Your Family Law Consultation in Maryland: What to Expect
Your first visit to our Maryland family law offices will be a consultation. You’ll start the process by calling my office, or by requesting a consultation using the contact tab on this website. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll meet by Zoom for up to 45 minutes for a flat fee of $150.00. You’ll have a chance to explain your whole situation. That’s important for both of us, so I’ll know how to advise you. Then you’ll be able to ask questions and consider your options.
Having a consultation does not automatically mean that I am your lawyer. If you would like me to represent you, you can refer to me as your attorney once you sign a fee agreement and provide your retainer, if yours is a case where a retainer is required. (Some work is billed on a flat fee basis and you’ll need to pay that fee to start representation.) I’ll hold your retainer funds in my trust account, and I’ll send you bills monthly by email so you can see the work I’ve done and keep track of how much of your retainer I’ve used. Sometimes the case will be completed and you’ll still have money left in trust. I’ll refund that (see below). Other times, I’ll ask you to refresh your retainer funds while representation is ongoing.
During your case, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Once you’ve retained me, it is usually easiest for us to communicate by email. If you prefer the phone, I’ll make every effort to return your call in 48 hours.
Representation is concluded when:
- Your QDRO is approved by the plan administrator
- A final judgment (or perhaps a signed agreement) is received
- You sign and receive your estate planning documents
- You receive an opinion from the appeals court
When any of these things happen, I’ll provide you copies of your final documents with a letter noting the conclusion of representation and the status of your fee balance. If you have funds remaining in trust, I’ll refund them on the next billing cycle. I’ll also purge my file and shred documents about 90 days later, so if there are any original documents you’d like returned to you, please let me know. You should also be aware that the Court will terminate my appearance as your attorney in their system 30 days after any final order is filed; after that I will not receive notices of any renewed litigation unless you contact me.