what to expect at consultation with attorney

What to Expect in your Initial Consultation with an Attorney

• Preparation During the days leading up to the consultation, prepare a file for all of your documents, such as a Complaint if you have been served, email correspondence, pictures, and place them in an orderly fashion. ...
• Consultation During the consultation, it is important to ask as many questions as possible, as this might be a new experience for you. ...
• Reflection ...

Full Answer

What happens at an initial consultation 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.

How do I find a good lawyer to consult?

Finding the Right Attorney Before you can have an attorney consultation, you need to find a lawyer who might be a good fit. Look for an attorney who focuses his or her practice on your type of legal question, or someone who lists this as a type of law they regularly practice. Your local bar association may have a referral program.

What should I look for when hiring a lawyer?

Most attorneys have paralegals or legal assistants who handle much of the paperwork and scheduling, so you will want to know who the contact person will be for your case. You should also find out how often you can expect to hear from the lawyer. If you have legal questions, how soon will you hear back if you call or email?

What is the purpose of a free consultation with an attorney?

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 Happens During an Initial Consultation with an Attorney?

What do lawyers talk about during 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...•

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.

How do you get the most out of a consultation with a lawyer?

Tips to Get the Most Out of an Attorney ConsultationGo with a Goal. When you book an appointment you should have an idea of what you want to accomplish. ... Be Prepared. ... The Devil is in the Details. ... Conduct a Background Check. ... Consultation Fee Avoidance. ... Just the Facts. ... Ask Questions. ... Have Patience.

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 should I wear to my first meeting 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.

What is initial consultation?

An Initial consultation is a 90 minute consultation for a new client who would like to meet with a psychologist to discuss current issues and/or concerns and talk about strategies and goals for therapy and/or a treatment plan.

What does a consultation include?

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. The act or process of consulting. A meeting between physicians to discuss the diagnosis or treatment of a case.

What questions should I ask my lawyer about my case?

Questions you might ask your lawyerDo I have a problem that can be resolved by law?What legal risks am I facing?What documents do I need to support my case?Do I need statements from witnesses?What are my options for resolving the dispute out of court?How can I settle the case?More items...

What is a consultant in law?

A legal consultant is a professional who provides legal guidance to businesses and individuals. This job title is interchangeable with the title of a legal advisor. While those in this role have many of the same responsibilities as lawyers, they solely provide legal advice outside of the courtroom.

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 some questions an attorney might ask a new client?

What Questions do Lawyers Ask Their Clients?What is your case about? A lawyer will want to know every single detail of your case. ... What do you hope to accomplish? ... How do you want us to communicate? ... Why did you choose me? ... Are you comfortable with my rates?

How do you answer a lawyer question?

Give positive, definite answers when at all possible. Avoid saying, “I think”, “I believe”, or “In my opinion” if you can answer positively. If you do know, then say so. You can be positive about important things which you would naturally remember.

What questions should I ask my lawyer about my case?

Questions you might ask your lawyerDo I have a problem that can be resolved by law?What legal risks am I facing?What documents do I need to support my case?Do I need statements from witnesses?What are my options for resolving the dispute out of court?How can I settle the case?More items...

How do lawyers solve cases?

As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters.

How do lawyers help others?

Lawyers are advocates and advisors for our society. They work to represent individuals and corporations in civil trials, and to promote justice in criminal trials. Attorneys work as advisors to their clients, informing them of their rights, the processes of law and help them navigate the sometimes-tricky legal system.

What does a lawyer do in court?

Their primary job is to argue the facts of a case before a judge or jury on their client's behalf. In court, trial lawyers may argue motions, meet with judges, or select jurors. Outside of court, trial lawyers may review files, interview witnesses, or take depositions.

Expect the Meeting to be Fairly Short

Your case is important and it’s important to your lawyer, too. Most initial consultations last about one hour. While that may not seem like enough time, an experienced lawyer knows what questions to ask to make that hour efficient and productive.

Expect Questions – Lots of Questions

In your consultation meeting, your attorney will ask you a number of questions; basic “who-, what-, when-type” questions. Specifically, in a personal injury case, a lawyer will also want to know the details of the accident. Other pertinent information needed includes some specifics about your insurance policy, injuries, and financial losses.

Expect to Be Asked for Documents and Other Proof

Not only will you be asked many questions, but your attorney will likely request any proof you have or can get access to (see list of examples below). Before calling for an attorney consultation, or visiting the office, make sure you have these items at the ready.

Expect an Evaluation and Explanation

Toward the end of your first meeting with a personal injury attorney, the lawyer should be able to tell you the pros and cons of your case. (Note: lawyers cannot, nor should, promise certain outcomes; they can only tell you what they expect, based on past experiences.) The lawyer may offer to take your case on the spot.

