Consultation and Fees FAQ’s
Q: How do I schedule a consultation with the Attorney?
Please call our office at (925) 262 – 3884 or email us at goerizlaw@gmail.com to set up an appointment. We will ask you to fill out the prospective client questionnaire and return it to our office at least 24 hours before the consultation date. The information contained in the form should be about the person who is seeking a temporary visa, permanent residence, citizenship, relief from deportation or any other immigration benefit. It is important that you complete the form in its entirety. This gives the Attorney enough time to review your paperwork, strategize the best courses of action and identify possible problem areas before our appointment.
Q: Do I have to come in to the office for my consultation?
We provide consultations in person at our office or your preferred location and by phone. Also, we can set up a MSN or Skype chat. Finally, we can do a detailed case assessment and provide strategic advice by email.
Q: What days can I schedule the consultation on?
Normally, the in person and by phone consultations are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, early morning, late night and weekend times are available by appointment and an additional
$75.00 charge.
On-line or email consultations may be scheduled 7 days per week without the additional fees.
Q: What do you charge for a consultation?
The fee for the initial consultation with the Attorney is $150.00. The fee is payable on or before the day of consultation by cash, money order, cashiers check or credit card through Pay Pal. The consultation usually lasts up to one hour.
If you retain our law firm to represent you on the day of your consultation, we will be pleased to credit the entire consultation fee toward the cost of your case.
Q: What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
If you need to cancel your appointment, please be respectful by calling the office at least 24 hours ahead of the scheduled time. Otherwise, you will be billed for the full consultation fee. When we set up an appointment, the Attorney anticipates working for you and no one else, and therefore expects you to show up. When you miss the appointment without prior notice that means we do not have a chance to fill your slot with someone else who is more serious about his or her case.
Obviously, if you are ill or have another problem we will be happy to reschedule with a proper notice.
Q: What are the benefits of a consultation?
A consultation may be defined as an in –depth, personal and confidential interview with the Attorney and your opportunity to ask the Attorney all of your questions. Generally during the consultation, the Attorney will get a detailed history of your situation and determine what can be done in your case. Together we will develop strategies, discuss alternative procedures, processing times, likelihood of success, potential problems and logistics. In addition, after learning more about your case and deciding what course of action is needed, the Attorney will be able to quote fees and discuss billing and payment methods.
Q: What should I bring to the consultation?
You will be provided with the checklist of documents to bring after scheduling your consultation.
Q: Do you give fee quotes over the phone or email?
No. Although we are happy to get a general idea about the nature of your case in an email or brief phone conversation, we usually do not have sufficient information to determine how much work will your case require and how complicated or simple it is until you have been interviewed at length. We might have to review your documents or even do some follow up research before giving you a fee estimate. Also, some clients are not ready to proceed right away and come back to us sometime later when either the law or the fee structure has changed.
Q: If I hire your firm, how will I be charged and billed for the fees and costs?
Most cases are billed on a flat fee basis. The fees vary case by case depending on the facts in the case, results in similar cases, anticipated and actual time devoted to the case, the complexity of the factual and legal issues, the level of skill needed, need for expedited processing, the client’s immigration history and the ability to pay. We will discuss the feed toward the end of your initial consultation when we know more about your case and what we can do for you.
In rare situations, unpredictable issues may arise, which will be billed on an hourly basis when the need arises.
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
Most cases billed on a flat fee basis are billed in stages of the case. Hourly fees must be paid monthly and usually require a deposit, which is placed in the client trust account, to be paid upfront. An initial deposit towards total fee is normally required to start a new matter. The payment if the deposit also demonstrates your commitment to the case. Although we do take into account your ability to pay, you are expected to keep up with any payment plan that is arranged with your attorney. We do not extend loans and unpaid bills and balances are forwarded to a collection agency.
Q: If I retain you services, can you guarantee success?
By law, an attorney cannot "guarantee" results. While we can advise you about the risks, benefits, and chances for success, no prediction, warranty or guarantee can be made about the success of any case. Our opinion, testimonial, endorsement, etc., do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. However, we will assure you that if we handle your case, we will fight for all the immigration benefits to which you are legitimately and legally entitled.
Please contact our office at (925) 262 – 3884 for more information or to schedule an appointment with the Attorney Milda Goeriz.