Four Important Questions to Ask During Your Legal Consultation
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Apr 09, 2015 ¡ A lawyer who has the right background can often save you time and money, all the while getting the best result possible. And donât take a simple âYesâ for a sufficient answer. Ask follow-up questions, such as where and when any similar cases went to trial and their results, to ensure the attorney really knows the subject matter.
Apr 28, 2019 ¡ A prospective client should ask a number of important questions about the lawyerâs experience and ability to successfully handle his or her case. 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, and who was responsible for the accident.
Jul 12, 2016 ¡ Another important question to ask the lawyer during the consultation is what the lawyerâs preferred strategy requires of you. On that note, youâll want to ask how often the lawyer intends to provide updates over the course of the case as well as what kind of response or other communication is expected of you.
Nov 26, 2018 ¡ Four Important Questions to Ask During Your Legal Consultation 1. How Long Have You Been Practicing Law? Now, this may seem like a pretty obvious question, but you would be amazed at... 2. What Special Training Have You Received? In your legal consultation, you will want to gain as much information ...
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...â˘Jan 29, 2017
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...
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...â˘Aug 4, 2015
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.
A lot of thought and preparation go into creating an effective consultation that converts a prospect into a customer or client.Understand your goals. ... Start with a consultation form. ... Be aware of your body language. ... Approach the consultation as a conversation. ... Ask the right questions.More items...â˘Nov 19, 2020
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
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...â˘Mar 17, 2021
You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020
An incident of driving under the influence or domestic violence; accusations of any kind of criminal behavior, including white collar crime or tax fraud, should send you straight to your lawyer. If you don't have a lawyer, then your first call should be to someone you trust to help you find one.Jan 7, 2013
Generally, it is recommended that you dress in business casual attire when consulting with a lawyer. Wearing appropriate attire can mean the difference between being taken seriously and not. Your purpose for meeting with a lawyer can also influence the way you choose to present yourself.Sep 30, 2021
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.
During the New Client Consultation, Every Lawyer ShouldâŚBe Clear about Any Consultation Fees. ... Introduce the Firm and Working Attorneys' Experience as Is Relevant to the Case. ... Be Attentive. ... Showcase Knowledge and Know-How. ... Engage with Specifics. ... Discuss the Process.More items...â˘Aug 13, 2019
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.
Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decisionâwhether 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.
If the lawyerâs representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorneyâs 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 ...
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 lawyerâs ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.
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.
In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitrationâ using a private service to adjudicate a disputeâis a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.
In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a âcontingency fee.â. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.
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 firmâs online contact form to arrange a free initial consultation.
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 lawyerâs services, however, you will often meet for a free lawyer consultation. Consultations provide accident victims ...
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.
How do I prepare for a lawyer consultation? In addition to any documents related to your case, itâs important to show up with a list of questions to ask the lawyer during the consultation. Itâs 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 ...
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. Youâll have to balance the potential benefits with the cost and risk of different strategies, so itâs important to know about them early on.
Now, this may seem like a pretty obvious question, but you would be amazed at how many clients forget to ask. The question was one of the least asked but is one of the most important questions.
In your legal consultation, you will want to gain as much information on their background and expertise as possible. In addition to asking how many years they have practiced in a certain area, you should also ask if they have attended seminars, workshops, continuing education classes, or received a certificate upon graduating law school.
Know the fee the attorney charges up front. The last thing you want is to receive a bill at the end of the month and not only be shocked, but have little to no resources to pay. Ask if there are payment plans in place as well.
Going to trial is expensive, however, at times it is necessary to accomplish your goals. You will want to get a feel during your legal consultation as to how aggressive your attorney will be when it comes to going to trial or being able to settle the dispute outside of the courtroom.
For many women, the âgoalâ of hiring an attorney may simply be âget me outta this marriage!â 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.
Most states allow individuals to represent themselves in the divorce process. And, itâs more common than you think: 80 percent of divorces involve at least one party representing themselves. Lots of people go this route â which means you can, too.
If youâve made up your mind and thereâs no alternative but divorce, talking to at least a few lawyers is always a good idea. The first consultation is usually always free, so youâve 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.
An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will provide you with the tools to communicate better with your spouse. These tools include how to communicate with your spouse, when to communicate with your spouse and how to diffuse conflict.
If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.
Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.