Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We're here to help answer your questions. Judicial matters can be complicated, and our experts are on hand to help inform you of every aspect of your topic. We take great pride in using our expertise for you and look forward to hearing from you.
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1. How do you bill for your legal services?
The nature of a case determines how our fees are structured. Law firms traditionally bill clients hourly for services they provide to clients. While some instances call for hourly billing, The Hunter Law Firm believes this method can sometimes be inefficient and does not accommodate every client's needs when it comes to finding the right law firm. As a result, we have adopted a more modern approach by charging flat fees designed to consider the amount of work needed to resolve your legal problem and provide you peace of mind on how much it will cost to hire our firm. We also accept certain civil cases on a contingency basis, which means our fees are contingent upon whether we can obtain a recovery for you. With the contingency billing method, our clients do not pay any upfront fees, and they are not responsible for paying any fees unless we secure a recovery in their case.
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2. What should I bring to the consultation or first meeting?
We recommend that you have a copy of your driver's license, medical insurance cards, and any documents pertaining to your legal problem. Because we are a virtual law firm, having physical copies is not necessary for a consultation. We strive to have a completely paperless filing system; therefore, electronic documents (i.e., scanned copies or photographs) are perfectly fine for consultations and initial meetings.
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3. What is the typical legal process like?
The formal legal process starts with filing a complaint and serving that complaint and a summons on the defendant(s). Once that is done, the defendant(s) will usually respond to your complaint with an answer explaining their position. After the defendant(s) respond, each party will engage in discovery, a legal term for a fact-finding process lawyers use to develop their case. If the parties do not agree to a settlement during the discovery period, they will begin preparing for a trial on the matter. However, it is important to note that many cases are settled without a lawsuit ever being filed. The Hunter Law Firm makes every effort to settle your case outside of court, which saves you time, money, and the stress of litigation.
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4. What types of cases does your law firm handle?
We are a full-service law firm that primarily practices in the areas of accident and injury law, criminal defense, wills and estate planning, and other general civil matters. We also assist clients with starting businesses, which includes filing and drafting the appropriate legal documents and offering business management consulting services. Contact us today for more information about how we can help with your specific legal problem.
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5. Will I have to go to court?
Whether you will have to go to court will depend on the nature of your case. We try to avoid interrupting your daily life with constant court appearances, so we make sure we communicate with our clients about when they are required to appear in court and when it is discretionary.
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6. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
The nature of your case and where it is filed will determine how long you have to file a lawsuit. Each state has a statute of limitations ("SOL") that dictate how long a claimant has to file a lawsuit. We encourage anyone to contact an attorney about their legal issue to become aware of any SOLs before their claim(s) is time-barred.
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7. Who can bring a case on behalf of a deceased family member?
A legal representative can be appointed to administer a decedent's estate on their behalf. Family members are often appointed to serve as the Administrator of the Administratrix of an estate, but a court must appoint them to that position.
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8. How much is my claim worth?
No lawyer can definitively tell you how much your case is worth. We do our best to evaluate your claim(s) and communicate with you about what we believe is an acceptable settlement or outcome for you. We encourage transparency as we believe our clients deserve to be treated with respect and dignity at all times.
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9. When do you become my lawyer?
We become your lawyer once you sign a retainer agreement with our firm. The Hunter Law Firm will not represent you without an executed retainer agreement.
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