What to Expect During Your First Consultation with a Lawyer
When a situation arises that requires you to consult with a lawyer, there can be many feelings of uncertainty and trepidation. Although it may seem intimidating at first, the first consultation with a lawyer is actually a major and positive step forward in resolving the case at hand. In the initial meeting, most of the confusion will be cleared away and replaced with a path for the rest of the case. In general, there are a few things you should expect going in that will hopefully ease some of your nervousness.
The first step for a lawyer during a first consultation with a client is to determine the nature of the case. In other words, the attorney needs to know why legal action is being pursued and what the goal of the suit is. Is it to seek restitution for wrongful injuries? Collection of worker’s compensation? Application for Social Security? Determining this will go a long way to developing an executable strategy.
Secondly, the lawyer then will ask further questions to determine what other person or persons are involved in the case, both on the claimant and the defense side. This will reveal the scope of the case. Potential options will then be weighed out as to how to best approach the situation. The lawyer will suggest these options to the client, as well as his or her best recommendation for action.
Finally, at the end of the consultation, the lawyer will discuss business terms, fees, and payment options. This will vary, of course, from firm to firm, but it is important to know up front what it will cost. Many law offices have a policy of only demanding payment after and if a case is won, so be sure to ask about this.
Hopefully this guide has provided you with a better understanding of what to expect during your first consultation with a lawyer. At the Franco Law Firm, we aim to make the legal process as simple and clear as possible for you so that you can win your case with ease. To learn more about how to schedule your first, free consultation with us, please feel free to contact us at any time.
