Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney

Q. Should I hire an attorney? Why shouldn't I represent myself?

A. I strongly advise against representing yourself. Whether you hire my firm or another firm, hire a good attorney to represent you. Family law is a highly complex field of law. The Family Code is hundreds of pages long and appellate court decisions further interpret and clarify the law. Trial work requires an extensive knowledge of the rules of procedure and rules of evidence. The issues being decided, whether division of property or deciding of custody, visitation, and child support, are of great importance and have lasting, if not lifelong, implications for you, your spouse and your children. It is very difficult to juggle all the information and resources in your case while simultaneously making tactical or strategic legal decisions. The courts do not like pro se litigants and will be highly suspicious of and impatient toward you. Finally, because going through divorce or custody litigation is so deeply personal your emotional involvement will make it extremely difficult to represent yourself objectively in a case. Having an experienced attorney guide you through this emotional and complex journey is indispensable. I have been there, personally as well as professionally. You owe it to yourself and your child to get help.

Q. Many attorneys don't seem to want to go to trial. How about you? Will you be willing to fight for me in Court?

A. Yes, I will. Many family law attorneys do not enjoy trial work and will only handle cases they can settle. In fact, there is a movement going on now among family law attorneys called "Collaborative Law," which expressly limits the parties' rights to go to court and is designed to resolve the case by settlement only.

However, while settlement has it's place and should be an option, I believe our judicial system is predicated on the right of citizens to present disagreements and disputes to a neutral third party in a civilized manner and have the dispute resolved. There are simply times when even reasonable people cannot agree, much less people embroiled in all the emotions of broken relationships and concern over their children. I believe in your right to trial. I believe in some cases you should go to trial. That doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. And, I enjoy trial work.

Q. I know you're a trial lawyer. Can you also handle my case if we've agreed on everything?

A. Yes. Although my emphasis is on contested cases, I also can and do handle many uncontested cases.

Q. How will I know what's going on with my case?

A. When you hire me, you will be kept informed regarding your case in several ways. We send you copies of everything we generate or receive in your case - all letters, pleadings, orders, discovery, settlement offers. Second, we often call you to talk about developments, tactics, strategies, options, so you can know and decide which is best for you. Third, I am available to answer your questions by phone, by appointment, by text, fax or email. Fourth, my legal assistant is available during business hours to answer questions. Applying all these methods, you will be very well informed of your case status.

Q. How Long Does It Take To Finalize A Case?

A. It depends. Agreed cases can be processed quickly. For divorces, Texas law requires a minimum waiting period of at least sixty (60) days from the date a petition is filed before the divorce may become final. Other cases generally do not have a set waiting period. Contested cases, however, will take much longer to finalize by settlement or trial. As a rough rule of thumb, depending on the county, the judge, and other factors, cases usually take in the range of three to twelve months to conclude. Some take even longer.

Q. How do I arrange to talk with you or hire you?

A. Call 972-764-3200 to schedule an appointment for an in person or phone appointment with me at either office. My staff will be happy to make an appointment for you. Or you may contact me via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I am usually available to speak or meet with you within 24 to 48 hours.

Q. Can you help me even if my case is in another state?

A. I often get calls or emails from people who live outside Texas wanting to know if I can help them. If you live outside Texas, but your case is to be determined IN TEXAS, then, yes, I can help you. However, if you're case is to be determined IN ANOTHER STATE, I cannot help you. I recommend you consult with an attorney in the locality of where your case will be heard.
If you are not sure whether what state is the appropriate forum, call me and I'll help you find out. Generally, if the case has not been filed or heard in Texas before and no party or a child lives in Texas, I will not be able to help you.

Q. I don't have time to come see you in person. Can I talk with you and retain you by phone?

A. Yes. I have many clients who, because of distance, work schedules, and even the high cost of driving, cannot make it in to see me in person. I can consult and work with you by phone, email and fax if you need or prefer.

Q. What is your fee for my first consultation?

A. I charge a fee for your first consultation. The charge is $100.00 for forty minutes. For subsequent consultations or time exceeding the first forty minutes, the fee is $300.00 per hour.

Please note that the initial consultation fee must be paid at the time you call the office and schedule your appointment in order to reserve a time for us to meet. The reason for this is that I routinely travel between court appearances, depositions and mediations in various locations, as well as between my two offices, and often times will be making a special trip to one of my locations to meet with you. Also, I schedule other work in coordination with and reliance upon your appointment. I work very hard to be prompt so you will not have to wait.

Q. How should I make the best use of my consultation time?

A. I suggest you first present me with what you consider to be the present issue or problem at hand, followed by a summary of the facts you feel are most pertinent to that issue. I will follow by asking you questions to fill in what other information I need. Then I will advise you, providing information about the law applicable to your case, discussing your options and alternatives, advising you of possible tactics and strategy, and giving you recommendations for what action you may and should take. I will answer any questions you may have. If you request, I will also explain my fees and give you an estimate of the fees and expenses you may incur in your matter if you decide to hire me.

Q. How can I contact you and get started?

A. The best way to contact my office and have me get started on your case is for you to call our office staff at 972-764-3200 to make an appointment. You may also fax or e-mail our office, but I will have to speak with you in person or via telephone in order to consult with you, give you legal advice or undertake legal representation. I cannot give legal advice by fax or e-mail unless and until after you have retained me to represent you and have established an attorney/client relationship.

Q. How much will my case cost?

A. It depends. Just as each person is unique, each case is different. Although your case may involve issues we have handled many times before, the actual fees and costs from case to case will vary, depending on numerous factors such as the type of case, the nature and complexity of disputed issues involved, the locale, the quality or tendencies of opposing counsel, the judge's style of court management, the type and number of witnesses involved in your matter, your personal needs, etc.

Additionally, there often will be court costs, process fees, social study and mental health professional fees, court reporter costs, etc. Once we have had a chance to discuss your case with you, we will usually be able to provide you with an estimate of fees and costs you may have in your matter. To give you an idea, though, you should generally plan on an agreed matter costing a minimum of $1,500 and most contested cases usually ranging from $3,000 to $30,000, with some seriously contested or complex cases resulting in a lengthy proceeding and trial costing even more.

We know this is a lot of money. But consider that our fees are very competitive with and comparable to if not less than many, if not most, other attorneys of similar abilities. If your legal issue is important, treat it importantly. Be willing to invest the time and money to obtain the result you and your child deserve. Hopefully it will be a "once in a lifetime" type expense, similar to a serious medical emergency.

Q. Do you accept credit cards?

A. Yes, we accept all major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We also accept Debit cards, personal or cashiers checks and cash.