Most of us will need to use a solicitor at some point in our lives for any number of reasons. Legal advice is crucial when we are buying or selling property, creating a will, protecting our assets and starting and maintaining a business. It pays to be prepared before you start to consult a solicitor so you benefit from every meeting.
Preparation Is Key
Even if you are still deciding on a solicitor and having initial consultation meetings before your final decision, you still need to prepare yourself for these meetings. You may be meeting solicitors through personal recommendations or you may have researched a list of solicitors on the internet. However you came up with your list, you must think about what questions you want to ask them.
One of the most obvious discussions you should have is about the fees they will charge. Do they charge a flat rate or will things add up as the case progresses? Make sure that your solicitor is as transparent as possible about the fees they will charge and ask for a written breakdown of costs so you have an understanding of the cost structure.
Naturally, you will hopefully have chosen a list of solicitors because they have proven expertise in the area of law you need, such as conveyancing, family law or business law. Using a solicitor with specific experience is ideal if you want to receive the best possible counsel.
You may also want to ask them questions about who exactly will be dealing with you on a day-to-day basis and who your main point of contact will be. If you feel you need a senior solicitor because of the nature of your requirements, then it is important that your case is not assigned to a junior solicitor who may not have the necessary experience.
You may also want to choose a solicitor who is happy to have frequent face-to-face meetings if you prefer a more personal touch rather than a mainly online service. If this is the case then you should try to find a solicitor who is based close to your workplace or home so it is easy to arrange meetings.
Keeping a Record
Once you have chosen your solicitor, it will make things easier for both of you if you have kept a record of all relevant documents and paperwork relating to your legal issues. Even if you think something might not be relevant it could be something that your solicitor will find useful. Keeping a record or timeline of your case if this is appropriate is also a good idea. This is often useful in personal injury cases or difficult family law situations.
Being prepared when you are choosing a solicitor is very important and this extends to when you a forming a relationship with one. Preparation will be beneficial for your solicitor and for yourself.