consultation what should i ask my lawyer?

Questions that you should ask during a legal consultation may include questions regarding the attorneys background and qualifications, the attorneys fee arrangement, and specific questions about your case. For instance, in a divorce case, you may want to ask the attorney what their legal strategy is for obtaining child custody or alimony.

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

Dec 08, 2015 · Lawyers cannot always predict every twist and turn, but an experienced lawyer should be able to give you an idea of the steps that will be taken to protect your interests during your consultation. Teresa E. Harvey. Should you have questions regarding a legal matter and would like to set up a free consultation, please contact me by going to our ...

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer?

Apr 09, 2015 · Here are some basic questions you should ask potential counsel before choosing legal representation. Experience Ask about the lawyer's practice and familiarity with cases like yours. One: Have you handled this type of case? This …

What to expect in a lawyer consultation?

Apr 05, 2016 · After the initial discussion about your case, your lawyer should have an idea of how to proceed. They will be able to outline a list of steps to take and the purpose behind them. It won’t be possible to get the nitty-gritty details in order through only one meeting, but knowing that your family lawyer has a plan of action will provide ...

How to prepare for an initial consultation with a lawyer?

Jan 14, 2021 · What questions is the lawyer asking you about your situation? This question is your chance to 1) make sure they’ve been hearing you and 2) get insights that could help keep your divorce process moving along without surprises. 5. Talk about payment. This question is especially important if you’re concerned about your financial situation.

What do you talk about at a lawyer consultation?

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.

How do I prepare for a 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 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...•Feb 6, 2020

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 should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

How do I 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.

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

Every lawyer should review with their clients the possibility of a negotiated resolution prior to trial. In criminal matters, for example, you may be able to get a good plea bargain. In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation, a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

How to discuss case strategy?

In discussing case strategy, your lawyer should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to get to a resolution. Keep in mind that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be over.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

How to prepare for a lawyer consultation?

How do I prepare for a lawyer consultation? In addition to any documents related to your case, it’s important to show up with a list of questions to ask the lawyer during the consultation. It’s also a good idea to consider the answers you expect, or hope, to receive beforehand. With that in mind, here are some good questions to ask a lawyer ...

What is a good follow up question for a lawyer?

Other good follow-up questions include how many of the lawyer’s cases typically get settled out of court and how much experience the attorney has going to trial.

What to ask a lawyer about monetary damages?

If you’re suing for monetary damages, you should ask your lawyer if they can represent you on a contingency basis, which means they get paid only if they win the case on your behalf. If a lawyer does provide the option to work on a contingency basis, ask what percentage of the money they’ll receive at the end of the case.

What do you need to review when filing a claim?

This means you will both need to review as much information as possible about the other. At the very least, the lawyer will ask you for details about the incident at the center of your claim, and review documents related to the incident or aftermath, such as police reports, insurance correspondence, medical appointments, etc.

Should a lawyer be vetting you?

This is an important way for the lawyer to be able to determine whether they have the knowledge, experience, and resources to handle your case. However, the lawyer should not be the only one asking questions. Just as the lawyer is vetting you, you should be vetting the lawyer.

Can a lawyer give you a strategy?

If the lawyer is willing to discuss it, ask not only about what strategies the lawyer is considering, but also about the amount of time they believe each strategy will take. You’ll have to balance the potential benefits with the cost and risk of different strategies, so it’s important to know about them early on.

Why do you ask an employment lawyer to represent you?

Employment lawyers handle cases on: When consulting with an employment lawyer, you might not have a lot of time. That’s why it’s important to know the most important questions to ask an employment lawyer before hiring them.

How long can an employment dispute last?

Employment disputes can go on for months, even years after you’ve stopped working for a company. This can all depend on your allegations and the extent of harm done. Longer cases will often go to trial, which costs you more money. Your employment lawyer should be open about the estimated time of your case.

Can a case settle out of court?

Ask about other alternatives to a trial and what that will look like. Unfortunately, not all cases can settle out of court.

Is it good to get a lawyer's opinion?

While the answer to this will certainly depend on many different variables specific to your situation, it’s good to get your lawyer’s professional opinion . After hearing of the details, your lawyer will have an idea of if you are likely to find a quick resolution, or if there may be complications that will extend the duration of the case.

Do lawyers have a third party perspective?

While it may take some time for your lawyer to become intimately familiar with your situation, they have the advantage of having a third-party perspective. While your emotional ties to the case may easily cloud your judgment, a lawyer will be able to see the entirety of the situation and make recommendations accordingly.

What is the goal of hiring an attorney?

For many women, the ‘goal’ of hiring an attorney may simply be “get me outta this marriage!” But honing in on what you want your life to look like after the divorce dust has settled can be a useful tool for identifying how you want to work through the process of ending your marriage.

How to get money from a prenup consultation?

If you want to get your money’s worth from a consultation, make sure you bring all of the documents associated with your prenup. The same goes if you and your spouse have started working out a separation agreement (or other agreement related to your pending split) in writing.

Is it a good idea to talk to a lawyer about divorce?

If you’ve made up your mind and there’s no alternative but divorce, talking to at least a few lawyers is always a good idea. The first consultation is usually always free, so you’ve got nothing to lose. But, you can gain a lot of information during attorney interviews if you head into the conversation armed with the right questions.

Can you represent yourself in divorce?

Most states allow individuals to represent themselves in the divorce process. And, it’s more common than you think: 80 percent of divorces involve at least one party representing themselves. Lots of people go this route – which means you can, too.