One of the most frequently asked question is for us to explain the difference between a 'Living Trust' and a 'Living Will'

We have a FAQ - About Wills & Trusts page which you may go to for many answers to your questions about Wills, Trusts, Living Wills..

Q. - WHY DO I NEED A LAWYER?

A. - In many states, including Oklahoma, you are not required to have a lawyer to represent you in any legal proceeding, including probate.

You may even write your own will if you want to, without a lawyer.

You may also change the transmission in you car - but you need to know what you are doing!

Caveat: - You should realize that most lawyers spend a great deal of their time in litigation correcting the mistakes created by persons who have chosen to write their own wills, or do their own legal work without sound legal advice.

Some Court proceedings, especially the Small Claims Court are specifically designed to allow you to appear without an attorney. Sometimes, however, the other party will show up in court with an attorney, and you may be at a disadvantage.

Even if you intend to bring an action in Small Claims Court, and intend to appear without an attorney a la Judge Judy, we suggest that you have an initial consultation with an attorney of your choosing to get some advice on the procedure - and what will be expected of you in the Court.

- DOCUMENTS FOR COURT FILING!

• Sometimes we are asked to just prepare pleadings for pro-se litigants. We do not recommend pro-se litigation, but do prepare necessary pleadings, and try to give helpful advice with the preparation.
  
  
• See - Document Preparation & Pleadings

Q. - What does it cost to hire a lawyer ?

A. - It depends on what you want your lawyer to do for you!

We Feel that Before Hiring Any Attorney, you should be able to have an estimate of the costs of his or her representation. You may be quoted a 'flat rate' fee for the services, or an hourly rate. Most 'flat rate' fees are based on the attorney's estimate of the time require to perform a particular service.

We have a Schedule of Fees & Services which you may review to determine our fees for the services we offer.

Q. - What is the charge for an initial consultation ?

A. - Probably the best bargain in any law office is the initial consultation. Unlike most legal services the charges, if any, for the initial consultation are not based on any time factor. - Whatever time it takes to advise you on your legal matter is usually included in the charge.

Most attorneys consider the initial consultation as a public relations tool - a means of attracting your future business.

Generally the charge an attorney makes for this initiial consultation is based on the type of law he or she practices, and the type of case which they may have a particular expertise.

Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation as part of their services.

Over the years we have determined that most initial consultations involve only the giving of sound legal advice and answering questions that may not require any 'legal services'. - In most cases the answers to the questions you ask, and the advice you receive may save you many dollars and heartache later on.

Many times the best advice the attorney may give you at the initial consultation may be that you don't have a legal need or problem - that you are okay - or that you shouldn't pursue a particular lawsuit!

In many cases, the initial consultation may be used just to get a second opinion concerning your legal affairs.

It is our opinion that somestimes a second opinion is often times just as important concerning your 'legal needs' as it is with your 'medical needs'.

In fairness to other clients we have determined that a nominal charge should be made for the initial consultation on any matter.

Our charge for the initial consultation is $25.00, and the consultation will be as comprehensive and thorough as you desire it to be - whether or not we perform additional services for you.

In the event that we do perform further legal services for you on the matter discussed in the initial consultation the charge is credited against the the total fee for the services performed.

Q. - Do you give legal advice over the phone ? -

A. - Sometimes we are able to give you a general statement of the law concerning a particular legal problem you have.

However, We do not give advice to you concerning your particular problem on the phone.

It is our opinion that no attorney can properly advise you on your legal needs over the phone.

Your needs are unique to you, and proper advice can only be given after your attorney has a chance to properly interview you and learn all of the facts about your particular problem.

Q. - Why are costs of Legal Services so expensive ?

See - Why are Legal Costs So Expensive? .

Q. - What Three Legal Documents Should Everyone Have?

A. - See Three Legal Documents Everyone Should Have

Q. - What is a Pre Nuptial or Ante Nuptial Agreement?

A. - See FAQ - Pre Nuptial Agreements - Ante Nuptial

Q. - What is a Common Law Marriage?

A. - See FAQ - Common Law Marriages

Q. - What is the Difference Between Divorce & Annulment?

A. - See FAQ - Divorce and Annulment

Q. - Tell me Everything I Want to Know about 'Probate' !

A. - See - FAQ - About Probate

Q. - Tell me Everything I Want to Know about Wills & Trusts' !

A. - See - FAQ - About Wills & Trusts

Q. - Tell me Everything I Want to Know about 'Buying and Selling Real Estate'

A. - See - FAQ - About Buying and Selling Real Estate

Q. - I feel I have been damaged by the Federal, State, County or City Government. - What can I do?

A. - See - FAQ - Governmental Tort Claims

Q. - Tell me everything I want to know about Civil Rights Violations!

A. - See - FAQ - Civil Rights Violations

Q. - What is a Retainer ?

In Our Office This is Your Money!

This is Your Money! - This is your 'deposit' toward the payment of Total Fees and costs. In the event the matter handled for you terminates before conclusion, such as a Divorce that is dismissed prior to entry of the Decree, or in the event you deposit more money than is required to pay all fees and costs, you will be charged only for the time and costs actually expended on the matter and any unused Retainer will be returned to you at the end of the next billing period.