how long is a lawyer consultation

How long will my initial consultation with an attorney last?

May 17, 2016 · How long is the meeting? An initial legal consultation is simply a short meeting between a lawyer and a potential client. This short meeting should be 20 minutes or less. Phone, Email or In Person legal consultation? A legal consultation can be done over the phone, via email or in person at the attorney's office. You and the attorney decide what type of legal …

What is a legal consultation and do I need one?

We try to refer you to someone who has time to hear your matter and represent you. The initial consultation will only take ten to thirty minutes of your time, and we try to get back to potential clients within twenty-four to forty-eight hours with whether our firm can represent them. Plus, it will not cost you a dime, it is free!

What questions should I Ask my attorney during a consultation?

Jun 27, 2019 · The first consultation is always an educational, introductory session with the client. It’s there for the lawyer to understand in-depth what’s the issue at hand. If they get the facts straight, they can help you better with proper advice. Many people have the wrong idea that free consults mean they’re either shallow or limited to an hour or two.

How long does it take for a lawyer to answer questions?

Jun 01, 2020 · 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 is the purpose of a consultation with a lawyer?

The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.Nov 16, 2020

What should I wear to a lawyer consultation?

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.Sep 4, 2019

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.

What is women's business casual?

In general, business casual for women includes a skirt or slacks, a blouse, a blazer and an appropriate heel or flat for the office. Business casual do's for women include: Skirts or slacks. Staple pieces include a few pairs of dress slacks and an assortment of knee-length pencil skirts.Dec 10, 2018

How much does a lawyer consultation cost?

If you have never hired a lawyer, you might wonder about free attorney consultation. There are many law practices that provide such an incentive to their clients. The cost of a lawyer consultation can be prohibitive. It can set you back between $100 to $400, depending on where you are.

What is the first consult?

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. If you agree to continue, that first consult provides them a consistent source of income.

Why is free legal advice important?

Your free lawyer advice affords you the flexibility to learn your proper legal course of action. It is in place to give you proper clarity to make an informed decision. Both parties will expect honesty from each other.

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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 the first consultation?

The initial consultation is a great opportunity to get a “feel” for the attorney and determine whether he or she is a good fit for you. Asking questions can help you gauge the attorney’s competence and whether you will get along well.

What is the purpose of a divorce consultation?

The main purpose of the consultation is to discuss your case. Essentially, you are having a conversation with the lawyer about your pending divorce, and you should be the one doing most of the talking.

What information do divorce attorneys need?

Along with the details of your case, the divorce attorney will also gather some basic personal information, including your: address, phone number and email address. The attorney will also want to gather background information, which may include:

What are the issues that a divorce attorney will discuss?

After gathering information about your case, the attorney will discuss any potential issues that you may face during the divorce, such as custody and parenting time. Financial aspects will also be discussed, including child support, alimony, equitable distribution, college tuition, real estate, debts and other assets.

How to get divorce information?

Along with the details of your case, the divorce attorney will also gather some basic personal information, including your: address, phone number and email address. The attorney will also want to gather background information, which may include: 1 The date of the marriage 2 Employment information of both spouses 3 Names and ages of the children 4 Income information, including assets and debts 5 Whether or not there was a prenuptial agreement in place

What is the number to call an attorney?

When you call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763) , you’ll be connected with an attorney in your area who’s familiar with the laws in your state, who’s willing to listen to your concerns, and who can explain the options available to you moving forward. Calls are answered 24 hours a day! 24/7 FREE LEGAL ADVICE: 1-800-ATTORNEY.

What is the number to call for legal advice?

Calls are answered 24 hours a day! 24/7 FREE LEGAL ADVICE: 1-800-ATTORNEY. Call 1-800-ATTORNEY. There are many free legal advice services available online as well, but we strongly advise you to take all online advice with a grain of salt.

What is the best phone number to call for a free consultation?

When you call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763), you’ll be connected with an attorney in your area who’s familiar with ...

How to get legal advice for free?

There are many free legal advice services available online as well, but we strongly advise you to take all online advice with a grain of salt. The law varies from state to state, and those giving legal advice will often have differing opinions, and may not even be licensed to practice law. That being said, here are a few of the most-popular sites: 1 AVVO.com’s “Ask a Lawyer” service. Post a question and get free advice from multiple lawyers. Questions are often answered within 12 hours. 2 FreeAdvice.com’s “Ask a Lawyer” service. Another free service which allows users to publicly pose questions for attorneys to answer. 3 FindLaw’s Legal Answers Forum. An active message board which allows users to pose various legal questions on various legal issues. 4 Reddit.com’s Legal Advice Subreddit. This community-driven subreddit is extremely active, and users are quick to give their input on various legal issues. 5 LawGuru’s “Ask a Legal Question”. Get free answers to your public (or private) legal questions from multiple attorneys. 6 American Bar Association. The ABA website will guide you to a list of resources in your state.