Frequently asked questions
ABOUT THE FIRM
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Where are you located?
Our office operates on a predominately virtual and remote basis, which allows us to keep overhead costs low and pass that savings onto our clients. We have a post office mailing address and can book meeting space as needed.
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Can I meet with you in person?
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Yes! Even though we work remotely, we are available for both virtual and in-person meetings based on our client's preferences.
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Where do you hold meetings if you don't have an office?
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Depending on the nature of the meeting, for instance a private meeting with a client versus scheduling in-person negotiations or questioning, we can schedule them at our client's home, a convenient neutral location, or in a reserved private meeting room.
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GENERAL
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What do I need to prepare or bring for my initial consultation?
We will require two pieces of identification and ask that you fill out the Client Intake Questionnaire for you specific matter. A copy of all questionnaires can be found under the Questionnaires tab of our website. This will allow us to make the most of your consultation.
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We also recommend that you prepare a summary of your circumstances and that you write down and specific questions you might have before the consultation and keep them available to ask.
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How can I enforce child support payments?
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Having a court order setting out child support obligations and this order should be registered with the Maintenance Enforcement Program, or MEP. Where you have a court order but are still not receiving payments, MEP can enforce collecting support through a variety of enforcement measures including wage garnishment, driver's license suspension and passport invalidation.
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Why do I need a lawyer to do my Will?
We provide clients with personalized and tailored estate planning which may not be found in a standard do-it-yourself Will Kit. Additionally, a lawyer can provide the benefit of having a informative discussions or explaining the process so that you can be confident you understand your options for ensuring your best interest is cared for in advanced age and that your family and assets are suitably looked after upon your passing.
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What is Independent Legal Advice (ILA) and why do I need it?
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Independent Legal Advice, or ILA, is sometimes required when signing certain documents, including legal or financial documents. Generally, the requirement for ILA is to ensure that the person signing the document fully understands their legal rights and obligations prior to signing to ensure that the party understands what they are consenting to.
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FEES & BILLING
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What is a retainer and how does it work?
A retainer is funds that are paid by the client to our office in advance of any work being conducted on the file. They are generally required upon signing the Retainer Agreement and file opening. Once paid to us, these funds are held in trust on our client's behalf and billed in accordance with the strict accounting rules set by the Law Society of Alberta.
Why do I need to have a Retainer Agreement?
A Retainer Agreement set out important terms relating to our lawyer client relationship, including billing information, a summary of work to be conducted, communication terms, and other information information.
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What are your fees and how much can I expect to spend on my legal matter?
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Laura-Claire's hourly rate is set at $380/hour and our support staffs' hourly rate is set at $125/hour, all prices subject to GST. We offer various pricing models, including hourly services, flat rate fees, legal coaching and reduced rates, depending on the nature of your legal issue, the services needed, and your budget. For more information, don't hesitate to schedule a call with our office and we can discuss what options may be available to you depending on your circumstances.
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Can I do some of the work myself to reduce legal fees?
If you're interested in managing some of the work on your file in an effort to reduce legal expenses, we are happy to discuss how we can make that work. Generally, where a client wants to manage a large amount of the work themselves, it may be more appropriate for us to provide legal coaching services, depending on the case.
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What payment methods do you accept?
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We accept payment by cash, cheque, debit, credit, and interact e-transfer. For all e-transfer payments, send payment to info@maherlegal.ca.