What to Expect From a Free Lawyer Consultation

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If you’re facing any sort of legal situation, you’re almost always better off with a skilled lawyer at your side. Legal problems are often extremely complicated, which means you can easily find a negative outcome if you aren’t prepared.

Knowing that you need a lawyer is one thing, but finding one is another. You must be thorough in your selection process to ensure that you find the right person to help your case.

Fortunately, many lawyers offer an initial consultation to allow you to connect with them. This can be an enlightening experience, but many people misunderstand what a free lawyer consultation entails.

Preparing for an initial lawyer consultation starts with knowing what to expect. We’ll go over this below so you have the tools to find the best lawyer for your case!

Better Understanding of Your Situation

A good consultation will end with you having a better understanding of your situation.

One of the main reasons why you need a lawyer is because of their knowledge. They have a comprehension of the law and can apply this to your situation to help you.

Because of this, you want to feel like a lawyer knows what they’re doing regarding your case. The best way to demonstrate this is by helping you understand your situation better.

Specifically, a lawyer should be able to evaluate the facts you give them. From this, they should give you an educated opinion as to what may happen in your case, the potential outcomes, and what your options are. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during your consultation!

After speaking to a lawyer, you shouldn’t feel in the dark anymore. They should be able to provide you with a basic sense of what’s going on and this is invaluable for your mental state as your case proceeds.

Cost Structure

During a consultation, an honest lawyer will thoroughly explain their cost structure.

Legal assistance is almost always expensive and your cost only rises the longer your case takes. Time is one factor, but how a lawyer approaches pricing will also affect your cost.

Generally, lawyer services are offered either on a contingency basis or a retainer and hourly rate format.

A contingency agreement means that the lawyer only gets paid if they win your case and they receive a flat fee of the proceedings. A retainer is an upfront payment that is used to cover expenses, namely the hourly rate charged by a lawyer.

The type of pricing structure you see will vary depending on the lawyer and the type of case you have. However, it should be clear as to how you will be charged for help during your case.

In particular, you want to know what type of pricing model they use. Is it on contingency or retainer and hourly? Furthermore, how much do they take from your proceedings, or what is their hourly rate?

These questions may feel uncomfortable and hopefully, they will be answered without prompting. If they aren’t, make sure you ask so you fully understand what you’re paying for!

Case Potential

Arguably the greatest outcome of consulting with a lawyer is to determine the potential of your case.

You want a lawyer because you want to win your case. Nobody wants to lose a legal situation and they certainly wouldn’t be paying several thousand to do it.

Because of this, you want a lawyer that gives you the greatest odds of a favorable outcome. No lawyer can necessarily guarantee a victory, but they can give you a realistic expectation based on the facts of your case and similar cases they’ve dealt with.

They can tell you what they’ve seen in the past, how your case differs, and what you should expect as a result. This may not always be the answer you want, but that’s also important to know so you don’t waste your time.

Look for a lawyer that has a good balance of confidence and practicality. You want someone who can win yet understands the problems that will arise along the way.

Compatibility

You should also be able to gauge your compatibility with a lawyer after meeting with them.

This may seem insignificant, but the type of person you have representing you can make a big difference.

Specifically, this is relevant in three different ways.

First, a consultation shows you what type of lawyer they are and what type of law they understand best. You need a lawyer that specializes in the field of law that your legal situation touches on. Speaking with them can tell you if they have that expertise.

Second, you can learn how they do law. There are many approaches to winning a case and some are less ethical than others. While winning may be your priority, you may not feel good about an unethical approach.

Last, you can pick up on who they are as a person. Are they welcoming and accommodating? Will they keep in constant communication with you? Little things like this matter because it affects how supported you feel throughout your legal case.

Compatibility is incredibly important when picking a lawyer. Trust your instincts and only hire the one that you connect with.

Closing Thoughts

A free lawyer consultation is an excellent way to get in touch with a legal professional without committing. It allows both you and a lawyer to learn more about each other and see if you will work well together.

During this consultation, there are a few things you should expect. This includes a better understanding of your situation, comprehension of their cost structure, an evaluation of your case potential, and a sense of whether you are compatible with them.

The more effort you put into a lawyer consultation, the more information you’ll receive from it. Keep this in mind and be as thorough as possible to find the best lawyer for your case!

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