Consultation Procedure

What is a “consultation”?

At the Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre a “Consultation” at our firm is a very in depth process where we come to understand the challenges that you currently face and where we propose strategies and solutions.  Here’s how it works:

• 1. You first complete our online intake.  Answer the questions that are relevant to your situation.  Call our office if you need guidance.
• 2. Gene C. Colman or a staff member reviews the online intake.  We may ask you to make available relevant documents, particularly where you have an ongoing case in court.
• 3. Gene C. Colman looks at the documents to determine if this case is potentially something that our firm would handle and he then sets a block fee that includes:
  • his preliminary review of the documents;
  • his in depth review of the documents;
  • his drafting of part of the consultation memorandum prior to the zoom meeting;
  • the zoom meeting with you, and
  • a detailed memorandum that you receive after the zoom meeting.
• 4. You send the block consultation fee to our law clerk.  (If you choose not to proceed with the consultation, that’s no problem.  You owe us nothing for our preliminary review leading to the quote of the block fee.)
• 5. We set a time slot for the zoom consultation.
• 6. Gene C. Colman reads the intake and the documents in more detail and formulates a theory and notes questions to explore at the zoom consultation.
• 7. We meet in that prearranged time zoom time slot – normally about two hours but sometimes less (and sometimes more).  Gene C. Colman asks you questions about your issues and then relates his strategy and recommendations.
• 8. Shortly after the conclusion to our zoom meeting, we send to you a detailed (and usually fairly lengthy) memorandum summarizing the meeting. The memorandum will include what we discussed at the zoom consultation and this includes:
  • the facts of your case;
  • the proposed strategy;
  • the advice given; and,
  • a list of tasks that should be accomplished to move the case forward.

Is it worth the expense?

• Yes. A considerable amount of time and effort goes into the consultation process. The block fee for the consultation (which is usually less than the number of hours x our normal hourly rates) includes the following:
  • We handle all preliminary inquiries from you in a professional and timely manner. This occurs generally via an exchange of emails but phone assistance is also available to help explain to you the process.
  • A staff person takes detailed notes of our discussion, and then uses them to compile a memorandum of the consultation for you.  We also use AI recording and summaries to assist in creating the consultation memorandum.
  • Gene C.  Colman reviews the memorandum before it goes out to you to ensure it is correct and to add any additional ideas that he may have following the consultation.

What if I do not want to hire the Colman firm after the consultation?

• There is absolutely no obligation to hire us as your lawyers on a go forward basis.
• Both sides have to be comfortable moving forward with your case.  If either side is not sure that we are a “fit”, that’s no problem.  We go our separate ways but you still come out of the process with a detailed memorandum that includes the strategy and advice. This is a valuable tool to help in managing your case for the future whether you become our client or not.
• You become better educated about your rights, your responsibilities and the possible next steps in your case.
• If you want to hire the Colman firm, you can discuss that at the conclusion of the consultation or anytime thereafter.
• Regardless, everything is held in the strictest confidence. Your consultation is protected by solicitor-client privilege regardless of whether or not we form an ongoing relationship after the consultation.

Why should I have such a lengthy and detailed consultation when many lawyers will simply give me one half hour for free?

• An in depth consultation with an experienced family law lawyer will help you assess your legal situation. What is the best approach to achieve your goals? What sort of creative strategy might you use? You need to make an informed decision. The consultation will help you do just that.
• Nobody (not even the best lawyers!) can gain a proper appreciation of a case in just one half hour, and many lawyers who offer a “free half hour consultation” will not give you specific advice, but rather only general legal information, which may not really be of much use to you. The old adage applies: You get what you pay for.

When and where are you available to conduct a consultation?:

• We conduct zoom consultations normally between Monday and Friday during normal business hours.

Who can attend the consultation?

You are very welcome to bring with you a trusted friend or family member. (But be aware that such a person is not covered by the solicitor-client privilege rule and therefore, that person could theoretically be compelled to give evidence by the opposing lawyer as to what transpired during the consultation.)

How can I contact your office to get the process started?

You can click here to send us an email or to start the full online intake, as you prefer.  Or, you can call us now at 1-888-389-3099.

How do I get more information?

You may call our Reception at Ext. 100 to obtain more information with respect to the consultation process or contact us via our online form.