Once you have a legal matter in your hands, you’ll want to consult with an attorney to get your issue resolved. With so many attorneys and areas of practice, it’s important to be able to find the one that will be a good fit for you. Many attorneys will offer a free consultation and some will require a fee so you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared to get the most our of your consultation. The following are tips on how to make that happen.
Be open and honest. The attorney will ask you many question to better understand your situation. Give an accurate description of the events. Don’t be shy or embarrassed to bring up uncomfortable facts. Your conversation is private and will not be shared with anyone else. An attorney is not there to judge you and in order to give you the best advice, they must be aware of all the facts.
Gather all documents related to your matter. Take any contracts, court documents, letters, pictures, police reports, etc. You’ll want to provide as much information as possible. This will help the attorney give you the best options available. If there’s an opposing party, provide any info you have for them. The details matter.
Talk about the cost. The attorney will be ready to discuss the fees and costs for your matter. Make sure you understand how their billing works. Also ask about payment plans and different options if it’s something you’re interested in.
Do not sign anything without reviewing it first. If you’ve decided to retain the attorney, you will be given a retainer agreement to sign. Make sure you read it thoroughly. If there’s anything you don’t understand, do not hesitate to ask for clarification. You want to make sure you are both on the same page.
Be on time to your consultation. If you’re unable to make it, call to reschedule. Don’t be a no-show. Be considerate of their time.
Schedule an in-person consultation rather than a phone consultation. You’ll get a better feel of whether that attorney is a good fit for you or not.
Take notes. You’re going to be getting a lot of information at once and it may be easy to forget.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Prepare a list of questions you know you’ll want answered before your consultation. Bring up any concerns you have.
Going to a law office may seem intimidating, but you must remember that attorneys, like a family lawyer Arlington TX trusts, are there to help you. They want to hear you out and find ways to resolve your issues. If for any reason, the attorney isn’t able to take on your case, ask for a referral.
Thanks to our friends from Brandy Austin Law Firm PLLC for their insight into getting the most out of your consultation.
