What Does It Mean When A Lawyer Offers a “Free Consultation?”
Today when you are searching for a lawyer online you will see that their website mentions a “free consultation.” Like anyone else, lawyers only have so much time in a day and they are trying to make a living. But often you will see the offer for a free consultation, which is not just for you but also for the attorney.
What does a free consultation mean?
A free legal consultation means a lawyer will sit down with you, listen to your issue, and give you some initial thoughts as to how they would approach your case. This type of consultation allows you the opportunity to interview the lawyer you are considering. But a consultation also allows an attorney the ability to see if your case will work for their schedule and their expertise. Typically, there are no obligations to a consultation, for either party.
What will not come from a free consultation?
It is not likely that you will walk away from a free consultation with a full case plan. The consultation is just to break the ground and see if the case and the attorney are a match. The consultation is not a commitment and not a guarantee of representation. Lawyers typically charge by the hour, flat fee, or contingent fee. The consultation is free, but that is not an agreement for free representation throughout the duration of your case. Legal advice. Attorneys will not often give legal advice for free. Their advice is a valuable commodity and they should be compensated as such.
Why you should not pursue a free consultation
Free consultations should not be used for price shopping. Many attorneys have stopped offering free consultations because of price shoppers. A free consultation should not be part of a strategy to create conflicts of interest for the attorney. And consultations are not for trivial matters that you never intend to pursue legally.
Time is money for everyone. If you have a serious issue that you would like to consider legal representation on, a free consultation can assist you in finding the right representation for you and your circumstances.