what to expect at lawyer consultation

by Quinten Windler 7 min read

Consultations: What to Expect

  • You Get What You Pay For. The old adage is true in this case: you really do get what you pay for. ...
  • Time is of the Essence. Rarely is this saying more true than in a legal setting. ...
  • There Are Only So Many Hours in a Day—Make Them Count. Free consultations are a way for attorneys to get potential clients in the door to sell their services.

Full Answer

What should I expect at my first consultation with an attorney?

Nov 16, 2020 · What to Expect From a Consultation. 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 …

What happens during an initial consultation?

Dec 10, 2018 · Depending on the type of situation, the lawyer consultation will attempt to determine if he can help you. He may ask you questions about the situation and request to see documents and photos that support your position. This is also the time to share information about witnesses to the incident.

How do I find a good lawyer to consult?

Feb 11, 2022 · What Can I Expect From The Lawyer? While lawyers do not generally provide specific legal advice during the initial consultation, you can expect to gain a better understanding of the overall process in the context of your circumstances.

What happens at a divorce consultation?

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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 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.

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 does it mean to consult with a lawyer?

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.Jul 22, 2019

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 do you say when you call a lawyer?

0:261:20What 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 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 does a consultation include?

A consultation is a “type of service provided by a physician whose opinion or advice regarding evaluation and/or management of a specific problem is requested by another physician or appropriate sources.”

What does a consultation consist of?

Consultation definition A meeting to discuss, decide, or plan something, as a meeting of several doctors to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of a patient. A conference for the exchange of information and advice.

What are some cons of being a lawyer?

Disadvantages of Being an AttorneyLawyers often work long hours.You will often no longer have a life apart from work.Clients can be quite demanding.Working climate may be rather bad.You may get sued.Law school can cost a fortune.Digitalization is a threat to lawyers.More items...

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 case?

A retainer is basically a down payment for the attorney’s work.

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.

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.

Why is it important to have a first meeting with an attorney?

This first meeting is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the attorney. This is important, because you will be sharing thoughts and feelings that you may not share with anyone else. For that reason, you should feel comfortable speaking with the attorney and you should feel that you can trust the attorney to act in your best interests.

Can an attorney guarantee a monetary award?

However, if the attorney does see merit in your case, you will discuss the situation further. While an attorney can’t guarantee you a specific monetary award, he can use his expertise and past experiences to give you an idea of what to expect in your case.

What is an initial consultation?

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 ...

What are some examples of legal documents?

Examples may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, cell phone texts, emails, photos, audio recordings, or videos. 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.

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Introductory Call

  • Usually there is an introductory call to check for what is known as a “conflict check”. This is to ensure that the lawyer is not acting for a party who is or could be the law firm’s previous client. The lawyer would also wish to verify your identity and to assess whether a lawyer is needed in your case in the first place. Sometimes, the introductory call made by a senior secretary or the fi…
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Is It A Lawyer Or Solicitor Or Counsel, Are They Different Persons?

  • The word “lawyer”, “solicitor”, “advocate”, “counsel” all refer to the same person i.e. a qualified person under the Legal Profession Act who must have a valid practising certificate at the time of your engagement before he can advise you. A lawyer who does not have a valid practising certificate and the necessary insurance cover cannot advise you on the aspects of Singapore la…
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Preparing For The First Meeting with A Lawyer

  • When you attend a lawyer’s office, it could be because you need help with a criminal charge against you or a loved ones; to claim or defend a claim for monies or loss you have suffered, be involved in an accident and suffered property damage or injury or to deal with the sale or purchase of a property. In less stressful circumstances, you may need advice or some contract prepared o…
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General Rules

  • It is advisable to come early as the lawyer would have blocked a slot for you to have that meeting with you and expect that the meeting would end at a specific time. Come prepared with your questions so that the lawyer would be able to answer them at the appropriate time. At the meeting, you may be greeted by more than one persons. If there is only one person in your meeti…
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Capacity Or Authority to Act

  • First, you need to inform and for the lawyer to identify if you have the authority and capacity to give instructions as you may be required to enter into a warrant to act or letter of engagement to appoint the law firm to act for you. A warrant to act is a document stating that you are giving the lawyer to act for you. The letter of engagement would commonly contain terms and conditions o…
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Relevant Documents

  • Always good to bring along all the relevant documents for the purposes of the discussion. Relevant here means all documents connected with your case, typically letters, emails, WhatsApp communications, contracts, reports etc. In specific situations to your case, it could also include letters from clinics, photographs, drawings, plans, statements of witnesses or potential witnesse…
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“I Don’T Speak Much English….Can I Speak In….?”

  • You may not be very proficient in the English language, and you prefer to have lawyer speaking in your native tongue. Most law firms should be able to provide you with this service and do not be afraid to ask for someone who can. At our firm, we can speak Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, Tamil. If documents need to be signed, an interpreter will also be arranged for you.
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Questions, Questions, Questions

  • Expect the lawyer to ask many questions and his or her questions would be very different from what you may want to share with the lawyer that you think is important. Sometimes, the lawyer may stop you from continuing. Do not fret, the lawyer is looking for relevant information. Remember that the lawyer is attempting to assess and form a preliminary view based on the inf…
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Prepare A Chronology of Events

  • It is useful if you could prepare a chronology of events of your case before your meeting as it would assist in narrowing down the issue and for the lawyer to provide a preliminary strategy of advancing your case or providing the relevant document. It does not have to be long lengthy sentences. It can be in point form but it should include key dates, time and description of the eve…
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Timing

  • Expect the meeting to last for at least 20 to 30 mins and it can go on till 2 to 2.5 hours if the issues are many and complex.
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