How long will it take? – Asking your lawyer to predict the timeframe for your claim

Do you have a legal matter that you want resolved, but are unsure if you want to put in the amount of time to come to a resolution?

When it comes to legal situations, a substantial amount of your and the attorney’s time is necessary in order to see it into completion. Legal matters tend to be multifaceted, and, depending on the complexity of the legal issue, compiling each of the necessary components can be time-consuming.

If you are unsure about the length of time that may be required for your legal matter, discuss these concerns with the lawyer during the consultation. The following questions may help you gauge the amount of dedication and time involved to resolve an issue:

How many parties are involved in the case?

What kinds of evidence need to be collected?

Do experts need to be consulted to evaluate the evidence?

Do there need to be witnesses for your legal issue?

By discussing the amount of time involved in your legal situation, you can be better prepared for the legal proceedings. For more information regarding legal services, contact the Riverside County Bar Association. Or, if you are outside of Riverside, consider discussing your questions and concerns with the Brooklyn Bar, the Chicago Bar, or the Bar Association of San Francisco.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Is there too much on your lawyer’s plate? – Considering the lawyer’s workload and how that affects your claim

Going through any legal matter is time-consuming and stressful, so it is useful to go over a timeline with the lawyer to help gauge the amount of time and commitment you and the lawyer need to put in. One thing to consider is the lawyer’s current workload. Does the attorney already appear to have numerous cases to handle? Would he/she be able to focus on those cases and take on yours and keep you informed of significant developments?

There are times when the lawyer’s workload may be very full and, if he/she is dealing with involved cases, then it may be challenging for him/her to put in the amount of attention in your case that you would like. For example, if you are talking with a family lawyer, his/her workload may not be as heavy if the family matters are being settled in mediation as these types of situations do not require obtaining extensive evidences and calling upon witnesses. However, if the cases are very involved and require court appearances, then the workload may be substantial as they require the lawyer to delve deeply into the issues.

While the lawyer is not able to discuss any of the cases with you, you should ask the lawyer to gauge his/her workload and the possibility of taking on your case as well. In particular, if you believe that your case is going to be involved, then you should definitely inquire if your lawyer will be able to put in the time and energy needed into your case. Being upfront about such questions is important because it will help prevent stresses later on.

If you need further assistance regarding finding the right lawyer for your case, or if you would like to talk about any questions regarding the Lawyer Referral Services, contact the Riverside County Bar Association.

If you have a legal matter outside of Riverside County, consider one of these alternatives: The Bar Association of San Francisco, The Chicago Bar Association, or the Brooklyn Bar Association.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Is my consultation confidential?

During the consultation with a lawyer, there is a degree of respect and professionalism that the lawyer will uphold in the meeting. Regardless if you and the lawyer decide to work with each other, when engaging in a professional legal relationship, everything discussed with the lawyer in a private meeting remains confidential.

For example, John has a consultation with a lawyer regarding a violent crime. He discusses the situation in detail with the lawyer, but ultimately chooses to go with a different attorney. However, everything that was discussed with John and the previous lawyer is still between them and protected by the attorney-client privilege and that lawyer cannot provide any information regarding their conversation to the new lawyer, law enforcement, trial proceedings, or anyone for that matter.

Because the consultations are completely confidential and privileged, you can feel free to discuss important (and even uncomfortable) points in more detail. Providing as much pertinent information as possible to the lawyer will allow him/her to give you helpful legal guidance regarding the proceedings.

For more questions or concerns regarding lawyer help and services, contact the Riverside County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.

If your matter is not in Riverside, try these alternatives:

• The Bar Association of San Francisco Lawyer Referral Service
• Brooklyn Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.