Meeting with your lawyer for the first time can be intimidating. You wouldn’t be consulting an attorney in the first place if they didn’t have certain expertise you don’t have. But while it’s true you should let your lawyer’s experience guide the conversation about building your case, there are also some questions you should ask your attorney the first time you talk. Stephen B. Kaufman, P.C. has been serving the needs of Bronx-area residents for over four decades, and he has a few suggestions on what you should find out during your first consultation.

What To Ask Your Attorney During The First Visit

1. Ask About Your Attorney’s Experience

The law is complex, so find a lawyer with specific expertise in the area you need. If you’ve been hurt in an accident and are seeking damages, for instance, you’ll want to make sure your attorney has significant experience with personal injury law. In fact, your lawyer should be able to give you examples of similar cases they’ve handled.

2. Find Out How You Will Be Billed

Different attorneys bill their clients in different ways. Some charge by the hour, some by the case, while still others may charge a flat fee for certain services. You may be asked to provide a retainer, which functions as a sort of down payment toward an attorney’s services. Make sure you find out what to expect in terms of fees during your first visit and when you’ll be charged.

3. Ask About The Time Frame

For your own benefit, ask your lawyer how long you should expect your case to take. Again, your attorney’s experience will come into play, and their background should help them give you at least some idea of the time frame to expect.

4. Ask What You Need To Do To Help

To build your case, your attorney may ask you to gather certain information: documents, contacts, or anything else that might be useful as evidence. Your attorney should have a clear idea of what you need to provide and when. Don’t leave the lawyer’s office without a solid plan for how to provide your attorney with what they will need in order to best help you.

If you are seeking an attorney in the Bronx, call Stephen B. Kaufman, P.C. at (718) 822-0500 or contact the law office via their website. The firm handles estate law and real estate in addition to personal injury cases, so if you have questions relating to legal issues in either of these areas, Attorney Kaufman can provide the answers.