| Consulting
with an Attorney - Questions & Answers
Introduction
Visiting an
attorney can be an intimidating process. Clients
are often struggling with an issue that they've
come to realize is beyond their capabilities.
They need help but aren't sure where to turn.
The Armstrong Law Firm works
hard to put our clients at ease. To help you understand
the process, we've included here the answers to
some frequently asked questions about our firm
and our how we do business. Please feel free to
call us at 214-265-0808.
Who will I talk with when I call your
firm?
When you contact us by phone
at 214-265-0808, a receptionist will transfer
you directly to one of our attorneys. If by chance
no attorney is available, please leave a voice
mail message and an attorney will contact you
as soon as possible
If you contact us by e-mail,
one of our attorneys will respond by e-mail unless
you tell us in your message that you prefer a
phone call. When you contact our firm, you will
always be dealing directly with the attorney.
What kind of attorneys'
fees will I pay?
Attorneys fees vary according
to the type and complexity of the case. Each case
is unique and requires careful evaluation to determine
a fair fee.
In some circumstances, we will
bill you for the time it takes us to complete
the legal work you've hired us to do. In other
instances, we ask for a retainer to cover the
initial stages of the project. In some matters,
such as bankruptcy cases, we charge a standard,
competitive fee for a simple case, but may charge
additional fees for complications. In still other
cases, many times we can seek attorneys' fees
from opponents in litigation or charge a contingency
fee that will be paid out of any settlement or
judgment.
In all cases, we will ask you
to sign an engagement letter that will spell out
the work will do for you, our fees, our billing
method and your responsibilities. The engagement
letter serves to explain exactly what you can
expect from us and what we can expect from you.
What kind of expenses
will I pay?
Unlike other firms, the Armstrong
Law Firm does not normally charge our clients
for incidental expenses like postage, copying
and long distance charges. We will ask that you
pay for court filing fees and extraordinary expenses
like out-of-town travel and overnight delivery
services.
I'm not sure I can afford
a lawyer. Can you help me?
We are happy to offer low cost initial
consultations to all our clients. We occasionally
do pro bono work as well, depending on the situation.
Come in and see us, and we'll discuss your individual
situation.
What do I bring with
me to the initial meeting with the attorney?
When you contact the firm and
talk with an attorney, the attorney will ask you
some questions to help understand the nature of
the legal services you need. Based on that initial
evaluation, the attorney will tell you what you
need to bring with you.
The items may include contracts,
loan documents, deeds of trust, and letters from
creditors or insurance companies.
If you are consulting the firm
for a will or if you are considering filing bankruptcy,
the attorney may ask for your address in order
to send you worksheets to complete before your
initial consultation. This will streamline the
process and allow us to begin work on your case
sooner.
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