what to ask lawyer on the 1st visit

One of the questions to ask a divorce attorney on the first visit is about how you will communicate throughout your case. Being able to communicate regularly with your attorney is essential to a successful case. An attorney should let you know how long you may wait for a response, which can spare you from feeling frustrated later on.

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What should I expect at the first visit with my attorney?

Instead, the attorney at the first visit should be able to explain to you what you can do in your specific case to keep the costs down. Otherwise, either the attorney does not know or the attorney is not paying attention to the facts you provided him or her at the first visit.

What should I bring to my first consultation with a lawyer?

Make a set of copies of everything that you plan to share with the lawyer. Give the lawyer the copies at the beginning of the initial consultation. Prudent attorneys do not accept original documents, and you do not want to waste precious time or money waiting while the attorney makes copies.

What should I ask my lawyer before meeting?

Also, send along copies of any available documents that the lawyer may have requested in the questionnaire. Before you get too far into a meeting or conversation, the lawyer will want to know about any possible conflicts of interest that might prevent him or her from ethically representing you.

What questions should I ask when hiring a family law attorney?

If that transmittal is outdated or not secure, you should ask yourself about that attorney or law office's sophistication and technology and security. 1. How will you keep my file secure? The family law firm you intend to hire should have a system in place to keep their clients' files secure.

How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

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 are good questions to ask lawyers?

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...•

What should you expect when meeting the lawyer for the first time?

To prepare for this first meeting, you should do your homework and collect all the relevant documents you think you many need to present your case such as medical records, witness statements, police reports or receipts. Next, you should write down a summary of any memory you had from the incident.

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?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...•

What do you say to a lawyer?

0:251:20What To Say When You Call An Attorney - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific.MoreKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific. Situation. And when you keep it simple in the beginning it really does make it easier.

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.

Can u wear sandals to court?

Footwear Not to Ever Wear in Court: Flip-flop sandals. Athletic shoes. High-heel spikes.

What are some things attorneys and clients might talk about when they first meet?

Explain how the firm operates, what type of cases are generally handled, and how the firm will likely handle this particular case. Additionally, attorneys meeting with new clients should briefly explain their experience, education, and any noteworthy cases that could apply to the case at hand.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What questions should I ask my lawyer mentor?

Questions to Ask Your Mentor How is what I am learning in school different from what it will be like practicing? How did you become a [insert practice area] attorney? What is a typical work day like for you? What types of cases/projects are you currently working on?

What is a good question to ask a judge?

Good questions to ask the judge include the following: “How do you like being a judge?” “How did you decide to become a judge?” “What was the most important thing that helped you become a judge?”

What is the point of consultation?

Consultations with a lawyer are an important stage of the process: you’re meeting up with an attorney for the first time on a case that could have a significant impact on you and your loved ones. You’ll want to make sure you’re dealing with a true professional. If not, you move on. That’s the point of the consultation.

Can you arrange things out of court without an attorney?

In the legal industry, there a variety of processes moving forward. Sometimes an arbitrator would be suitable. You can arrange things out of court without the need for an attorney, too. And the reason for asking is that you might have considerably less cost to worry about. 9.

How to contact Cesar Ornelas?

If you are in need of a skilled, reputable lawyer who will be that type of representative for you regarding an injury case, take the time to call Cesar Ornelas Law at 210-405-6503 or visit his website at cesarornelaslaw.com to click on “ contact ” on the top menu to see how he can help! His office is available 24/7.

What happens if the plaintiff complains?

If either the plaintiff (one complaining) or the defendant (one defending his actions) (the winner or loser) in a civil trial disagrees with the final decision of a judge or jury, the party can “appeal” his or her case to a higher or appellate court.

Do lawyers take questions for granted?

The answers to questions you get will vary widely with each lawyer, but don’t take anything for granted. It is important to be fully satisfied with your choice of the person who will be working with you in a difficult time of your life.

Do law offices charge a fee for consultations?

First of all, most law offices charge a low fee for the first consultation or offer it for free. As far as the overall cost, that is usually determined by a case-by-case evaluation. ( Cesar Ornelas Law Firm only charges you if they win your case and a settlement has been determined.)

1. How Will We Communicate Throughout the Case?

One of the questions to ask a divorce attorney on the first visit is about how you will communicate throughout your case. Being able to communicate regularly with your attorney is essential to a successful case. An attorney should let you know how long you may wait for a response, which can spare you from feeling frustrated later on.

2. How Much Experience Do You Have and Will There Be a Team Behind My Case?

Another question to ask a divorce lawyer at the first meeting is about how much experience they have. Does this attorney specialize in divorce cases? You deserve a lawyer who understands the legal process for divorce in your state and has experience successfully handling these cases.

3. What Is the Fee Structure?

Before you decide to work with an attorney, you should understand their fee structure so you can determine whether you can afford to hire them. Costs may include a retainer fee and an hourly rate, along with other possible fees.

4. How Long Do Cases Typically Take?

While no attorney can make guarantees about how long a case will take, an attorney experienced in divorce cases will have an idea of how long cases similar to yours took. Several factors influence how long a divorce can take, such as:

5. What Communication Should I Have With My Spouse?

An attorney can advise you on what type of communication you should have with your spouse about the divorce. While you will need to discuss the divorce with your spouse, you do not need to discuss with your spouse what your attorney told you or what you said to your attorney.

