Top concerns from clients and tips during initial consultation
Top Concerns from Clients and Tips During Initial Consultation
The first concern raised by clients is whether they will have to pay for the initial consultation. Most firms don’t charge for the initial consultation which is the fair thing to do. Of course, if that initial consultation is going to involve reviewing hundreds of documents, then the law firm would likely charge a fee. But that 30-60 minute initial consultation should be without cost.
Clients often worry about whether they should open up and be completely honest about the case. This is an understandable concern considering that the prospective client has not yet hired the attorney. However, even if you don’t hire the attorney, the conversation is still protected and cannot be discussed without your permission. It is important that you give an honest account of your case including information that may be sensitive to you or your family.
For obvious reasons, the clients are concerned about the outcome of the case. An attorney should be able to talk to you about possible outcomes and what the attorney will attempt to do in order to reach a desired outcome, however, an attorney should never guarantee a result. If an attorney promises you a result, then you should not hire that attorney because the attorney is not the judge or jury and no one knows the result prior to beginning the process. No attorney wins every case and sometimes the best legal advice may not be what you want to hear.
There are some important tips and reminders that apply to all initial consultations. A good reminder is to bring all of the documents you have collected regarding your case and give copies to the attorney. Prior to the consultation, make sure you write down the questions you have for the attorney so that you don’t miss or forget anything. The attorney needs to have all of the details in order to determine the best way to serve your interests. Also, don’t be shy about asking the attorney questions. This will ensure that you and the attorney are on the same page and should help you better understand your case and legal issues.
After you have gone over the case, is the time to talk to the attorney about the legal fee. At this point in the consultation, the attorney should know enough about the case to give a fair and reasonable quote. It is also perfectly okay to discuss payment plan options with the attorney. When you make the decision to hire the attorney, get your agreement in writing and keep a copy for your file.