Actually, you’ve already taken the first step: doing the research that brought you to Highlander Law. Now it’s time to schedule an initial consultation. In 30 minutes to an hour, your prospective attorney will ask basic questions about your case and suggest possible legal actions they may take if representing you. This is an informal opportunity to get to know one another and determine if you are a mutual good fit. Most legal firms, including Highlander Law, charge a minor fee for the initial consultation.

Jot down the key points and any questions about your case. Bring along copies of any relevant documents or support materials—texts, emails, audio recordings, videos—and a contact list of others who may be involved. Rest assured that information you provide will be kept confidential, even at this early stage. However, if a third party such as a friend or relative joins you in the consultation, your prospective attorney-client confidentiality will be lost, so it’s best to meet alone.

A lawyer’s retainer is payment up front to ensure that you will have dedicated legal representation ready when you need it. Your new attorney will present you with a retainer fee agreement outlining the scope of legal services, mutual expectations, payment terms, and other standard items. Retainer fees are calculated by considering the difficulty of the case and estimating the timeframe needed to complete it. The retainer amount may be a flat fee or based on an hourly rate.

Open and clear communication is the key to any successful relationship, and the attorney-client partnership is no exception. Highlander Law uses Clio for Clients, a secure online portal designed for attorneys and clients to easily and quickly communicate and share documents. Clio has been proven to increase client satisfaction and improve response times. Of course, Attorney Nate Walloch is also available by phone, email, and in-person or video meetings based on your preferences.

Family law cases are as diverse as families themselves. But they also have things in common: complex regulations, overwhelming information and documentation, unforgiving deadlines, and strategic negotiations—all topped with high levels of conflict, stress and emotion.

As a specialist in family law, Attorney Nate Walloch is uniquely qualified and mentally equipped to handle sensitive cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, criminal matters and more. He believes that everyone deserves a second chance to redeem themselves, and that even the darkest situations are opportunities for new beginnings.

The legal world is always evolving. For example, Illinois courts recently eliminated the traditional cash bail system as a result of the new SAFE-T Act. To stay current with changes in the legal system that will impact their clients, Illinois attorneys are required to participate in 30 hours of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) every two years, administered by the MCLE Board (an arm of the Illinois Supreme Court). This includes six hours of professional responsibility with at least one hour each devoted to diversity/inclusion and mental health/substance abuse.

Knowing that Attorney Nate Walloch is in compliance with his accreditation and in good standing with the Illinois State Bar is an extra layer of reassurance that you’ve made the right choice in legal representation.

The added burden of financial stress is the last thing you need when fighting for your family. What you DO need is an attorney who will give your case the attention it deserves, and that’s one major benefit of working with a small, private legal firm. Discuss cost estimates with your new attorney early and be up front about your financial circumstances. You can also save money by saving the law firm valuable time: gather, organize and photocopy as much paperwork as you can before presenting it to your attorney.

And take heart in knowing that some firms, including Highlander Law, keep their fees reasonable and are open to negotiating payment plans with their valued clients.

Attorney Nate Walloch didn’t get into family law to take advantage of good people in bad situations. He did it to become your advocate in life’s toughest battles. Call Highlander Law today and learn how he can help.