Enlisting the services of an attorney can be daunting. Depending on your legal needs, the initial consultation can be costly, which is why you shouldn’t go in unprepared. Another thing to remember is that you are in charge of hiring your attorney; you are not obligated to hire an attorney after an initial consultation. To make finding a Coral Springs Attorney easier, we’ve created a list of essential questions you should ask during your initial consultation.
Essential Questions To Ask During Your Initial Legal Consultation
To make it easier for you to keep everything in order, we’ve divided the questions into different categories. You should ask things about communication, their experiences, how case management works, and even their fee structure. It may sound like a lot, but an initial consultation is also like an interview – you can’t go in unprepared.
Questions To Ask About Background And Experiences
1. How much experience do you have with cases like mine?
Keep in mind that while no two cases are exactly alike, there will be some similarities, even if it’s in the type of law (such as probate representation or foreclosure defense). This will also ensure that you enlist the services of a lawyer who is practicing in an area that you need assistance with. Hiring a criminal defense attorney won’t help if you’re dealing with foreclosures. As the law is vast and changing, attorneys will specialize in specific matters.
2. How many years have you been practicing law?
More often than not, more experience equals a better understanding of the law. With changes to legislation, you’d want to hire someone who has a deeper understanding of the legal ramifications of your matter.
3. Do you have references or testimonials from past clients?
While you can utilize search engines ahead of time to get a feel for your attorney, sometimes it is better to see if other clients have had similar positive interactions with the attorney. You don’t want to hire a lawyer who has a ton of bad reviews and only one or two positive ones. If your lawyer is open, while maintaining client confidentiality, about client testimonials, you can gain insight into their reputation and the satisfaction levels of past clientele.
Questions To Ask About Case Management and Communication
1. How will you manage my case?
Having an understanding of how your Coral Springs legal representative will handle your matters will help temper your expectations going forward and provide you with insight into how they will assist you. It will also help you understand how involved you will need to be throughout the process.
2. Who will be working on my case?
You don’t want to leave a consultation feeling confident in your attorney, only to later find out someone else is handling your case. Depending on who is left with your case file, there could be a marked difference in experience and understanding of the legislation. Clarifying upfront will allow you to ask the relevant follow-up questions about experience and more that is relevant to the individual who will be managing your legal matters.
3. How will we communicate about my case?
You need to establish how communication will be handled.You may not need to know a detailed account of every step that is taken, but you should keep up with the status of your case and how it is progressing.
4. How quickly will you respond to calls or emails?
Setting a baseline around response times will work in favor of both parties. Just as you have other obligations, so does your attorney. If you’re both on the same page, you will find yourself more at ease when you do need to pass on or find out information.
Questions To Ask About Fees and Costs
1. What Is your fee structure?
Clarify what fee structure your attorney uses. Attorney fees can differ between legal practitioners. Some may charge a flat fee, while others an hourly rate. Once you have clarified the type of legal fee structure you can also ensure that you understand what services are included for that specific fee.
2. Are there additional costs I should keep in mind?
When dealing with legal matters which can be costly, its important to ask about any additional costs you may face ahead of time. You don’t want to be caught off guard and without the necessary funds to pay additional costs such as court fees, filing fees or more depending on your situation.
Questions To Ask About Your Case
1. What are the possible outcomes of my case and are there any risks?
Gaining an understanding of the potential outcomes ahead of time will help you better prepare for the finalization of your matters. Understanding risks will also help you mitigate any damages and the like ahead of time as you will have time to make informed decisions instead of making snap decisions at the last minute.
2. What do I need to do?
An attorney may be well-versed in the law, but you must also play your part. Ask your legal representation what steps you need to take next. Would you need to gather and collate additional information? What else do you need to document throughout this process?
What Should I Do Before Meeting With My Attorney?
Now that you’ve prepared your questions before your initial consultation. You may want to prepare as much documentation as possible and copies of relevant documents before the first meeting. Not only will this save time during the consultation, but it will help your attorney have a better understanding of your situation from the start.
If you’re seeking a consultation with a reputable Coral Springs attorney, look no further than Gary I. Handin at Gary I. Handin, P.A.
Call today to schedule a consultation to discuss more about our legal service offerings at 1-877-815-4560!