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Initial Consultation

I have people ask whether we provide a 'Free' Initial consultation.

The answer is 'no' because we spend a reasonable amount of time to prepare for the initial consultation by reviewing the relevant law in the area of your concern. We also set aside that time to concentrate on YOU and YOUR discussion, which means that we are not free to pursue any other activity during that time.

Our fee for an initial consultation is a set fee of $75.00, and the time-frame for an initial consultation is approximately 30 minutes.

The next question is whether or not the potential client can get all of his/her questions answered during the initial consultation. The answer to this is 'maybe'.

Why an initial consultation?

Questions of Law:

The most obvious purpose of the initial consultation is to allow you (the prospective client) to share your needs or concerns, and for the attorney to tell you about the relevant laws. The purpose of the initial consultation is NOT to provide a final or definite legal opinion on your particular situation because the specific facts of a situation are critical to a complete evaluation. You really do not want anyone to give you a final analysis without taking the time to review the laws with your facts in mind.

Sometimes, a general overview of the law is sufficient and all of your questions are answered and all of your needs are met.

Often, the attorney will need additional time to take your facts and review those facts as they pertain to specific laws.

Working Together:

Another purpose of the initial consultation is for you and the attorney to get to know each other to make sure you can work together effectively.

Whatever your legal need, it is one of the most important things in your life at that time, and you want to make sure you feel comfortable with the attorney that will be handling that situation for you.

The attorney also needs to feel sure that he/she can work effectively with you as a potential client.

Sometimes personalities just don't mesh well, and the initial consultation is the best place to discover that.

Conflict Checking:

There is also the possibility that the attorney is not going to be able to represent you because of a conflict. The initial consultation allows the attorney to get more information so that he/she can effectively check to make sure that there is no conflict.

Defining the terms of the representation:

You and the attorney will need to agree on the scope of the representation, the time frames involved, the fees involved and how you will communicate with each other.

At Kristina Beavers, Attorney at Law, we use an 'engagement letter' to define the attorney-client relationship. This letter serves as the contract between us and outlines the obligations and duties of both the attorney and the client.

What happens next?

The initial consultation will generally result in one of four outcomes:

1. You and the attorney mutually agree to the terms of the representation as outlined in the 'engagement letter';

2. The attorney declines representation, based on a conflict of interest or other factor that prevents us from handling the matter;

3. The attorney refers you to another resource that is more appropriate for resolving your matter; or

4. You decide not to use the services of the attorney, for whatever personal reasons you may consider important.

If the result is an agreement to work together toward a resolution of your legal situation, we will request an initial deposit of money from you to get started on whatever is appropriate to move your situation along to a conclusion.

Want to schedule an initial consultation?

Please call the office at 757-234-4650 to schedule your initial consultation with one of our attorneys.

Or you can contact us here.