SW&L FAQ
You may have a legal problem in North Dakota or Western Minnesota and not know how to resolve it. The right attorney can advise and assist you with your particular problem.
If you are accused of committing a crime, for example, charged with a DUI, an attorney may be able to obtain a plea bargain for a lesser charge and/or a reduced sentence. If you’ve been injured at work, in a car accident, or in any way at the hands of another, it is important to consult with a lawyer to determine what legal rights you may have as a result of those injuries. There are also a variety of family issues that have the potential for high emotion and can alter an entire family’s situation. Having an attorney will assist in getting the best outcome for your situation. For example, North Dakota is a “no-fault” state regarding divorce. This simply means that neither party is required to prove fault or grounds beyond a showing of the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage or irreconcilable differences. However, the circumstances particular to your situation will determine whether or not a divorce is right for you and an attorney can help you avoid legal issues that may arise due to changes in laws. A family attorney will also be able to answer questions related to child custody, visitation & child support.
Regarding a business venture, you may have questions regarding starting a business or forming a corporation. Or you may have a residential or commercial real estate situation, are buying a new house, car or major purchase, or need assistance with planning your estate. Knowing your options and having an idea of what needs to be done to protect your best interests can be accomplished when you work with an attorney.
These are just a few examples of how an attorney at our law firm can help you understand your rights. At Severson, Wogsland & Liebl, P.C., we often provide a free, initial consultation and give you the opportunity to ask some basic questions to our attorneys about your situation. By asking these questions, you will find that it often assists you in determining whether you want or need to move forward with legal representation and work with our law firm. If you decide to retain a lawyer at our firm, we will discuss your situation in greater detail and ask more specific questions as we progress.
After working with several clients & answering many questions, we’ve compiled a list of the most common questions we receive at our law firm in order to help you get some basic questions answered before you decide to call or email us.
Do I Need A Lawyer?
We don’t know, yet. We would need to know the facts and circumstances. The process of discussing whether you need a lawyer and if we can help you is called a consultation. We offer free consultations, so if you think you may need a lawyer, call or email us. It’s at no risk to you.
If you are charged with a crime, then you likely need to talk to a lawyer. If you have been served with a lawsuit, you also likely need to talk to a lawyer. If you don’t know whether or not you need a lawyer, give us a call or email us. Calling a law firm too early is better than too late. We will let you know if we can help or not.
What Kind of Attorney Do I Need?
Many attorneys focus on particular practice areas. You can visit our attorneys’ practice areas to find out who might be able to best serve you.
How Do I Hire A Lawyer?
Give us a call or send us an email to start the process. After we speak with you, we will send you a Representation Agreement for your review. A Representation Agreement is a contract between the lawyer and the client. It defines the scope of the work, the duration of the representation, fees, and billing, and how to pay. You have not hired us unless and until you have signed a Representation Agreement.
How Does A Lawyer Charge for Services?
It depends on the service. If you have a criminal matter, our attorneys will often quote you a flat fee. If you have a personal injury matter, our attorneys will often quote you a contingency fee. A contingency fee is a fee for services provided where the fee is payable only if the lawsuit is successful or is favorably settled. A contingency fee is often expressed as a percentage. For most other matters, we will often quote an hourly fee. Depending on the matter, we may be able to give you an estimate on what our hourly fees will be.
How Do I Pay My Bill?
We accept cash, check, and credit cards.
Do SW&L Attorneys Accept Payment Plans?
Yes, but on a very limited basis. Any payment plan must be agreed to in the Representation Agreement.
Who Will Work On My Case?
The attorney you talk to will be the lead on your case and will be your point of contact. That attorney may delegate work to other attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants in order to provide timely and efficient service.
How Can I Help?
First, provide us with all relevant information and documents in order for us to understand your issue and build a file. We need to know what you and other key persons know about the case. Second, make yourself freely available and communicate your comments, questions, or concerns to your attorney in a timely manner. We work as a team with our clients to try and achieve the best results.
