A legal consultation in Minnesota, as in other states, is a first-time meeting between a lawyer and a potential client that allows the client to share information about their legal issue and the lawyer to determine if they will be able to represent them. Having a consultation does not mean that the lawyer has agreed to take the client’s case or that the client has hired the lawyer. It is akin to an interview, where the two parties decide if they will be a good fit for one another.
Potential clients should note that if they do decide to hire the lawyer, they will most likely be asked to sign a written representation agreement. Before a potential client attends their legal consultation, they should gather any documents or items that they think may be important to their claim.
It is much better to bring too much information or information that is not actually relevant than to omit to bring something that is important to the case. The attorney will review the information and determine whether it should be used in the case.
Examples of the types of documents that individuals should bring to their consultation include, but are not limited to:
- Employment records: For an employment issue, an individual should bring all of their employment records;
- Contracts: For a contract dispute, an individual should bring a copy of the contract and any documents related to the contract;
- Property deeds: For a property dispute, an individual should be sure to bring a copy of the deed and documents that relate to the property;
- Police or accident reports: For incidents or accidents, an individual should bring any police or accident reports that resulted from the incident or accident they were involved in;
- Other documents evidencing damages: Evidence of damages may be shown by medical records, expense receipts, warranties, or correspondence with by the party the individual is trying to sue.
What Will Be Discussed at a Legal Consultation?
When an individual discusses their legal consultation, it will depend entirely on their legal question or concern. There are some general issues that are usually addressed at consultations, such as the potential cost of representation, the type of fees the attorney charges, and information about the individual’s legal concerns.
An individual should ask the attorney what legal fee arrangement they use to charge their clients, which may include:
A potential client may be provided with some legal advice during their consultation. This type of advice is provided by a licensed lawyer.
If the lawyer does provide the potential client with legal advice, an implied attorney-client relationship may have been formed, even during the consultation. However, the lawyer may tell the potential client that the advice they are providing is not intended to form a lawyer-client relationship or that it should not be relied upon. In that case, the information should be treated as a legal pitch for the lawyer’s services instead of legal advice.
An individual should not be shy about sharing all of the information surrounding their issue. Lawyers have experience with many different types of issues and cases and will not be judgmental about the individual’s conduct.
It is essential for a potential client to share everything, as the other side may find out information the individual’s lawyer does not know and use it against them or paint them in a negative light in front of a judge or jury. For example, in a divorce case, the conduct of a spouse may be presented in a certain way to demonstrate why they should not have custody or visitation of their children.
If their lawyer is already aware of the potentially harmful conduct, they can address the issue head-on and explain why it would not affect their client’s ability to raise their children.
Will My Legal Consultation Be Confidential?
Potential clients can be honest with the attorney handling their consultation because these meetings are confidential. This means anything discussed between the parties will not be shared with others.
Even if a formal attorney-client relationship is not formed at the consultation, everything said during the meeting will be treated as though attorney-client privilege had formed. This means that potential clients can share any information they have with the attorney, whether they believe it will harm or help their case, so the lawyer can fully evaluate the issues involved.
What Questions Should I Ask During a Lawyer Consultation?
There are many different questions that an individual may want to ask during their consultation. It may be helpful to make a written list to take to the meeting so nothing is overlooked.
There are also general questions that an individual should ask, such as:
- The attorney’s background and qualifications;
- The fee schedule the lawyer will use;
- What exactly the fees paid will cover;
- Any specific questions they have about their case.
An initial consultation provides both the attorney and the potential client with the opportunity to determine whether the attorney will be a good fit for their potential client’s needs and budget.
Are Lawyer Consultations Free?
There are lawyers who offer free attorney consultations, especially in certain types of cases, such as personal injury cases. It is important to be aware that some lawyers do charge consultation fees.
It is important for an individual to ask before they go to their consultation whether or not they will be required to pay for it. The consultation often lasts between thirty minutes and one hour.
Typically, if a lawyer charges a consultation fee, it will be somewhere between $50 and $250, depending on the attorney’s experience and the complexity of the case.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an attorney in Minnesota will vary depending on several factors, such as:
- The location of the case, lawyer, or law firm
- The fee structure used;
- The lawyer’s special training and experience, if applicable
On average, a Minnesota lawyer charges between $150 and $450, with an average of $275. It is also important to note that a lawyer working in a small town or smaller law firm may charge less than a lawyer working in a large city or larger law firm.
If an individual does decide to hire an attorney following their initial consultation, they should enter into a written fee agreement that outlines what they will be charged, what those fees will cover, and any other important issues related to their case.
Should I Contact an Attorney and Schedule a Legal Consultation?
If you have a legal concern in Minnesota, it is essential to consult with a local attorney in Minnesota as soon as you can. An attorney can evaluate your potential issue and, if you choose to hire them, represent you throughout the resolution of your case.
LegalMatch provides a database of member attorneys in your area who are ready to begin working on your issue. You may be able to have several consultations free of charge to determine the lawyer that you prefer to hire.
The initial consultation will not provide a complete resolution of your problem, but can give you an idea of how to proceed and what the potential remedies may be. It is a great first step towards the resolution of your issue.
