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CONSULTATIONS
From Alexandra’s interview for the Masters of Family Law series on ReelLawyers.com
The consultations that Atticus Family Law offers to potential clients are a practice arising from Abraham Lincoln’s statement, “A lawyer’s time and advice are his stock in trade.” The consultation is crafted to make sure that the client gets valuable information and witnesses the lawyer in action. Click here to schedule a consultation.
Compare Types of Consultations
Here is how our consultations work:
- During the consultation the client controls the agenda. The attorney hears out your concerns, asks questions, and reviews documents as well as gives you earnest legal advice based on the facts presented. In the consultation, real legal counseling is performed – under this model the attorney does not tell the potential client just what the client wants to hear, does not “sell” the client, and does not try to impress with legalese or law knowledge. Rather the consultation permits the attorney to demonstrate to the client how they practice law, spot issues, analyze facts and communicate with the client.
- There is a fee for the consultation. This payment ensures that attorney’s time is respected, and it alleviates the pressure for the attorney to convince the client to retain the firm. The client recognizes a greater net gain from a paid consultation than a “no cost consultation” – the client truly gets what they pay for.
- Client gets a reduced retainer towards any future work. The advantage for the client is that if the client needs further legal services for their concern, the fee is credited towards their retainer. In the end either the client has the answers they need (and goes off without any further contact with the firm) or they have a lawyer who has started to get to know them & their case facts, who has demonstrated their lawyering style, and who’s services the client can retain for a discounted fee.
- The consultation is amongst the potential client, whomever the client also wants there, and the AFL attorney.This permits the potential client to have with them the people they need to understand the advice, ask needed questions, and help them remember it afterwards. For some matters, a 2-hour consultation will be needed but 1 hour usually suffices.
- The firm’s consultation includes follow-up questions that arise in the days afterwards. In our experience the client inevitably thinks of some other questions and/or talks with someone who has other relevant, important questions. This model makes sure ALL of the client’s questions are answered.
The quality of the firm’s legal consultations offered to potential clients can be attributed to this nation’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. If you would like to schedule a consultation, be it to get your questions answered or get to know the firm for legal representation, please click here.
FEES
How You Will be Charged for our Services
Atticus Family Law charges on an hourly basis. We use a written fee agreement to set the hourly rates for our work.
As work is completed and billed to you the earned funds are transferred from a trust account to our firm’s account. Upon completion of our firm’s work any remaining retainer funds in the trust account are returned to you. Retainer payments can be paid with cash, a personal check, a bank or cashier’s check, or a credit card or debit card.
FACE TO FACE MEETINGS
We have several opportunities for face-to-face meetings with our clients, both in-person and online.
It’s helpful if you write down your questions before the meeting. That way, you can ensure all of your questions and concerned are addressed.
Our attorneys and staff meet with clients at each of our three office locations. The Stillwater and Saint Paul offices are staffed from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday; the Minneapolis office is by appointment only.
ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCING
Many times, it is crucial that we have an important discussion but there are complications. It’s clear that meeting face-to-face is better for the discussion than talking on the telephone, but the availability and logistics make an in-person meeting difficult or impossible. Hence we offer our clients online video conferencing through Zoom and video chat. The information necessary to access your meeting will be provided prior to your appointment.
For those people interested in our legal services, we schedule in-person face-to-face meetings. When those people live abroad or outside of Minnesota (or they have very particular other circumstances) we will schedule an online consultation with them.
Personal Perspective From An Atticus Family Law Attorney
How To Choose The Best Divorce Attorney
When deciding between several attorneys to represent you, an effective strategy is to ask each attorney the same questions and compare their answers. Here are some potential questions that may guide your decision.
- Which attorney will be working with me, and what is his or her education and experience level?
- Has your firm recently handled cases like mine?
- How much do your services typically cost, and what is included in this price?
- How do you keep your clients updated regarding costs and the status of their case?
- What are your policies regarding payments, phone calls, documenting correspondence, and keeping clients updated on their cases’ progress?
- Is there a waiting period for follow-up appointments?
- What hours are you available on the telephone and in the office?
- Are my desired results feasible?
- What potential problems do you identify, and how will you overcome them?
- What is your strategy for my case, and how long until I get the results I want?
- How frequently do you go to court, and how do you choose between litigation or settling a case?
What You Should Share With Your Attorney
Be prepared to gather and share the following info:
- Is there an existing case? What is the court file number?
- Does the court have any scheduled hearings that are still pending?
- Can you bring a copy of your order or decree if you already have one in place?
- Who is representing the opposing party, and how have they interacted with you until now?
There is some information your attorney will likely want to know. Your attorney will really want to understand the dynamics and background of what has been going on with your family. For instance:
- What problems are you handling right now, and who is exacerbating them?
- Is your spouse creating issues for your children?
- What ages are the children, and how do they perceive the situation?
- What about your situation do you find distressing?
- How would you describe your envisioned results?
- How do you imagine your life will change in the next 18 months?
- Where do you live, and what is your career?
- What does your relationship with your children look like?
Payment Considerations
Your attorney should try to accommodate your needs and budget, which allows them to create an appropriate solution.
- Are there specific parameters or payment terms that you are looking for?
- Are there other deadlines we need to address, such as paying back a loan?
– Matt Ludt
Want To Get A Head Start?
Download these guides to get a leg up in securing a fair outcome in your family law case.
Testimonials
Satisfied Client Reviews
Debra W.
You can count on the excellent and dedicated team at Atticus Family Law to handle your divorce or custody matter superbly. I highly recommend.
Steven C.
I have confidence in Matt's skill as a family law attorney and have referred many people to him over the years. He has always treated them professionally and done excellent work for them.
Stacey S.
I love Atticus and recommend them to anyone in a difficult situation. They are there for you and your family.
Ron L.
Alexandra Reynolds is an outstanding attorney and she did an incredible job handling my case. She applied the little tested Cohabitation Law to my alimony appeal and she nailed it. Her knowledge of the law and her professionalism
Mike M.
The worst thing I have ever experienced in my life, my divorce, felt like a never-ending maze of financial and emotional torment. Alexandra Reynolds was there to guide me through the process. Her ability to break things down
Laura L
Alexandra and the entire team at Atticus Family Law have been nothing short of amazing during what is no doubt one of the most challenging times to navigate! Her incredibly poised and professional approach with opposing counsel and
Jeff M.
I'd like to say that Alexandra Renyalds is an extremely outstanding Family Attorney. She not only found new ways to look at my case. But was able to get on it right away. And when I needed her
Frosty L.
I cannot overstate how happy my family has been with service from Alexandra Reynolds, Tiffani Richardson, and everyone at Atticus Family Law. From an initial inquiry with Missy Olson (so friendly, attentive and helpful) to our hired counsel,
Dylan M.
Ms.Reynolds was able to jump into an ongoing case and pick up without missing a beat and we were able to get the desired outcome, as well was really helpful with any questions or concerns that I had.
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