how long does it take to hear back from a lawyer

by Ophelia Heathcote 5 min read

Full Answer

How long does it take for a lawyer to respond?

I emailed my lawyer specific questions and its been over 2 weeks. I don't live in the area, so email is the best way to communicate. I only contact her on the most specific of matters (Probate) not just to visit! Ask a lawyer - it's free! 2 weeks is a while. Most lawyers try to respond much more quickly.

How long do motions take to be heard in court?

In my local courts, most motions aren’t heard for a few months at best. At the hearing, a ruling may be made. Or the judge may decide the matter may require supplemental briefing. Or the court may take the matter under submission and review the papers and argument before deciding.

How long does it take to file a rebuttal in court?

And that can take days, weeks, or sometimes months. There is no fixed answer to this. First, the other side needs an opportunity to respond. Then typically the moving party has a right of rebuttal. The matter comes up for hearing. This is often determined by the court’s calendar.

How long does it take to get a ruling in court?

At the hearing, a ruling may be made. Or the judge may decide the matter may require supplemental briefing. Or the court may take the matter under submission and review the papers and argument before deciding. And that can take days, weeks, or sometimes months.

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How long should you wait to hear back from an attorney?

A: The lawyer should be responsive to your questions within 24-48 hours after you left a message. If the lawyer is not responsive, perhaps he or she is on vacation and unable to return.

Is it normal to not hear from your attorney?

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.

Why do attorneys take so long to respond?

Once a case gets filed in court, things can really slow down. Common reasons why a case will take longer than one would hope can include: Trouble getting the defendant or respondent served. The case cannot proceed until the defendant on the case has been formally served with the court papers.

How often should I hear from lawyer?

There is no set formula for how often you will hear from your attorney. However, the key to a successful attorney client relationship is communication. Whenever there is an important occurrence in your case you will be contacted or notified.

Is no news good news from your lawyer?

The bottom line is that this is generally one of those cases where “no news is good news” because it means your attorney is working on your case. The only time you should get concerned is if you need to speak to your attorney and you cannot get through nor have you received a return call.

Do lawyers take a long time to respond?

Your Lawyer Is Busy with Other Cases Even if your lawyer is working on another case, they should still get back to you within a day or two at the most. Your lawyer owes you responsive communication, even if you're not their only client. There's no excuse for an attorney who takes weeks to return calls or emails.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

Why do lawyers ignore you?

If your attorney is not experienced or efficient, they may have missed a deadline or made another mistake and aren't willing to confess their error. There could also be some bad news that is entirely outside of the attorney's control.

Why do lawyers not call back?

This is how the practice of law is supposed to work. So often when a lawyer does not return your call for a few days it may simply mean your lawyer is busy getting some important work done in your case or in another client's case. There is nothing going on with your case.

What do you do when a lawyer doesn't respond?

If your lawyer still does not respond, you can send him or her a letter explaining the communication problems. If at this point you do not hear anything from your lawyer, you should consult with a legal malpractice attorney.

How do you ask a lawyer for an update?

AnswerRaise the issue early on. Establish, in advance, a clear understanding about case updates. ... Be reasonable. A defendant who phones his or her attorney with a request for information can indicate a willingness to speak with the lawyer's associate, secretary, or paralegal.

How do you answer a lawyer question?

Listen carefully to the questions you are asked. If you don't understand the question, have it repeated, then give a thoughtful, considered answer. DO NOT GIVE AN ANSWER WITHOUT THINKING. While answers should not be rushed, neither should there be any unnaturally long delay to a simple question if you know the answer.

Dayna Lindsay Kipnis

Give her a call and if that fails, send a written request that she contact you to discuss the case. There may be a reason for the lull in the case. You really won't know until you ask. If you get no response in two weeks, consider looking for another attorney. Good luck...

Michael Jon Gravlin

Call her, I"m sure you have the number. Cases take time. People have to complete treatment before any demands can be made. So call and find out. Us attorneys like to talk, remember that.

Frank Justin Shaughnessy

Well, the lawyer should give you updates on the case. It is best to try and communicate in writing. Email typically is most effective, or text. Write your lawyer and ask for the status of the case. Good luck

How long does it take for a court to decide a typ?

Or the court may take the matter under submission and review the papers and argument before deciding. And that can take days, weeks, or sometimes months. A lot of this will be affected by the typ.

How long does it take for a judge to hear a motion?

In the states and federal courts I am familiar with, the lawyer files a motion and sets it for hearing about six weeks later, more or less, depending on the court’s docket.

How long is the response time for a court case?

Usually the lower end of the response time is 7-days, and the upper end of the response time is 30-days. The other side can also request an extension of time, pushing the response date out even further. Until the response time has run, the judge shouldn’t make a ruling.

How long does it take to get to the jury in a lemon case?

It can take over a year for even a simple lemon law case to actually get to the jury trial point. (Let alone more complex litigation.) Generally speaking (there are a few exceptions), the other side gets an opportunity to respond to any motion.

Can a judge rule on a motion?

And occasionally, judges never rule on a motion. (If a judge doesn’t rule, the motion is considered denied.) There is little your attorney can do if the judge is sitting on a motion.

Is it "it depends" or "it depends"?

Usually the lower end. The other answers which say “it depends” are correct. Lawsuits, especially on the civil side (on the criminal side, there’s constitutional protections which come in to play re: speedy trials), often move at the rate of a three-toed sloth.

What is competency in law?

In addition to lawyer communication problems, you may also have problems with the competency of your lawyer's work. Competency relates to the core knowledge and expertise of an attorney in handling a client's legal issue. You should remember that lawyers are not machines and they are just as capable of making a mistake as anyone else ...

What is lawyer communication?

Lawyer communication refers to the correspondence and communication between a client and his/her attorney. If you have a lawyer communication problem, you may be wondering if you have a bad attorney or if he or she is doing a poor job on your case. You should know that many states have laws regarding when and how a lawyer must communicate with clients.

How to communicate with a lawyer?

Lawyer communication, competency, ethics, and fees are important aspects of an attorney-client relationship. As a summary you can expect your lawyer to do the following: 1 Give you advice about your legal situation 2 Keep you informed about your case 3 Tell you what he or she thinks will happen in your case 4 Allow you to make the important decisions regarding your case 5 Give you an estimate about what your case should cost 6 Assist you in any cost-benefit analyses that you may need 7 Keep in communication with you 8 Inform you of any changes, delays or setbacks 9 Give you the information you need to make good decisions, and 10 Prepare you for your case, including deposition and trial preparation.

What happens if my attorney doesn't respond to my question?

If your attorney does not respond within a business day, he or she should provide you with a reason why they were unable to answer your question (typically, if your lawyer is working on multiple cases, he or she may be tied down in court on some days).

What are the Disagreements over whether an itemized bill would be given?

Disagreements over whether an itemized bill would be given. Concerns that a lawyer spent too long on a task that should have been relatively easy. Argument that because an attorney did a bad job, the bill should be reduced. Billing at an attorney's rate for work done by a paralegal or legal secretary.

What is billing at an attorney's rate?

Billing at an attorney's rate for work done by a paralegal or legal secretary. Complaints regarding over-charging for time spent on a case. The first thing that you should do upon finding and hiring the right lawyer for your case is to make sure that you get the fee agreement in writing that you can understand.

What are the most common problems lawyers have with their clients?

Fees. Disputes regarding attorneys' fees are perhaps the most common problem that clients have with their lawyers. Fee disputes typically arise for many reasons, but the following are the most common: Complaints about bills being too high. Disagreements over what kinds of fees would be charged to the client.

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