is only the first step in resolving your legal issues.

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.

What is divorce consultation?

The divorce consultation can provide you with some general information on the legal issues pertaining to your minor children and children who have not yet been emancipated. The issues may include, but may not be limited to, legal custody, physical custody, child support, college expenses, special needs, health issues, emancipation, holiday parenting schedule, and vacation schedule.

What are the options for divorce?

The options could include traditional litigation as well as out-of-court options. The out-of-court options can include divorce mediation and collaborative divorce. These options can be less expensive than traditional litigation. However, they require you and your spouse to participate voluntarily and in good faith.

What is a marital budget?

This may include, but not be limited to, expenses pertaining to food, clothing, insurance, extracurricular activities, education, transportation, and other personal and shelter expenses.

What is a spouse's information?

Information pertaining to all assets owned by you and your spouse. This would include, but not be limited to, the marital home, other real estate, businesses, retirement accounts, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and their approximate values.

Can you get alimony at a divorce?

If it applies to your situation, the divorce consultation can provide you with some general information regarding the legal issues pertaining to alimony . The marital situation might suggest that you are entitled to a claim of alimony or that you may need to pay alimony . Information may include specific alimony factors to be considered or an explanation of how alimony is calculated in your jurisdiction.

Can a law firm ask for financial information?

The law firm may request that you bring specific financial information to the consultation. However, if you do not have access to the financial information, the lack of access should be brought to the law firm’s attention and discussed at the consultation.

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.

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.

What is retainer in a case?

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

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.

Why do clients need a list of questions?

A list of questions. A client should use the consultation as a time to get the most information they can and share the most they can before they initiate the legal process. Making a list of questions can help keep you organized during what can sometimes be a stressful meeting.

What is child custody case?

Often times child custody cases are linked to child support cases. If that is true for you, it helps to bring financial documents that show any expenses related to your child. This can be tuition bills for private school, day care or summer camp. 4. “Incriminating” Evidence.