What Your Lawyer Should Communicate to You

Open and frank exchanges between you and your lawyer are incredibly important. They allow you to stay informed about the progress of your case and prove that your lawyer is knowledgeable and invested.

You should expect your lawyer to:

• Stay in communication and be responsive in a reasonable amount of time
• Keep you informed about new developments in your case
• Give an estimate of the overall time your case might take and money it might will cost
• Forecast the most probable outcome. A good lawyer will never guarantee victory, but they should be able to tell you likely outcomes and possible pitfalls they see on the horizon
• Tell you about any setbacks or procedural delays
• Inform you of your options in a case and discuss important decisions -- such as whether to take a plea bargain -- with you, the client
• Maintain the attorney-client privilege

In other words, your lawyer should be responsive and keep you informed at all times. You are hiring them, remember. It’s very important that you ask questions and get educated about your case.

You should also discuss with your lawyer what he or she needs from you.

Laws on this topic may vary from state to state. This content is not meant to provide you with complete information and it is not intended to be legal or tax advice. It is recommended that you consult with your own attorney, accountant or other advisor regarding your specific situation.