Expect to Talk About Money

You can expect the attorney to talk about money, including fees. The attorney should explain – in clear language – how the billing process works. The attorney should explain their hourly rate, charges for items such as investigations, ordering records, or even making copies.

Be Prepared to Sign Documents

If you decide to engage your attorney after consultation, be prepared to sign documents. Signing a retainer or representation agreement will make the attorney your “official” legal representative in your case. Your lawyer may also ask you to sign releases allowing them to access insurance information, medical records, and other items.

How to get an attorney consultation?

Before you can have an attorney consultation, you need to find a lawyer who might be a good fit. Look for an attorney who focuses his or her practice on your type of legal question, or someone who lists this as a type of law they regularly practice. Your local bar association may have a referral program. If you have used an attorney in the past for something else, ask him or her for a referral. It is also helpful to ask family and friends for names.

What to ask a lawyer before a consultation?

When you have your lawyer consultation, one of your primary questions will be about the attorney’s background. Some people feel intimidated asking about this, but the truth is you are going to pay a lot of money for services. You wouldn’t hire an electrician who had never done wiring, so it is wise to ask questions about the attorney’s experience. You can find out basics on the firm’s web site before the appointment, which will save you time. You may want to ask how many of this type of case the attorney has handled. For example, how many divorces has this lawyer done in the past year? A lawyer who has done one or two is not very experienced. You may wish to ask how long the attorney has been practicing law and how long he or she has practiced in your county or area, which will give you an idea how familiar the lawyer is with local judges and procedures. 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.

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.

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 ...

How long does it take to write a will?

Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your loved ones, and it can be done in just minutes. Are you ready to get started?

Estate Planning Cases

If you have an estate planning case, you should be prepared to discuss your specific objectives and goals with the attorney; be prepared to talk about where you want your assets to go upon your death: will you make specific gifts to individuals? Will you make bequests to charities? Do any of your beneficiaries have special needs that need to be considered?.

Probate Cases

If you have a probate case, you should be prepared to discuss the Decedent’s (a/k/a the deceased) family, assets, and his/her will or trust. The original Will, if available, is very helpful and will need to be reviewed by the attorney, so if you have the original, please bring it to the consultation.

What is the initial consultation with a lawyer?

Called the initial consultation with lawyer, this meeting is an opportunity for you and the attorney to evaluate one another.

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.

What are the options open to you in pursuing your case?

This is also an opportunity to learn more about the options open to you in pursuing your case, such as mediation, out of court settlements, or other options. It will be up to you to decide how to move forward, once the attorney has expressed an interest in handling your case.

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 happens if your case costs less than the retainer amount?

But, if your case costs less than the retainer amount, your unused money will be returned to you.

Can you concentrate on the wealth of information our attorneys offer during an initial consultation?

Just trust us on this one: you will not be able to concentrate on the wealth of information our attorneys offer during an initial consultation if you are thinking of your next question!

Do you have to hire an attorney for Melissa Graham Hurd?

Meeting with an attorney in an initial consultation at Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC, does not mean you are required to hire us to represent you. Indeed, hiring an attorney may not be appropriate for your situation—not everyone with thousands of dollars in debt needs a bankruptcy, and people frequently come in for an initial consultation with questions about divorce who have no intention of filling for one!

Do you confer with your trusted loved ones before going into an initial consultation?

We recommend that you confer with your trusted loved ones before going in to the initial consultation so that you are able to get answers to their questions without destroying the confidential nature of your meeting . If you insist on having other people come into the meeting with you, we may have you sign a document stating that you understand you are voluntarily waiving your rights to confidentiality and the attorney-client privilege to memorialize your decision before we meet with everyone present.

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.

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.

Bankruptcy Can Be a Difficult Time for You

Fortunately, bankruptcy lawyers understand what a difficult and emotional time this can be for clients. They know that many bankruptcies are often caused by circumstances beyond your control, like a job loss or downsizing, major medical issues, divorce, or other sudden changes in your financial picture.

What to Expect at a Consultation with a Bankruptcy Attorney

At the Law Office of David A. Bhaerman, we typically set aside 60-90 minutes for the initial consultation with a potential client. We ask you general questions about your debt, your income, and any assets you may have to help build a financial picture of your situation.

How to Prepare for the Initial Bankruptcy Consultation

During the initial consultation, it’s important that you provide as much accurate information as possible, so that we may properly assess your situation.

The Best Way to Contact a Bankruptcy Attorney

An initial consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer doesn’t mean you’ll automatically file bankruptcy. It’s important to communicate your situation with us, with as much detail and completeness as possible so we may help you make the right decision on whether or not to file bankruptcy. The Law Office of David A.

Bankruptcy Attorney Near You

Of course, there are many more reasons to hire a qualified, experienced bankruptcy attorney to help you navigate the murky financial waters of a personal bankruptcy case. These ten reasons are pretty compelling, especially if you’ve never handled anything like this yourself.