The initial lawyer consultation can be unproductive and a waste of time if you go unprepared. In a new advice article, attorney Richard Smalley explains.

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES, November 6, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Legal cases are distressing; there are no two views about it. A good lawyer can make them a little less stressful. But, how do you find a good lawyer? While suggestions and reviews can help you shortlist a few lawyers, you cannot decide which one to hire without meeting them in person. Same goes for lawyers – they need to meet potential clients to find out if they can work with them.

This is what the initial consultation is for – to help both the client and the lawyer decide if they can work together. However, an initial consultation or the first meeting can be unproductive and a waste of time if you go for it unprepared. In his new article, Oklahoma lawyer Richard E. Smalley provides a brief overview. The complete article will be published on his Blog at https://richardsmalleylawblog.family.blog/

To help you make the most of time and reach a decision, here are a few things you should remember while going for a lawyer consultation:

* Ask If There Is a Consultation Fee

First things first, ask the lawyer if there is a fee for the meeting. Lawyers typically charge a per hour fee, so if there is a consultation fee, make sure to make the most of it. Ask all the necessary questions that can help you decide if you want to hire the lawyer or not. Do not waste time in discussing unnecessary or less important questions. If you don’t want to pay for the first meeting, look for free consultation lawyers. There are some lawyers who offer free-of-cost consultations.

* Make a List of Questions

No matter how intelligent you are or how sharp your memory is, this is not the time to show it. Always, write down all the questions on a paper or a notebook before going for the meeting to make sure you do not forget anything important.

While the questions may vary from case to case, here are some general questions to ask a lawyer in the first meeting:

* Does your case fall into the lawyer’s area of expertise?
* How many similar cases has the lawyer handled in the past?
* What options do you have - both legal and out-of-court?
* What problems are likely to occur in your case?
* How is the other side likely to respond? What is their plan of action likely to be?
* How likely is it that the case will get settled in your favor?
* How long will the case take to conclude?
* Is the lawyer going to personally handle the case? Or are they going to transfer it to a team member, colleague or junior?
* If any other lawyer is going to be involved in the case, ask if you can meet them before finalizing the contract.
* How will the lawyer charge for the case – on an hourly or per-meeting basis or is there a flat fee?
* Ask about the accepted modes of payments to avoid any problems later on.

Be Prepared for Lawyer’s Questions

Just like you have a lot of things to ask, lawyers also take all the important information in the first meeting to decide whether they want to take up the case or not. This includes your personal details, your narrative, and all the information you can provide about the case.

Take Relevant Documents

Lawyers do not just rely on verbal information, they need written documents and proof that can help them determine the strength of your case. So, make sure to carry all relevant documents to the initial lawyer consultation, no matter how insignificant they appear to you. Sometimes, a small and seemingly insignificant piece of evidence can change the direction of the case.

Preparing for your first meeting with a lawyer is critical for your case, so don’t take it lightly. If you are well-prepared, the initial consultation will be enough for you to decide whether you want to work with a lawyer or not.

About Richard Emory Smalley, III

Richard E. Smalley, III is an attorney in Norman, Oklahoma. He is an AV-rated trial attorney with more than 30 years’ experience. Mr. Smalley focuses on family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support, divorce modifications, paternity, and guardianship. He is also experienced in probate matters and wills. The practice presently includes, trial work, divorce, post-divorce modifications, child support collection, child custody litigation, paternity, guardianship, adoption, probate and wills. Mr. Smalley has been appointed by judges and attorneys to serve as the Guardian ad Litem for children in dozens of contested child custody cases, and serves as a mediator in family law cases.

References

Website: http://smalleylawfirm.com/richard-e-smalley-iii/
Blog: https://richardsmalleylawblog.family.blog/
News: https://hype.news/richard-e-smalley-iii-family-lawyer-us/
Attorney Profile: https://solomonlawguild.com/richard-e-smalley%2C-iii
Attorney Profile: https://attorneygazette.com/richard-e-smalley%2C-iii#2d2e7913-7e09-4dcc-8c60-1f89053f64cd
http://www.americanregistry.com/business/richard-e-smalley/290254
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-smalley-8a3b799/

Richard E. Smalley, III
The Smalley Law Firm
+1 405-801-2222
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