Brief Consultation

We are aware that many people need to see a lawyer for quick advice. We are also aware that people need to conserve money.  Our brief consultations provide:

• Information that you want without waiting for weeks to see a lawyer
• Reasonable consultation fees, with no further obligation
• Evenings and weekends are often conveniently available

Just be sure to have all of your facts together, and have any necessary documents with you to keep the consultation as brief and productive as possible.

Remember that we cannot effectively help you until we know the nature of the problem.  Therefore, it is important that you have any DCF paperwork in your case.  If you have criminal or family court materials, or other relevant materials, please bring these also.

As much as possible, try to have a list of service providers in the case.  That can be social workers, therapists, clinicians, doctors, teachers, guidance counselors, etc.  It will usually be necessary for us to get this information, to help with your case.

Again, NEVER discuss the case with anyone, or sign anything, until you have met with your attorney.  Resist the temptation to convince others; that seldom works in real life.

The more information we have, the more we can help.

You CAN afford a brief consultation. We do these frequently in DCF and Juvenile Court work. If you already have a lawyer, we will consult as a second opinion if you wish.

Our goal is to help the client whenever possible.  Unfortunately, we are not able to offer free brief consultations.  With the volume of people who need DCF help, free consultations would create an endless line at the door, and it would be impossible to get the required work done correctly.

I recall a couple who came to me in early 2008.  Their lawyer had offered them a free initial consultation.  They drove 40 minutes to his office, stayed for a 10-minute free consultation, and then drove 40 minutes back home.  The "free consultation" consisted of the lawyer's statement that they should cooperate with DCF, that he would meet the couple at the next DCF home visit, and that he would charge them $800.00 for the privilege.  He had not asked for the case documents, had not read them and had no intention of reading them prior to the home visit; or even after the visit, so far as I can tell.  In other words, his free consultation was worth exactly that - nothing.

We do not take on work that we cannot do properly.  That includes document review.  Therefore, there must be a nominal charge for consultations.  We do our best to make these affordable.