You have decided you can’t solve this issue on your own, and need to get the court system involved. You’ve asked for recommendations, done your research, and set up a consultation with an attorney to discuss your case. Now what?
As the scouts say, be prepared. You’ll need to know what you want to get out of the process, and be able to communicate that to the attorney. In exchange, they’ll be able to tell you what kind of relief the law will be able to provide, and what it won’t. Whether you’re seeking legal help for a divorce, estate planning, business matters, or any other legal issue, the more organized and informed you are, the more productive your consultation will be.
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Documents
If you’re already involved in a case, bring whatever you have been served with, or anything that shows what the Court has done thus far. For business matters or disputes, bring the contract or agreement you are fighting over.
You should also be prepared to provide contact information for people involved in your case, so if you need to chase that up, do so before your consultation.
If you are discussing matters like divorce, child support, or estate planning, have your financial documents in order. Be prepared to discuss your current financial situation and your expectations going forward.
If your case involves a specific occurrence and you have text messages, social media posts, or other evidence of the occurrence, bring those with you, too.
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Write Down Key Facts
Before your meeting, take the time to write a summary of the key facts about your case. This will help you organize your thoughts on the following points:
1. What is the legal issue?
2. Who is involved? (Name of individuals, companies, etc.)
3. What events led to the issue? (Dates and specifics are important here.)
4. What outcomes are you hoping for?
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Prepare a List of Questions
Think about what you want or need to know during your meeting. Some questions to consider might include:
1. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
2. How long might the process take?
3. What are the costs involved?
4. What can I do to strengthen my case?
5. Are there any risks or downsides I should be aware of?
6. What are the first steps you would take if I hired your firm?
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Be Ready to Discuss Fees
It is essential to understand how legal fees work and what the financial expectations will be. Ask about:
Billing structure: Is it hourly, flat-rate, or based on winning the case? How often does the attorney bill on the case? Is it twice a month, monthly, or only at the end of the case? This can help you plan out your own finances to accommodate this extra cost.
Retainer: Will I need to pay a retainer upfront, and if so, how much? Will I need to keep putting money into that retainer account? What happens at the end of the case to any money of mine that the attorney has?
Additional Costs: Are there other costs for filing fees, expert witnesses, or other services?
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Be Honest and Open
Your attorney needs all the facts — good and bad — to give you accurate legal advice. Holding back information can harm your case later. Even if certain details are embarrassing or might seem irrelevant, share them. Your consultation is protected by the attorney-client privilege and the attorney cannot share what you discuss with them.
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Take Notes
During the meeting, take notes on what the attorney advises you to do and what the next steps will be. Legal matters can often be complex, and it’s easy to forget important details once the meeting is over. Having notes to reference can help you stay on track.
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Manage Your Expectations
Most consultations are brief – an hour or less. The purpose of the consultation is for the attorney to gather enough information to determine if they can help you. It is also for you to gather enough information about the attorney to determine if you want to work with this person. While the attorney may offer insights, you probably will not leave with a full solution right away, especially if your case requires additional investigation or documentation.
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Bring a Support Person (Maybe)
If you feel nervous or unsure, you can bring a trusted friend or family member to your consultation. Just be sure to clear this with the attorney beforehand and understand that they may need to ask you personal questions that could be uncomfortable to discuss in front of others.
Also, keep in mind that anyone you bring to your consultation can be asked to discuss what happened in your meeting. Generally, if you are discussing a personal matter, the attorney will advise that you not have anyone else in the room to protect the attorney-client relationship.
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Conclusion
The better prepared you are for your initial meeting, the smoother and more productive the process will be. Having your documents ready, questions prepared, and being upfront with your attorney will help you get the advice and support you need to navigate your legal issue. When you are prepared for your meeting, you will be able to spend time evaluating whether the attorney will be a good fit for you. Beyond providing legal expertise, this person is about to get very personal with you. You should make sure you are comfortable with them and trust their advice.
