If you are contacting a family law attorney for the first time, your head is probably swimming with questions and concerns. We want to take some time to prepare you for what to expect at your first meeting with us.

 

To begin, most people we meet with likely have never hired a family law attorney. We understand that you are coming to us at a difficult time and that what you are telling us is intimate. We promise to treat what you tell us with the respect it deserves and to keep it confidential. We will not judge you. As your lawyer, we cannot change what happened before you came to us.

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YOUR GOALS 

 

One of the first things we will do is ask you to tell us your goals. Your answer helps us learn more about you and sets the tone for our meeting and the advice we will give you. Then, we will ask questions to elicit important background information from you. We want to know about your family, your finances, and, if it is a divorce, what assets you have. It sometimes helps to have pay stubs, tax returns, or a list of your monthly expenses on hand for the meeting.

 

YOUR STORY

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We want to hear your story. We need you to be completely honest with us about what happened to bring you to the point where you feel you need to hire an attorney.  After hearing your story, we can explain how Maryland family law applies to the specific facts of your case. We can provide you with information explaining the case process and what factors are considered in cases where there is a request for alimony, child support, and/or custody. You are welcome to take notes during the meeting and, depending on the issues, we may provide you with resources to use as a follow-up after our meeting. 

 

OUR STRATEGY

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Once we understand your goals, your background, and your story, we can talk about a strategy for moving forward. We will give you multiple options to choose from, and can help weigh the pros and cons of each option. You can ask us a lot of questions. No question is silly, and we will answer all of your questions honestly. You are welcome to ask us about our experience and qualifications.

 

Finally, we will talk to you about what it will cost to retain our services going forward. While we cannot provide you with a precise fee for the entire process, we will ensure that you understand and are kept apprised of billing throughout our work together.

 

Our goal for all first client meetings is that you leave with a better understanding of the law, process, strategy, and expenses. Hiring a family law attorney is never a fun experience, but it does not have to be a terrible one either. Finding the right attorney sets the tone for your case and gets you one step closer to your goals.

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PAYMENT FOR CONSULTATION

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We charge for all consultations. Consultations typically take between 1-1.5 hours. Payment is due prior to the consultation.

 

Our office accepts Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, and Discover credit cards, electronic and regular checks, and money orders as payment for consultations and retainers. 

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