Legal consultations in Maine are meetings with lawyers that potential clients attend before they decide whether or not to hire a lawyer to help them. During this meeting, the attorney will also be evaluating whether they will be able to represent the potential client.
If potential clients hire a lawyer, they usually sign a representation agreement. Prior to consulting with an attorney, a potential client should prepare for the meeting by getting together anything that may be important to the case.
For example, if an individual has a case that involves estate planning, such as creating their will, they should bring:
- A list of their assets and debts;
- Individuals whom they would like to inherit their property;
- Any other issues that may be important to their wishes, such as information about charities.
Other general examples of documents that a potential client should bring to their legal consultation may include:
- Property deeds;
- Employment records;
- Police or accident reports;
- Other documents that show the damages the individual incurred.
What Will Be Discussed at a Legal Consultation?
The topics that will be discussed during the legal consultation will depend on the concerns or issues the potential client is having. As a general rule, the parties will discuss the individual’s issue as well as the fee schedule the attorney uses, such as a contingency fee, a flat fee, or an hourly fee basis.
During this initial consultation, the attorney may provide the potential client with legal advice. It is important to be aware, however, that the information relayed during these meetings is typically intended to be a pitch for the attorney’s services and not legal advice that forms an attorney-client relationship.
Will My Legal Consultation Be Confidential?
Legal consultations are treated as confidential, which means that potential clients can be honest with their lawyers during these meetings, as the information shared will be treated as though an attorney-client privilege had been formed. In other words, even if the individual does not hire that attorney, the information they share will still be confidential.
What Are Some Questions to Ask During a Lawyer Consultation?
As discussed above, what the individuals talk about during the legal consultation will depend on the issue the individual is having. There are, however, many general questions that an individual may want to ask the lawyer, such as:
- What type of experience they have with similar cases;
- Where the attorney attended law school;
- How long has the lawyer been practicing in Maine;
- What types of cases they usually handle;
- Whether they can share any client testimonials;
- The strategy for the case;
- The alternatives to going to court;
- The percentage of cases where the attorney settled outside of court;
- Whether the lawyer will prepare the case for court even if they plan to settle the case outside of court;
- The possible outcomes;
- The fee structure; and
- Whether there will be any additional costs.
Are Lawyer Consultations Free?
There are certain types of cases in which a lawyer will offer free consultations, such as cases paid by contingency fee. When a lawyer does not offer clients free consultations, they will charge what is called a consultation fee.
The consultation fee cost can vary depending on numerous different factors, for example, the individual’s issue, the location of the case, and the lawyer’s knowledge and experience. Consultation fees, on average, will typically range between $50 and $250.
It is important for potential clients to be aware that consultation fees are not the same as retainer fees. Retainer fees are fees that are paid to attorneys to secure their services for a certain legal issue or to complete their case.
In most cases, retainer fees are higher than consultation fees, as they are intended to cover the lawyer’s time and expenditures they spend on the case. Before a potential client attends their initial consultation, they should ask the lawyer whether or not they will be charged a fee for the meeting so they can decide whether or not to consult with that lawyer.
Should a Fee Agreement Be in Writing?
Any time an individual enters into a fee agreement with a lawyer, it should be in writing and signed by both parties. This agreement will outline the costs for representation, the parameters of the representation, and any other important issues related to the case.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
The cost of an attorney in the State of Maine can differ depending on many different factors, such as:
- What area of law the attorney practices;
- What areas of law the individual’s claim involves;
- The attorney’s level of experience;
- Their reputation;
- How difficult it may be to resolve the case;
- The location where the attorney practices because different cities and counties may have different cost averages; and
- The amount of time that is spent handling the legal issue.
It may be helpful to review an example to understand the difference between these two types of fees. Suppose an attorney represents a client on an hourly basis in a case, and they charge $200 to $500 per hour.
This attorney may require a retainer fee up front of $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the time they anticipate spending on the case. If the lawyer took the case on a contingency fee basis, the client will not be charged an hourly rate.
Instead, the attorney will take a percentage of the damages award or settlement amount, if the case settles outside of court. Usually, this amount is around 30% but may be more or less depending on the agreement between the parties.
Additionally, the percentage may increase if the case proceeds to trial because the cost of resolving the case also increases. For example, if the parties agree to a 30% fee and the client is awarded $150,000, the attorney will make $45,000.
It is also important for a potential client to be aware that they may be responsible for fees along the way, such as administrative or court fees. Potential clients should ask the lawyer exactly what they will be responsible for covering.
Should I Contact an Attorney and Schedule a Legal Consultation?
If you have a legal issue, question, or concern in Maine, you should schedule a legal consultation with a local attorney in Maine. An attorney can review your issue, advise you whether or not you have a legal claim, and help you resolve your case.
If there is more than one lawyer in your area who offers free initial consultations, you can have meetings with multiple lawyers and determine who best fits your needs. Having these legal consultations will not fully resolve your legal issue but will help you create a plan to go forward to resolve your claim.
LegalMatch is an excellent way to find the best attorney to handle your legal issue. You can submit your claim online for free and receive responses from member attorneys ready to help within about 24 hours.
These responses will provide contact information, background information, and fee information, which can help you determine who may best be suited to work with. If you determine that multiple lawyers offer free consultations, feel free to have meetings with as many as you need before you find the right attorney for you.
