Consultation
After you schedule an appointment to speak with one of our attorneys, bring several items with you. Please keep in mind that each case is unique, and the items you are asked to bring to the initial consultation will vary accordingly.
If a case has already been filed, whether by you or by someone else, you will want to bring copies of all of the documents you have either filed in the action or received from the opposing party, regardless of whether you feel they are essential to your case.
Suppose your case involves a marital dissolution (or divorce, as it is more commonly known). In that case, you will want to bring with you at least the last three years of your federal and state income tax returns, copies of your three most recent paycheck stubs, and copies of evidence of any significant assets or debts, such as deeds of trust, bank statements, retirement statements, credit card statements, etc. Generally, it is best to bring ample information to your consultation rather than too little.
At the time of the office consultation, the attorney will discuss with you the major issues of the case to be resolved, including an overview of the process and what you can expect to experience during your case. At the time of the initial office consultation, the attorney will also quote you a retainer amount to be paid before the attorney will accept representation of you.
Ideally, you will want to have a list of questions you would like the attorney to answer at the time of the office consultation, especially if your case is a family law matter involving child custody and child visitation issues. Many clients express relief when informed of their legal rights, and the “unknowns” of litigation are explained to them.
Initial office consultations generally last one hour. However, depending on the case’s complexity, it may take longer. The initial office consultation is $375.00 for the first hour.
REMEMBER: Even if you cannot afford to ultimately hire one of our attorneys to represent you in your matter, you will still be provided with helpful information by the attorney that you can use to protect your interests.
