You want to be prepared for a meeting with your attorney so you can understand what needs to be taken care of, what you should be informed about and how your needs can be met. Your attorney is there to help you, and it is important to feel secure in your knowledge and their expertise and understanding of your needs.

Here are the top ten things you should know, do, or think about before you meet with your attorney: 

1. Be informed—your attorney will brief you on what you need to know about your case, but it would be beneficial to you to research similar cases and understand what your chances are for earning money and potential outcomes of your case. This way you can ask the right questions.

2. Know your time limit—knowing how long you have to file the lawsuit and the time it will take to process is important so you know the immediacy of action. For example, in a car accident, you generally have three years from the incident to start a lawsuit, but you only have 30 days file the claim with your insurance provider for medical bills. If you wait and don’t act immediately, a lawsuit may not be possible. Be informed on time restrictions.

3. Make sure you are comfortable with your attorney—the first meeting can also be like a first date…it is important to feel comfortable. Look at the attorney’s office and notice things about them like organization or confidence. Make sure they explain things in a way you can understand and remember to be honest with your feelings, this is your case. Starting off feeling comfortable only makes the process that much easier.

4. Evaluate the practice—research and learn about the size and makeup of the firm or organization your lawyer is a part of. Are there partners? Is it a large law firm or a solo practitioner?  Will you be working with one lawyer or multiple counsels? Know where you are taking your business.

5. Check for background information—does the lawyer have personal brochures or a Web site bio you can check out before you go in? Look to see what information they provide. Knowing who you’re working with directly makes you informed before you even walk in the door.

6. Ask about fees upfront—prepare yourself for costs. If the attorney accepts your case, they will have you sign a retainer agreement which sets out in detail the terms of the fee arrangements. Different types of cases result in different fee amounts. Don’t be afraid to ask.

7. Ask about experience—knowing what they have done can show you what they can do for you. Don’t just ask how long the attorney has been in practice, but how long they have dealt with cases similar to yours. Similar cases can’t give you exact results but can advise you about what needs to be done.

8. Ask about similar cases—if your attorney has never handled a case like yours, it doesn’t necessarily mean he or she can’t handle it. They can learn about what needs to be done, but remember, this could be your only chance to try your case, so if you doubt their competency, you may want to look elsewhere. The choice is up to you but carefully think about the risks of your attorney.

9. Prepare questions—having a list of questions or concerns will make you feel more informed and comfortable with your attorney. Don’t have too many, but prepare yourself.

10. Rethink your priorities—while an attorney is a great asset to many decisions you make, it is important to make sure your case is feasible and you have a good chance at receiving compensation. Don’t waste your time or your attorney’s time with unnecessary claims.