Recently we told you what to expect in your initial consultation. But what happens after you’ve had the initial consultation and you’ve met with one of our attorneys? For those that would like to know what to expect all the way down the line, I have put together a list of possible avenues for after the initial consultation.
For your family law or mediation case, toward the end of your consultation with one of our attorneys, he or she will provide you with a retainer deposit amount, representing the fee we require in advance to represent you. You will also receive an Engagement Contract that will include the retainer amount, the attorney and paralegal’s billable rates, and details about literally everything that will be charged on your case.
Once the Engagement Contract is signed, your retainer deposit is put into a trust account at our bank. A trust account is like an “escrow” account; we deduct amounts from your account only after we do work on your case and invoice you. We send invoices out once or twice a month detailing all work we have done on your case, so you aren’t left in the dark regarding the withdrawal. When your trust account nears a certain amount, we will require another payment to replenish your account. Once your case is completed, you will receive a check for the remainder that is in your trust account.
If, at the end of your initial consultation, you decide you want to think about it or that you do not want to hire our firm, please do not feel obligated. Our attorneys will never pressure you to make a decision today. In fact, we have several clients each week who come back to us a day or two after their initial consultation and decide to hire us. If you would like an Engagement Contract drawn up to take home to review after your initial consultation, we are happy to do that as well.
The bottom line is that you need to feel comfortable with the attorney you hire to represent you. We are happy to answer ALL legal questions you have about your matter in your initial consultation. We believe that in order to make the best decision for your case, you need to be properly informed. If you have any questions or want more information about the consultation process, please feel free to email us at info@attorneyholcomb.com!