What to Ask Your Lawyer

Prepare Your First Consultation

The first consultation is fundamental. It's your chance to evaluate if the lawyer is right for you and if your case is viable.

Before going: prepare this information

• Written summary of your case (timeline of events)
• Relevant documentation organized
• List of questions you want to ask
• Budget you can allocate

Essential Questions

1. "Is my case legally viable?" The most important one. A good lawyer will tell you the truth, not what you want to hear.

2. "What are the options?" There's always more than one path: negotiation, mediation, lawsuit, waiting...

3. "How long could the process take?" Court timelines in Spain range from months to years depending on jurisdiction.

4. "How much will it cost?" Ask for a detailed written estimate. Ask about possible additional costs.

5. "What's the probability of success?" No lawyer can guarantee an outcome, but they can give a reasoned estimate.

6. "Who will handle my case day-to-day?" In large firms, it's sometimes assigned to a junior lawyer.

Red Flags

• Guarantees the outcome ("we'll definitely win this")
• Doesn't want to give a written estimate
• Pressures you to decide on the spot
• Doesn't clearly explain the options
• Has no experience with your type of case