RIGHT SIDE
Frequently Asked Questions
RIGHT SIDE
Frequently Asked Questions
First of all, we are NOT lawyers! We are usually experienced paralegals or court clerks who can guide you through the legal process if you aren't able to afford an attorney.
IMPORTANT: we do NOT give legal advice! We can only give legal information.
What's the difference?
The easiest way to explain this is that a lawyer tells you what you SHOULD do. I can only tell you what you COULD do.
Legal Information: "Parenting plans usually include the division of parenting time, where the children will attend school, and who is responsible for decision making."
Legal Advice: "Here is what you should put in your parenting plan."
So, in the above scenario, I cannot tell you what you SHOULD put in your parenting plan. I can only tell you what you CAN or CAN'T put in your parenting plan, and you make the decision. I cannot represent you. I can only help you represent yourself according to the legal strategy YOU decide on with the information I have provided.
Depending on the type of case and your desired outcome, we can:
Prepare, file, and serve a lawsuit based on the information you provide, help you track important deadlines, draft your discovery responses, explain what documents you need and organize those documents once you provide them
Read contracts, covenants, settlement offers and settlement agreements, answer any questions you have about them, draft any changes you want, and explain your options
Help you get a business idea from in your head to up and running and compliant with all laws
Help you determine whether or not you may have a solid basis for a legal action
Explain whether or not your legal goal is achievable based on applicable laws
Help you create new documents or modify existing documents to achieve your goals
Again, we CAN'T give legal advice - only legal information!
Still not sure? Ask us!
We DO NOT:
Help a parent get custody if we do not believe it is in the best interest of the child(ren)
Set up trusts
Divide retirement assets or prepare QDROs
Assist tenants with landlord disputes
Assist immigrants in coming to America
This varies widely based on your case type. Before I begin work, I will provide you a document - sort of like an estimate - explaining exactly what I will do for you, what information and documents I'll need from you to complete the job, and the price. If additional work becomes necessary, I'll prepare you a new estimate.
Note that some cases may require fees from other agencies. For example, courts require a filing fee for most cases. A county agency may require a research fee for finding certain documents. Our fees only cover OUR fees. Anything charged by an outside agency will be extra. Those charges will be set out on your estimate.
My fees for the most common types of cases I handle include:
Last Will and Testament: $400
Full Estate Planning Package: $950
Simple divorce, no kids: $600
Simple divorce with kids: $1,050
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: $675
Power of Attorney: $150
Advanced Medical Directive: $200
Lease Agreement: $225
Purchase and Sale Agreement: $425
Again, please note that MY fees do not include fees from other agencies! If your case is too complex to be handled for the fee quoted above, I will notify you BEFORE beginning work.
Need a custom estimate? Send an email with a description of your case, the outcome you want to achieve, and any documents regarding the case!
I have to make money to live, just like everyone else. That said, I will consider pro bono work on a case-by-cases basis for non-profit organizations that benefit military veterans or animals.
Discounts are offered to military veterans who can provide their DD-214 showing honorable discharge.
I will consider trades or partial trades for items I want that are in good condition, or services I am in need of.
The first step is to send us an email! Be sure to include:
Your name and the names of all other parties involved (I have to run a conflict check)
What you want help with
Any documents related to your goal
For example, if you want to start a business, tell me all about it! If you need a divorce, tell me the basis for the divorce, the ages of the children if any, the custody arrangements you want, the property you own and which items you want to keep. If you want a new Will, I need to know what you own and who you want it to go to.
We respond to all emails within 24 hours (except on Sundays). If I determine I can help you with your goal, I will prepare an estimate that includes everything I will do, my fees, other agencies' fees, and your responsibilities (such as providing me the documents I need).
Once you sign the estimate, we're off and running!
We are happy to help if you are a:
US citizen born in America
small business
non-profit organization
We do not assist:
large corporations
immigrants
sex offenders
"LGBT" organizations
Anyone whose goals or views we consider harmful to American citizens.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
We reserve the right to terminate services at any time for any of the following reasons:
You lie or witthold information
You fail to provide the documents and/or information I need to complete your job
We learn you have committed an unconscionable act
We believe your legal goal would harm your family or other innocent people.
We are based in east Tennesee, BUT - if it's a job we handle, we can handle it no matter where you are! We can communicate by email, encrypted messaging, or video chat. I can transmit final documents to you, ready to print, and give you detailed instructions on what to do with them.
Not sure? Ask away!
I cannot represent you in court. I can, in very limited circumstances, assist your lawyer as a paralegal and/or investigator. However, I only do this for one of two reasons:
I genuinely believe you are innocent of the crime you're charged with. I will not assist guilty parties in trying to reduce their sentence. UNLESS...
You have been charged with a "hate crime." I will assist your lawyer gladly because I do not believe thoughts or feelings should be criminalized in a free country - only the actions that caused harm.
I would consider this on a case-by-case basis, but cannot advance costs. I can suggest ways to keep your costs low, however.