Tips for Working With An Attorney

Preparing for Your Visit with

Your Attorney

Chances are that at some point in your life you will find yourself facing a legal problem requiring the assistance of an attorney.  Whether you are involved in a contract dispute, a personal injury dispute, a divorce, or simply need to have a will prepared, the following tips will help your consultation with your attorney go more smoothly, and may save you time and legal fees:

1.         Gather all relevant documents and take them with you to your consultation.  This may include contracts, invoices, receipts, letters, or anything else related to your legal issue.  This will help your attorney thoroughly evaluate your case and could help move your case along faster.

2.         Make a list of all people who are involved with your legal issue, and their addresses and telephone numbers.  This may include potential witnesses, doctors that treated your injury, or other people that have information about your case. 

3.         If you have been served with a lawsuit (or any other papers) by the sheriff or a process server, make a note of the date you were served, and tell your attorney that date.  There are strict time limits for responding to a lawsuit.

4.         Make a list of all issues and questions that you want to discuss with your attorney.  This will help avoid repeated telephone calls and visits, and will save you both time and attorney’s fees.

5.         Remember, what you tell your attorney will be kept confidential.  Do not be afraid to tell your attorney everything that is relevant to your case – even things you think might harm your case.  It is better to deal with problems from the outset, than to be surprised by them later, at some critical stage of litigation.

6.   Finally, be prepared to discuss the payment of legal fees.  You may be asked to sign a fee agreement with your attorney detail how your attorney will be compensated for his or her services  (i.e. flat fee, hourly, or contingency).  Depending on the type of case, your attorney may ask you to pay a retainer before he or she begins work on your case.

© Rod Powell 2012