Before you begin work a new establishment, you would love to have a little insight into the operations of the firm right? In the same vein, if you are meeting, let’s say, a doctor for the first time, you would surely love to envision how the conversation would go.
The same applies to visiting an attorney for the first time. You will definitely want to know how the meeting will play out including the questions he or she will ask, what he or she will require, etc. Having this information will enable you to prepare properly for your first appointment with an attorney.
Let us take a look at some of the things you should expect
What to expect at the first appointment with an attorney
A lot of individuals are usually concerned about the costs that will be involved in getting an attorney to handle their case. These individuals always try to know those costs prior to their consultation. It is very crucial to understand that the cost of handling a legal case hinges on the work that may be involved, and that work differs depending on the type and difficulty of the case.
Aside from the type and difficulty of the case, it is best that you consider the fee structure including the costs involved.
Fee and Costs
Attorneys normally bill in three diverse ways; flat fees, contingency fees, including hourly fees. In most cases with hourly fee billing, you will be asked to pay a retainer (lump-sum payment of fees) in advance. This fee is used to cover costs needed to take up your case. These costs range from court filing fees, travel costs, fees for process servers, mailings, paralegal work, etc.
With hourly billing method, as soon as the retainer is finished you will be asked to replenish the retainer. Some types of cases requires the fusion of all three billing techniques.
The flat fee billing technique is always used in cases of uncontested divorce and in creation of trust and estate documents like wills, living wills, health care proxies, power of attorney, etc. In such cases, the attorney can give an estimate of time and resources he or she will require to finish the job. Most attorneys will ask that you make upfront payment.
The appointment
When meeting with an attorney for the first time, you will be asked several questions. The purpose of the questions is to enable the attorney understand your situation. Some of the questions may be personal such as your marriage status, number of kids you have, assets owned, questions about your spouse, your finances, etc. You shouldn’t fret when these questions are being asked as they are meant to help the attorney get a better picture of your situation and proffer the right solution.
Normally, attorneys will ensure that you are comfortable with the questions. Most attorneys wouldn’t want to throw questions at you like as cannon ball. So, they might request for your consent before going ahead with the questions. Or they will ask the questions in a way that doesn’t seem like they are intruding into your private life. If you aren’t comfortable with the questions being asked, you could always let the attorney know.
If you would be answering the attorney’s questions, ensure you provide accurate answers as doing the opposite may result in mistakes in whatever plan the attorney might device after examining your case based on the answers provided.
What do you bring?
When consulting with an attorney for the very first time, ensure you take along with you all paperwork associated to the issue you will be discussing. For instance, copies of court orders, prenuptial agreements, judgments, including other contracts. If you are battling a probate case, ensure you take along with you all necessary death certificates and wills. If the attorney forwarded a questionnaire to you, ensure that you fill it out and take it with you also.
