A legal consultation with an attorney in Kansas is a meeting that an individual attends before they decide on whether the lawyer will represent them in their legal issue. At this meeting, the lawyer will also be determining whether or not they will be able to competently represent the potential client.
When the two parties decide to work together, they will typically sign a written representation agreement. Before an individual consults with a lawyer, they should make sure they are prepared for the meeting by gathering anything that may be important for their case.
For example, if an individual has an issue involving employment law, it is important to bring a copy of the employment contract, if one exists. Documents that an individual may have been required to sign for their employment include:
If an individual has experienced employment discrimination, they should gather:
- Written evidence of the discrimination, for example:
- Emails or other types of communication;
- Company policies or handbooks;
- Job offers and employment contracts;
- Verbal communications, for example, statements that were made in an interview or during an evaluation; and
- Documents, which may include pay stubs or human resources records that may support a claim for damages.
Other examples of general types of documents that an individual should bring to their attorney consultation can include:
- Police or accident reports
- Property deeds
- Employment records;
- Other documents that show evidence of the damages incurred.
What Will Be Discussed at a Legal Consultation?
What is discussed during an individual’s legal consultation depends entirely on the legal issue or concern of the individual. Generally, there will be a discussion of the individual’s claim and the fee arrangement that the lawyer may use, such as a contingency fee, a flat fee, or an hourly fee basis.
Having an initial consultation or meeting with a lawyer does not mean that an attorney-client relationship is formed. During this meeting, the lawyer may provide legal advice.
If the lawyer gives advice that pertains to issues within their competence or expressly or impliedly agrees to give advice or assistance in the matter, an implied attorney-client relationship may be formed, even at the initial consultation. If, however, the attorney informs the potential client that they are providing information not to form this type of relationship and it should not be relied upon, the individual can consider it as a pitch for their services.
Legal pitches or similar types of comments are not considered to be legal advice. This means that it cannot be used to prove that an attorney-client relationship was formed.
Will My Legal Consultation Be Confidential?
Yes, a legal consultation is confidential, so an individual can be completely honest with the attorney during the meeting, as though attorney-client privilege had formed. This means that whether or not the individual decides to hire a lawyer, the information they share will still be treated as confidential.
This means that a potential client should tell the lawyer everything that they know about their issue, both good and bad, so that the lawyer can properly evaluate the case.
What Questions Should I Ask During a Lawyer Consultation?
As noted above, the topics discussed at a legal consultation will depend on the individual’s issue. There are some general questions an individual may want to ask during their legal consultation, such as information about the lawyer’s qualifications and background, the fee arrangement that will be used, and any specific questions they have regarding their case.
Are Lawyer Consultations Free?
There are some types of cases and situations in which attorneys will offer free consultations. In situations where the lawyer does not offer a free consultation, they will charge a consultation fee.
The cost of a consultation fee may vary depending on several factors, such as the issue being handled, the location of the lawyer, and their experience and knowledge. On average, the fee ranges between $50 and $250.
It is important to be aware that a consultation fee is different from a retainer fee, which is a fee paid to a lawyer in order to secure their services for a certain case or legal issue. Retainer fees are often higher than consultation fees and are intended to cover the attorney’s time and expenditures spent on the case.
Before an individual makes an initial consultation meeting, they should make sure to ask about the cost of the consultation so they can be prepared and make an educated choice for their needs.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a lawyer may vary greatly, as the cost will depend on several factors, for example:
- The area of law the lawyer practices;
- The areas of law that the claim involves;
- The level of experience of the lawyer;
- The lawyer’s reputation;
- The difficulty anticipated in resolving the case;
- The areas where the lawyer practices, as different cities and counties, have different cost averages; and
- The amount of time that is spent handling the lawsuit.
For example, a lawyer who represents a client in a personal injury case may range from $200 to $500 per hour and may require a retainer paid upfront of $1,000 to $2,000. If the lawyer handles the case using an hourly rate, the total may range between $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the time spent resolving the case.
If the attorney takes the case on a contingency fee basis, the client will not be charged an hourly rate. Instead, the lawyer will take a percentage of the settlement amount or damages award, which is often around 30% but may be more or less. For example, if the client settles their case for $100,000, $30,000 of that settlement will be used to pay the lawyer.
The percentage that the lawyer will take will be determined before the lawyer takes the case. In some cases, the percentage will increase if the case goes to trial, as the cost of handling the case will also increase.
Should I Contact an Attorney and Schedule a Legal Consultation?
If you think you may have a legal issue in Kansas, it is important to schedule a legal consultation with a local attorney in Kansas. A lawyer can review the facts, determine if you have a legal claim, and help you resolve your case.
If multiple lawyers in your area offer free consultations, you can meet with more than one attorney to find one with whom you are comfortable working. Your legal consultation will not fully resolve your issue but will provide you with a plan for going forward with your claim.
You can use LegalMatch to find the perfect lawyer to handle your legal issue online and at no cost to you. Simply enter the information about your issue into the website and you will receive responses from member lawyers.
You will usually get a response within 24 hours from lawyers who are ready to start working on your claim. You will be provided with fee information and will likely be able to schedule more than one free consultation if you would like to meet with multiple lawyers before deciding who you want to handle your legal issue with.
