Information
for prospective clients
How do I know if I need an
Attorney?
If you think you need an attorney, you probably do.
If you have been served with papers, see an attorney IMMEDIATELY.
If someone owes you money, or you have been injured, you have a limited amount of time to deal with those claims. It is wise to seek an attorney in those cases as well.
Even if you just need a simple will or power of attorney to be drawn up, you should probably seek the help of an attorney just to make sure you are dotting every legal "i" and crossing every legal "t." That's why we went to law school!
At the Senn law firm, we offer free initial consultations. It never hurts to ask if you need an attorney. We'd be happy to help you if we can.
Why do I need an attorney?
Can't I just use an online legal
documents site?
Let me answer that with another question. If you were going to buy a suit, and they gave you a "one size fits all" suit, and then sent you home with directions to tailor the suit yourself, would you feel like that was a good investment?
At some point, we all need legal help. A "one size fits all" solution from a legal document service may seem like a good idea when you look at the initial price tag, but as you and I know, you get what you pay for. I went to school to know the law, so that I can tailor my work to you, the client. That is something you just can't get from the legal document services you find online.
How much do you charge?
The amount we charge is based upon the type of case.
There are some services, like drafting a simple will, which can be billed at a flat rate which would be quoted to you after meeting with you and discussing the issues which need to be addressed.
There are other cases for which the attorney will bill by the hour. Typically, we will ask for a fee up-front which we hold in trust for you. The attorney will bill against that amount, and if there is anything left when the matter is handled, you get whatever money is left over. If the charges go over, then you are simply billed by the normal hourly rate.
In some other types of cases, such as a personal injury case, we may be able to take the case on a "contingency fee" basis. This means we would take a percentage of whatever money you recover from the suit. Typically the industry standard for these types of cases is between 33 and 45%.
Finally, if you are referred to our firm from another organization, we may have a special billing rate arranged with that organization.
I got a traffic ticket in
another state. Can you
still be my attorney?
Well, yes, and no.
I will be happy to talk to you about working as your attorney, but I am only licensed in the state of South Carolina.
If you recieved a DUI in Georgia, you will have to consult an attorney licensed in Georgia.
Why should I hire you
rather than someone who
focuses on just the issue I
have now?
That's a great question!
Do you go to a neurosurgeon every time you have a headache? Of course not! If you just need a simple prescription, you go to your family doctor. He handles everything from your sniffles to your sprained ankle, but you trust him to be able to handle those things. He's also smart enough to know that if something needs special expertise, he can send you to a specialist.
I would like to be the one you go to for your legal needs the same way you go to your family doctor for your health needs. There's just no reason for you to pay for a specialist when you can get the same result with better service from an attorney with whom you have a personal relationship. I'd be happy to talk to you about being your "family attorney".
I don't know if I can afford
a lawyer. Do you take
credit cards?
Sometimes it is difficult to save for emergencies or unexpected circumstances.
For this reason, we do accept VISA, MASTERCARD, & DISCOVER
