Meeting The Attorney: A Four-Part Checklist For The Initial Phone Consultation
When you call our firm to get help from a San Diego trust and probate litigation attorney, our receptionist/ intake specialist will gather basic information from you, then will schedule a free 30-minute initial phone consultation with an attorney.
What To Know About The Consultation:
Providing a checklist helps people prepare for their initial phone consultation making the meeting more manageable and less stressful. Our clients who complete the items on this to-do list find their phone consultation with the attorney is clearer and more productive than if they go in “blind.” You can expect that a 30-minute initial phone consultation will take the entire 30 minutes. Make sure to set aside enough time and be at a quiet place where you can concentrate on the call. You might want to have paper and pen handy in case you need to jot down notes or reminders.
Here is Your Checklist for Your Initial Phone Consultation:
- Documents: Gather any important papers relevant to your case in advance. Depending on the facts of your individual case, this could include wills, trusts, deeds, or bank statements. We have also seen cases where a handwritten note or letter is crucial evidence. Think about your case and what documents you will need to show your attorney. We will ask you to submit copies of these documents in advance of your consultation for the attorney to review.
- Dates: Dates of events are very critical in trust and probate law. Take the time to research and write down exact dates for anything relating to your case, such as hospitalizations, doctor visits, dates of death, purchase or sale of property, or the creation of a will or trust.
- People: You might feel silly, but take the time to sketch out the family tree. This is especially helpful in cases of blended families. Having it written out and in front of you will help you explain it clearly on the phone. This is important in helping the attorney determine who needs notifications and how the law is going to be applied to the situation by the court.
- Information: Take some time on our site reading articles and FAQs and watching our videos. Better yet, order a free copy of our books and resource documents by clicking here. If your phone consultation is scheduled for a short time from now, you can receive our book by instant download to begin looking through it right away.