Q&A: The Legal Process
What should I expect at our first meeting?
The first meeting will take place in our comfortable Oklahoma City office.
You will be asked to complete an intake worksheet to provide us basic
information about your case. We will discuss the facts of the case. We
will discuss the options and develop your expectations in the case. We
will then formulate a plan for how to obtain your goals you have set. You
will be asked to execute a retainer agreement, that is a contract for our
services which explains in detail our fee agreement. At that time we will
go to work on your case.
What should I bring to my first meeting?
Existing case - If you have a current or past case that you plan for us
to revisit we need all of the documents dealing with your case to date.
You should bring current income information and a list of your current
expenses. You also need a list of goals for the case as well as a list of
things you do not want to happen.
New case - You should bring your current income information, three
years of tax returns, a list of your monthly expenses, a list of vehicles &
titles, a list of all debt with account numbers, a list of all assets with all
applicable contact information. You should put together a list of things
you want from the case. You should also bring a list of things you do not
want to happen during the case. These things are not required for our
first meeting, but can be helpful. If you cannot get everything together
for the first meeting that is okay, you can provide it later.
What will be the cost of our services?
The cost of the case is determined by the parties. A case that is settled
will cost less than a case that proceeds through trial. During our first
meeting we will discuss the retainer needed for our services. This will be
money paid up front. The money will be held in our client trust account.
We will bill against the account monthly. Monthly statements will be
provided showing the work done each month on your case. If the
retainer is exhausted we will ask you to make an additional deposit. If
the retainer is not completely used at the conclusion of your case, the
balance will be refunded. We also have a “pay as you go” option which
requires a smaller retainer and monthly payments on your behalf.
Please feel free to ask us any questions about the financial aspects of
our services.
How long will my case take?
A divorce case involving children cannot typically be granted until ninety
(90) days passes from the date the Petition For Dissolution of Marriage
is filed. The typical divorce involving children will last at least six (6)
months. A case that is highly contested regarding children and/or
property could last more than a year, although we will do our best to
move the case along faster. The cases in the larger counties typically
move slower than cases in smaller counties. Motions to Modify Custody,
Support, or Visitation can be done quickly if agreed upon, otherwise,
several weeks or months can pass while the case is prepared for Court.
Bottom line, justice is not swift, although we will do our best to move your
case along at a steady pace. The reason cases take so much time is
the volume of cases currently pending in the Oklahoma Court System.
Remember almost half of all marriages in Oklahoma end in divorce.
How can I get ready for our first meeting, the following meetings
and court?
Be organized, people often times come to our office and forget what they
want. I believe it is the anxiety of dealing with the situation. Make a list,
write it down. If you have an idea e-mail it to us, we all have email and
encourage it’s use.
Do we use email?
Yes! Please feel free to contact us by email. This does two things, first
it helps us document your questions and concerns. Second, it will allow
us to respond to you more promptly. We spend a lot of the time talking
on the phone, e-mail allows us to communicate in a more prompt and
concise manner saving you money in the end. Please feel free to give
us a call when email will not do the job. However, for a brief simple
question we suggest email. We also like you to email us more
complicated questions and request a call. This will allow us to think
about the question, do any research that may be required before
responding, thus improving our service. Please see contact us page for
email addresses.
Can I bring a family member or friend to our appointments?
Yes, we encourage you to bring someone. A second set of ears can be
helpful. A friend can also help remember questions you may forget and
the conversation in general.
The first meeting will take place in our comfortable Oklahoma City office.
You will be asked to complete an intake worksheet to provide us basic
information about your case. We will discuss the facts of the case. We
will discuss the options and develop your expectations in the case. We
will then formulate a plan for how to obtain your goals you have set. You
will be asked to execute a retainer agreement, that is a contract for our
services which explains in detail our fee agreement. At that time we will
go to work on your case.
What should I bring to my first meeting?
Existing case - If you have a current or past case that you plan for us
to revisit we need all of the documents dealing with your case to date.
You should bring current income information and a list of your current
expenses. You also need a list of goals for the case as well as a list of
things you do not want to happen.
New case - You should bring your current income information, three
years of tax returns, a list of your monthly expenses, a list of vehicles &
titles, a list of all debt with account numbers, a list of all assets with all
applicable contact information. You should put together a list of things
you want from the case. You should also bring a list of things you do not
want to happen during the case. These things are not required for our
first meeting, but can be helpful. If you cannot get everything together
for the first meeting that is okay, you can provide it later.
What will be the cost of our services?
The cost of the case is determined by the parties. A case that is settled
will cost less than a case that proceeds through trial. During our first
meeting we will discuss the retainer needed for our services. This will be
money paid up front. The money will be held in our client trust account.
We will bill against the account monthly. Monthly statements will be
provided showing the work done each month on your case. If the
retainer is exhausted we will ask you to make an additional deposit. If
the retainer is not completely used at the conclusion of your case, the
balance will be refunded. We also have a “pay as you go” option which
requires a smaller retainer and monthly payments on your behalf.
Please feel free to ask us any questions about the financial aspects of
our services.
How long will my case take?
A divorce case involving children cannot typically be granted until ninety
(90) days passes from the date the Petition For Dissolution of Marriage
is filed. The typical divorce involving children will last at least six (6)
months. A case that is highly contested regarding children and/or
property could last more than a year, although we will do our best to
move the case along faster. The cases in the larger counties typically
move slower than cases in smaller counties. Motions to Modify Custody,
Support, or Visitation can be done quickly if agreed upon, otherwise,
several weeks or months can pass while the case is prepared for Court.
Bottom line, justice is not swift, although we will do our best to move your
case along at a steady pace. The reason cases take so much time is
the volume of cases currently pending in the Oklahoma Court System.
Remember almost half of all marriages in Oklahoma end in divorce.
How can I get ready for our first meeting, the following meetings
and court?
Be organized, people often times come to our office and forget what they
want. I believe it is the anxiety of dealing with the situation. Make a list,
write it down. If you have an idea e-mail it to us, we all have email and
encourage it’s use.
Do we use email?
Yes! Please feel free to contact us by email. This does two things, first
it helps us document your questions and concerns. Second, it will allow
us to respond to you more promptly. We spend a lot of the time talking
on the phone, e-mail allows us to communicate in a more prompt and
concise manner saving you money in the end. Please feel free to give
us a call when email will not do the job. However, for a brief simple
question we suggest email. We also like you to email us more
complicated questions and request a call. This will allow us to think
about the question, do any research that may be required before
responding, thus improving our service. Please see contact us page for
email addresses.
Can I bring a family member or friend to our appointments?
Yes, we encourage you to bring someone. A second set of ears can be
helpful. A friend can also help remember questions you may forget and
the conversation in general.
Our Mission is to
help our clients
obtain
extraordinary
results in the
Oklahoma legal
system through
professional
representation.
help our clients
obtain
extraordinary
results in the
Oklahoma legal
system through
professional
representation.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Attorneys & Counselors at Law |
Phone (405) 232-2444 john@albertslaw.net Fax (405) 232-2445
| ALBERTS & ASSOCIATES |