Consultations: Frequently Asked Questions

1. I just want to ask some questions by phone. Do you offer this option?
2. How can I be sure you handle my type of case?
3. How do I make an appointment?
4. How long is an office consultation?
5. What should I bring to an office consultation?
6. What happens during an office consultation?
7. What are possible outcomes of an office consultation?
8. Is there a fee for an office consultation?
9. If I become a client, what payment options will I have? Can someone else pay my attorney’s fees?
10. Can I bring someone with me to my consultation?
11. What about parking?

1. I just want to ask some questions by phone. Do you offer this option?

We offer a free preliminary phone consultation.  During the phone consultation, the attorney will ask questions about your situation to determine if she is able to help.

The attorney must review all documents related to your situation and also research the legal issues presented before she can give you legal advice.  This means she is not able to give specific legal advice during the phone consultation.

2. How can I be sure you handle my type of case?

Our practice areas / services are listed on the home page of our website.

If your case does not fit one of the listed categories, please feel free to call us and ask whether we handle your type of case.

3. How do I schedule an office consultation?

Please call (202) 470-2727 or (301) 637-0109.

After you make an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with forms you should fill out and bring with you to your consultation. There are also directions to our office and information about what to expect at your appointment.

VERY IMPORTANT:  If you do not receive this confirmation email, please contact our office immediately.

4. How long is the office consultation?

A regular office consultation lasts 50 minutes.

Bankruptcy intake consultations last 1.5 – 2 hours.

5. What should I bring to an office consultation?

Please bring a completed consultation intake form. You will receive the form as an attachment to your appointment confirmation email.

If your matter involves court documents, please bring them with you.

If your matter involves a credit reporting issue, please bring recent copies of your TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax credit reports.

Please get the reports directly from the bureaus; reports ordered from third-party providers are often inaccurate or out-of-date.  See this link for information about ordering free credit reports.

If your matter involves a creditor, please bring your most recent statements from the creditor.

If your matter involves bankruptcy, please bring as many documents as you can from the list at this link.  Please click here for the list.

After meeting with you, the attorney will be able to give you a specific list of additional documents she would need in order to proceed.

6. What happens during an office consultation?

During the consultation:

1. You will tell the attorney about your legal situation,
2. The attorney will ask questions to help her understand your situation,
3. The attorney will give you as much general legal information as possible,
4. You will decide if you want to hire the attorney, and
5. The attorney will determine if she is able to take your case.

7. What are possible outcomes of a consultation?

1. You and the attorney mutually agree to the terms of representation and you both execute a separate document called an Agreement for Representation, OR
2. The attorney asks you to gather additional information and forward it to her, OR
3. You decide not to use the services of the attorney, OR
4. The attorney declines the representation.

8. Is there a fee for a consultation?

We offer a free preliminary phone consultation, described above.

For non-bankruptcy matters, there is a $100.00 charge for an office consultation (50 minutes.)

Because many of our clients eventually file bankruptcy, we are unable to accept credit card or debit card payments for consultations.

Please see this link for more information about billing.

9. If I become a client, what payment options will I have? Can someone else pay my fees?

Please see this link for more information about payment of fees.

10. Can I bring someone with me to my consultation?

Generally, no third parties may participate in your consultation with the attorney. Your consultation must be kept strictly confidential. Friends and family members are welcome to use our waiting area, which includes a kitchen and TV with cable.

11. What about parking?

Please use this link for maps, directions, metro information, and parking information.

*PLEASE NOTE: We are required to tell you that the attorney does not represent you until you execute a Representation Agreement.

Please feel free to call our office at 202-470-2727 with any questions not addressed above.