Looking for an Attorney
Whether you were in a car accident, have a child custody issue, or want to start a business, you might be looking for a reputable attorney such as Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC to assist you. There are so many ways to go about looking for an attorney. For one, you could simply Google local attorneys, you could ask friends and family members, or you could reach out to your local bar association. When you find a few attorneys you like, and are trying to make the right decision on who to hire, the decision-making process can be overwhelming. You know you will spend a lot of money paying for an attorney’s time, so it is essential to get it right. Deciding who will represent you is essential, which is why many attorneys offer what is called a consultation. Generally, the consultation is a chance for you to tell your story, and the attorney can tell you if they can assist and the cost. The consultation can take anywhere from 30-minutes to 60-minutes and may be free or potentially cost a fee. The consultation is not just to tell your story though, and should be used as a chance to interview the attorney/firm and make sure you are the right fit for them, and they are the right fit for you.
Consultations
Free consultations are great for simply getting to know the attorney and the firm, and the cost of their services. Most attorneys that offer a free consultation won’t give you legal advice during that time. Remember, they make money by time, and their service is their brainpower. Also, if they don’t represent you, there is potential for ethical lines to be crossed, or if you took the advice they gave, but it didn’t work out in your favor, they could potentially be in trouble. Because of the ramifications and potential for adverse consequences, many attorneys will charge for legal advice or what is sometimes called legal consultations. With a paid legal consultation, you would pay the attorney a one-time fee and sign a short retainer agreement. Once you have paid and signed the retainer agreement, then you set a time to speak with the attorney. During that paid legal consultation you would have the opportunity to ask all the legal questions you want and receive the guidance and advice of a licensed attorney. You of course would have to pay for the attorney’s time in order to receive legal advice; however, that is a fair trade seeing that legal advice is the very thing they sell and use to make money.