As a client you should be well informed. A key to gathering information is to ask questions…ask, ask ask. Another key factor to having a successful meeting with an attorney is for you to be prepared. The questions below can be used as a checklist of some questions that I urge any potential client to ask their prospective elder law attorney.

• How long have you (the elder law attorney) been in practice?
• Does your practice emphasize a particular area of law?
• How long have you been in this field?
• What percentage of your practice is devoted to elder law?
• Given the nature of my concern, what information should I bring with me to the initial consultation?
• Do you have malpractice insurance?
• Describe your experience in handling cases like mine.
• Can you provide references from other clients?
• Will you be working on my case, and, if so, will you be the only one working on it?
• Based on your experience, what is the possibility of a positive outcome in my case? What problems do you anticipate arising in my case?
• What would my responsibilities be in the case?
• How will we communicate about my case?
• Do you or any attorneys in your firm have personal conflicts that might influence the way you represent me in this case?
• If you can’t handle my case, can you recommend someone who can?