What are the Benefits of an Initial Consultation with a Solicitor?

Many law firms offer an initial consultation with new clients for a reduced fee, but it can be difficult for people to know when to seek legal advice. We would always recommend that you seek legal advice at an early stage if possible, as it can be of great benefit for a number of reasons.

These benefits are wide ranging and while they will depend on the type of dispute and the particular circumstances of each individual case, the general advantages of talking to a solicitor at an early stage include the following:

• Gaining a better understanding of your legal position in terms of rights (e.g. occupation of the family home or contact issues in relation to children)
• Gaining a better understanding of the risks of taking certain actions and what impact this could have in any subsequent proceedings (e.g. vacating the family home or suspending contact with children).
• Seeking advice and reassurance on key issues that are concerning you.
• Obtaining advice about the best way of addressing issues with your partner and keeping matters amicable. This can assist in resolving matters at an early stage rather than allowing them to escalate into a more serious dispute with the additional costs this can cause.
• Obtaining advice on the Court’s approach to such disputes and broadly what your entitlement may be in any settlement. This may assist in trying to resolve matters by agreement.
• Gaining a better understanding of the Court procedure if matters cannot be resolved by agreement and the potential costs of such proceedings.
• Being made aware of alternatives to Court proceedings such as mediation, arbitration or collaborative law.
• Peace of mind – often when a relationship breaks down or there is some other family dispute, one the of main causes of distress is the uncertainty of what will happen next. By seeking initial advice, you can arm yourself with a better understanding of your legal position leaving you better placed to plan for the future.
• They are good value. A substantial amount of information can be gained for a relatively low price. There is also no obligation to instruct a firm following such a consultation.

As initial consultations usually last up to 1 hour, it will not be sufficient time to get into the fine detail. You should, however, come away with a broad idea of your options; the Court’s approach to such matters; how to go about trying to resolve matters amicably, as well as having any specific concerns addressed.

At Tisshaws Family Law Solicitors we offer an initial consultation of up to 1 hour, for a fixed fee of £50 inclusive of VAT.