Advice on Working With an Elder Law Attorney
Your experience when working with one of our members or any other elder law attorney
will be much better if your expectations and the attorney’s
are in harmony. While no two attorneys and no two clients are
alike, here are a few pointers that should improve the chances
for a positive experience all around.
What to Expect From Your Attorney
First, you have a right to expect a quick response to your
telephone calls, e-mails, faxes and letters from the attorney
or his or her staff. This doesn’t mean that the attorney
will necessarily drop the work he or she is doing for other
clients to take your call, but you should get a call back
by the end of the following workday. Second, you should expect
a high level of legal advice and energetic representation.
The attorney cannot always guarantee the result, but she should
use all of her expertise, experience and energy on your behalf.
Third, you should expect a clear statement of the attorney’s
fees. They may be flat fee, hourly or contingent. But whatever
you and the attorney agree on should be clear to you. If it
isn’t, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What Not to Expect From Your Attorney
First, don’t expect free advice. Especially in the
field of elder law, much of the value of what the attorney
will provide is his advice. While many attorneys, especially
in the field of personal injury, offer a free consultation,
most elder law attorneys do not. This is because that first
meeting can provide you with most of the information that
you need. Not to pay for what may save you and your family
tens of thousands of dollars shortchanges the attorney (as
well as his staff and family). Second, don’t expect
the attorney to know all of the answers off the top of his
head. It’s the attorney’s job to get you the right
answers. This may take some research.
What the Attorney Should Expect From You
First, the attorney needs accurate and complete information
about you and your family and their circumstances in order
to competently represent you and give you proper advice.
Second, you need to respond promptly to the attorney or her
staff during the course of the representation if they have
questions that need to be answered.
Third, the attorney has the right to be paid promptly.
Fourth, if you have any questions about the work being done
for you or the charges for that work, you need to contact
the attorney.
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