6. Are There Any Reviews or Testimonials to Help My Decision?

Testimonials and reviews from former clients can help you determine whether you want to work with an attorney. You may be able to find these on the attorney’s website or on other websites where consumers share reviews.

7. What Things Can My Spouse Do to Increase the Cost and How Can I Proactively Prevent This?

Depending on your spouse’s personality type, they may try to increase the cost of the divorce and make the process more difficult for you. A divorce attorney has experience with various personality types and can advise you on common patterns of behavior. A high-conflict divorce can cost significantly more than an amicable divorce.

Why is it important to ask an attorney about a complaint?

One of the biggest complaints lawyers get is that their clients feel that they often don’t know what is happening with their case. That is why it is important that you find an attorney you will feel comfortable communicating with. Here are some of the most important questions to ask your attorney when you meet for the first time: 1.

What to do if you have a negative feeling about your spouse?

Even if you have negative feelings about your spouse, it is better to try to deal with those issues on your own instead of fighting them out. Your attorney will work to help you get a fair settlement and protect your interests while you work on moving forward with your life after your divorce.

Can an attorney see you when you are not at your best?

Your attorney may end up seeing you when you’re not at your best, which is alright if you have a good attorney-client relationship. Experienced family law attorneys understand how difficult divorce is and will help you see past your immediate problems so you can envision yourself moving on and starting over again.

Can you have a trial after a judge orders a reconsideration?

Hopefully, you can work out an agreement and avoid court intervention. If not, you may have to have a trial to protect your interests. After the judge enters their final orders, it may be appropriate to file some motions to reconsider or an appeal in your case but that will be discussed with your attorney at that time.

Should an attorney be working to resolve a case?

While the attorney should be working to resolve the issues as amicably as possible, sometimes court intervention is needed. Both you and the attorney should always keep in mind that the case could end up in trial. While attempting to reach a resolution, work towards being able to protect your interests in court. 5.

Is it better to settle or take things to trial?

Settlement is typically better than taking things to trial, unless one spouse is being unreasonable. If you are divorcing a narcissist, there may not be anything you can do to make your former partner see reason, but there are persuasive reasons to work together during a divorce. 6.

Do lawyers have to be transparent?

Lawyers are ethically required to be transparent about how much their hourly rate is and their fee structure. Your fee agreement should explain everything you need to know about billing but most importantly you should discuss ways you can save on fees.

What to know before meeting with a lawyer?

Before you get too far into a meeting or conversation, the lawyer will want to know about any possible conflicts of interest that might prevent him or her from ethically representing you.

What do lawyers want to see?

In addition to learning about you and hearing your narrative, your lawyer will also want to see documents and evidence, both for informational purposes and to help assess the strength of your case. Obviously, the nature of the evidence will vary dramatically from one type of case to another. As you prepare to meet with your lawyer, try ...

Why is it important to prepare for a first consultation?

In short, preparation for your first consultation meeting is critical. Strong preparation will save time and money. It will also ensure that all of your questions are answered, and that your attorney has all the information needed in order to effectively represent you.

What are the goals of a lawyer?

Typical goals might include: review and provide comments on a contract or legal document. draft a will.

What to include in a dispute narrative?

Some important details to include in that narrative include: names of the key players in your dispute. date the dispute or problem began. type of the dispute (harassment, contract, divorce) key events of your dispute, including a "who, what, where, when and why" narrative, and. current status of your dispute.

How to respond to a legal complaint?

respond to a legal complaint, lawsuit, or threatening letter. research whether you have a meritorious legal claim against another person or entity. draft a legal complaint or demand letter to another person or entity, or. negotiate a lease, contract, or other agreement.

What documents are used to dispute a contract?

contracts (such as employment agreements , leases, promissory notes, and the like) financial documents (for example, if you'll be drafting a will or starting a company) correspondence (letters, emails, or text messages between you and the other party or otherwise relevant to your dispute)

What is the first meeting between a lawyer and a prospective client?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship. At this point, you are both checking each other out, and getting information and advice that can help you with your case regardless of whether you hire that lawyer or any other one.

What to do if you have no court papers?

Even if you have no court papers yet, you may have on hand or could readily obtain documents that could be helpful.

How to share documents with a lawyer?

Make a set of copies of everything that you plan to share with the lawyer. Give the lawyer the copies at the beginning of the initial consultation. Prudent attorneys do not accept original documents, and you do not want to waste precious time or money waiting while the attorney makes copies. So fax the documents to the law office before the meeting.

Why do attorneys keep their information confidential?

Remember, the attorney will keep this information confidential, unless required to share it with a court because it is relevant to the legal matter or with law enforcement for a public-safety reason. You may think the information is too trivial or embarrassing to mention, but it may well be extremely important, so share it.

Can I meet with an attorney alone?

It is usually in your best interest to meet with the attorney alone, even if the other person is paying for the appointment. Your friend (s) or loved one (s) can wait in the lobby. To avoid interruptions, be sure to turn off all cell phones or other electronic devices just before your appointment.