At my firm we have a specific policy with respect to any new or potentially new family law files.
First, none of the family law lawyers at our firm take cold calls from the public. Anyone wanting to talk about a family law case has to make an appointment to see one of the lawyers.
Why don't we take phone calls from potential clients?
Every family law case is different and there are very few straight answers. The lawyer needs to find out all the facts and variables before answering big questions like, "Can I get sole custody?" "Will I have to pay spousal support?" "Is my farm land shareable?" Getting all the facts takes some time.
Also, sometimes the cold calls are from another lawyer's client looking for a second opinion. Or they may be from a client on the other side of an existing file in the office. Brandon is a small city, and a conflict check always has to be done before any advice is given.
Also, sometimes the cold calls are from another lawyer's client looking for a second opinion. Or they may be from a client on the other side of an existing file in the office. Brandon is a small city, and a conflict check always has to be done before any advice is given.
As well, there can be confusion if the caller phones several times with updates/new questions. At what point has the lawyer become their lawyer?
This is why we ask new clients to set up a meeting with us. For these first appointments, our firm offers what's called a Family Law Consultation and Analysis ("FLAC").
The appointment is made for an hour, which is generally enough time to discuss the case. The end of the discussion includes an idea of what retainer might be expected and idea of the cost of the case. At the conclusion of the meeting, the client can decide they don't want to take any further steps, and/or do but don't want to hire the specific lawyer. They can just pay the fee and leave, no problem. Or, the lawyer may indicate why the file may not be right for them and decline to open a file.
The FLAC appointment involves no commitment on either side. If the client decides to hire the lawyer, and the lawyer accepts, a file is open and the boundaries are clear.
To further add to the certainty of the process, there is a flat fee for a FLAC. When new client first calls, they are told the cost of the appointment. Again, this gives a nervous first-time client an idea of the cost of an appointment with a lawyer. No surprises, no need to check the time every five minutes and wonder how much this meeting is costing.
When making the appointment, the staff ensure they ask a few basic questions to make sure our office is not in a conflict of interest, there are no emergency issues and Manitoba is the correct jurisdiction. This keeps the clients from wasting their time.
To further add to the certainty of the process, there is a flat fee for a FLAC. When new client first calls, they are told the cost of the appointment. Again, this gives a nervous first-time client an idea of the cost of an appointment with a lawyer. No surprises, no need to check the time every five minutes and wonder how much this meeting is costing.
When making the appointment, the staff ensure they ask a few basic questions to make sure our office is not in a conflict of interest, there are no emergency issues and Manitoba is the correct jurisdiction. This keeps the clients from wasting their time.
The staff will also try to steer the new client to the best lawyer for their case - a more senior or a more junior lawyer, one who does family and other types of legal work, one who travels to an area office near them etc.
The FLAC appointment has proven popular, especially with people going through difficult times in their marriage. They may not want to take the big step of hiring a lawyer just yet, but they do want to know what would happen if they did end the marriage. These spouses can come in for information, pay the fee in cash and may never need to return.
The only downside to these FLAC appointments is that they're so popular there's quite a long wait for an appointment.
The FLAC appointment has proven popular, especially with people going through difficult times in their marriage. They may not want to take the big step of hiring a lawyer just yet, but they do want to know what would happen if they did end the marriage. These spouses can come in for information, pay the fee in cash and may never need to return.
The only downside to these FLAC appointments is that they're so popular there's quite a long wait for an appointment.
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