Discover how often you should call your attorney, balancing effective communication without overwhelming your legal counsel.
Generally speaking, hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but even more so if you are new at taking care of legal issues. The most frequently asked question each client has in mind is, “How often should you call your attorney?” It is a normal question that is quite apparent.
After all, you don’t want to be calling your attorney a hundred times or, on the other hand, be left in the dark concerning your case because of too little communication. We’re covering how frequently you should contact your attorney, what you should bear in mind, and how you can ensure that you are striking that balance.
Table of Contents
Why Communication Matters in Attorney-Client Relationships
Before details, let me outline the importance of communication in the attorney-client relationship. I can tell you, from personal experience, that clear and timely communication with your lawyer may hold the key to a successful resolution of your legal issue-be it a personal injury case, divorce, or business dispute. You need to remain informed and engaged, but how often should you pick up the phone?
I remember going through a real estate transaction, how I was always anxious not to “bother” my lawyer with questions. That felt like trying to find a balance between being informed and respecting their time. It’s changed in these years; it’s not about the number of calls but the quality of the communication.
Factors to Consider That Determine How Often Should You Call Your Attorney
Generally speaking, there are a variety of factors that depend on how often you frequently should call your attorney. Knowing what these are will help give a better idea of when it is appropriate to call and when you should wait for an update to occur.
1. The Complexity of Your Case
Not all cases are created equal. Some cases are simple and straight forward, while others can be extremely complicated and involve a series of complex stages. If your case is relatively simple-like drafting a will or handling an uncomplicated real estate transaction, you likely won’t need to call your lawyer very often.
On the other hand, if you happen to have a high-profile case or serious criminal defense matter, then more involvement would perhaps be warranted, and checking in more often. For example, a friend once had this tedious custody battle. She was calling her attorney all the time, as new changes, it seemed, were occurring almost weekly.
Contrast that to when I had this dispute over a traffic ticket: the lawyer took care of everything, and I heard from him only twice: once when I hired him, the second time when the whole case was resolved.
Rule of Thumb:
Call more at the beginning and the end of your case. Throughout the middle, you can check in from time to time but for the most part, let the attorney do his or her work.
2. The Stage of Your Case
Legal cases are in different stages, and with each stage, a different level of communication may be necessary or appropriate. Here’s a general breakdown of what one might expect from different junctures:
Rule of Thumb:
Call more at the beginning and the end of your case. Throughout the middle, you can check in from time to time but for the most part, let the attorney do his or her work.
3. Communication Style of Your Attorney
Also, attorneys vary in their way and mode of communication. Some attorneys would prefer email over telephone calls, while others could use client portals or regular meetings in person to keep you up to speed. This could perhaps be one good thing to ask the attorney upfront, such as their preferred way and frequency of communication.
I once had an attorney who was super responsive via email but rarely, if ever, answered phone calls. It threw me off a bit early on, as I assumed that phone calls would be the way to go to keep in touch. But after understanding her preference, it went pretty smoothly. Conversely, I have worked with lawyers who prefer to schedule a weekly phone call to review any updates, and that works just as well.
Rule of Thumb:
Tailor your communication frequency to the way your attorney operates. If they’re open to frequent updates, don’t be afraid to lean on them. Otherwise, respect their process.
4. The Urgency of the Situation
Sometimes, the matters pending before the courts happen to be urgent—no getting around it. If so, by all means, you must call your attorney as frequently as necessary. Suppose you have an imminent court date, or some sudden development; much more frequent communications are amply justified.
Save that for when the situation is urgent and a deadline is approaching. One thing I learned: attorneys are often in no hurry to return calls. And they don’t always have an update, and that’s alright. The legal process is slow, so calling more often won’t speed things any faster.
Rule of Thumb:
Call more at the beginning and the end of your case. Throughout the middle, you can check in from time to time but for the most part, let the attorney do his or her work.
5. Your Own Comfort Level
Let’s get real here-sometimes you just want to be comforted. Legal matters can be stressful, and it certainly is okay to want to check in with a person touching base to ensure that all is on track. If you are anxious, you may want to speak to your attorney about any key URLs or updates. Just be respectful of their time.
I remember when my business was going through a very stressful period; I was calling my attorney all the time. I knew I was also being a bit overbearing, but she reassured me it was perfectly fine for me to call when I had concerns. That really helped me feel more in control of the situation.
Rule of Thumb:
And if ever in doubt, it’s OK to call-just be respectful of your attorney’s time. They’re there to help you but they also have other clients. Sometimes a concise email can be just as effective as a call.
When You Should Absolutely Call Your Attorney
With general guidelines for communication out of the way, let’s touch on when you should absolutely pick up the phone and call your attorney. Here are various situations where you need to communicate immediately:
When You Absolutely Shouldn’t Call Your Lawyer
On the other hand, indeed, there are times when it is better not to call your attorney. Sometimes, too much communication can retard the process and also jack up your legal fees. Following are a few aspects where one could back off:
Striking the Right Balance: How to Know You’re Communicating Enough
Ultimately, the key to a successful relationship with your attorney is a balance in communications. You do not want to be that ghost client who never checks in, yet on the same token, you do not want to be the client that calls every day asking about minute details. So, how will you know you communicate enough?
Here are a few tips to make sure you’re hitting the right balance:
FAQs
1. How often should you call your attorney during a legal case?
How often you will communicate with your lawyer has something to do with the stage and complexity of the case. In other words, in more complicated cases, such as litigation or child custody battles, you might speak with your attorney every week, especially during the critical stages, like court hearings or negotiations. Less complex legal issues may warrant less frequent contact, such as monthly updates, or less often, scheduled check-ins. Set clear-cut expectations with your lawyer from the start of your case.
2. When should you immediately call your attorney?
If there is a major development in your case, such as new evidence, an upcoming court date, a settlement offer, or a major change in your personal or financial situation, you should call your attorney immediately. You must also contact your attorney immediately if you receive legal documents or notices that you may not understand, so you can ensure actions are taken on due time.
3. Do frequent calls with your lawyer raise legal fees?
Yes, too many calls to your attorney raise your legal expense, in particular when you are on an hourly Gould and Hahn, LLP sort of arrangement. Attorneys bill for most phone conversations, both incoming and outgoing, as well as email and other correspondence. You can help alleviate additional expenses by consolidating the number of questions and concerns into one communication, or you can regularly schedule updates with your attorney to keep yourself knowledgeable about the progress without over-communicating.
4. How is it best to communicate with your attorney?
The best way to reach your lawyer is however he or she prefers. Most lawyers, when possible, prefer email for non-urgent communications because it creates a written record. Others may like to have essential discussions by phone or by meeting in an office. It’s important to ask your attorney how they would like to receive communications and to respect their process, so that communications go quickly and smoothly.
Closing Thoughts
So, how often should you call your attorney? It all depends on the complexity of your case, the stage of the legal process, and your comfort level. While it’s great to be informed, it’s equally important that you trust your attorney and give them space to do their job. Set clear expectations, keep the lines of communication balanced, and know when to reach out-you’ll be setting yourself up for a smoother legal experience.
Remember that your attorney works for you, while he or she may also have many clients. Patience and a little good strategic communication on your part will pay off.
