Often times, we get asked what is the difference between a consultation and actually hiring an attorney. A consultation is when an attorney will review your claim with you and will explain the strong and weak points of your case. They may need some additional information or may have to do research in order to give you a competent assessment, especially if there are multiple legal issues or your claim is complex. During a consultation, you have not actually hired an attorney, you have just sought advice. But do not feel as though your dealings are not confidential as there are rules from the Florida Bar that govern your discussions during the consultation.
When you hire a lawyer, an agreement is typically executed. The agreement will lay out the terms of the dealings between you and your attorney such as the fee charged and the extent of the representation. The attorney is now expected to take legal action and must advocate, to their best of their ability, on your behalf. You are entitled to have your questions answered, your concerns addressed, and to be updated on the status of your case once you hire an attorney to represent you.
But, the question often becomes, "why would I still consider scheduling a consultation with an attorney if I am not sure if I want to hire one?" The best answer: knowledge. You owe it to yourself to be properly informed about your claim so you can recover whatever it is that you may be looking for. It is important to know if you potentially have a case or you should abandon your position. There may be, and is often, issues and arguments that a person may not be aware of that can put them in a better position to successfully execute their claim. There may also be strong arguments against your case. You should be informed on both sides.
Our advice: When in doubt, get a consultation! There are plenty of firms that offer free consultations where you can pick a lawyer’s brain without having to incur a cost. The Nicoletti Law Firm, for example, has offered a FREE consultation since the day we opened because it is important to us that the people of the communities that we serve are educated about their claim. We want to make sure that you have the knowledge needed to recover the compensation you deserve even if decide not to hire us. You deserve answers and we want to provide them. Call us today for a FREE consultation at (727) 845-5972. We look forward to being able to provide you the knowledge you deserve!
Nicolette R. Nicoletti
Managing Partner
Nicolette R. Nicoletti is the founder and managing partner of the Nicoletti Accident Injury Lawyers. She was born and raised in New Port Richey, Florida. Nicolette attended Genesis Preparatory School and graduated salutatorian of her class. She then went onto Saint Leo University for her undergraduate education. She graduated magna cum laude from the Honors Program with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. While at Saint Leo University, Nicolette was President of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society), Secretary of Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society), and an active member of Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Scholastic Honor Society).
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