FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answered By Our Charlotte Attorneys

At Jetton & Meredith, we are committed to providing our clients with the high-quality representation they expect. On this page, we answered some of our clients’ most commonly asked questions. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us today at (704) 931-5535 and speak with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.

  • When Do I Need an Attorney?

    Attorneys are trained legal professionals who can explain the laws to you, help you evaluate your options, negotiate or mediate conflicts with other people, prepare letters and court forms or other legal documents for you, and represent you in court.

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  • Should I Handle it Myself?

    There are a couple of questions that will help you decide whether you need to hire an attorney.

    What is at stake? Is it my liberty, my livelihood, my home, or my property? If anything significant is at stake, it is usually a good idea to at least meet with an attorney to discuss your options.

    The second question is: How complicated is this? Unfortunately, when it comes to the law, there are not very many things that are simple and easy to understand. Little mistakes in procedure or wording can seriously compromise your rights.

    Many people hire attorneys for their advice and counsel all the time. They are thinking about a problem and are not sure how to proceed, so they make an appointment to discuss their options.

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  • How Should I Prepare?
    • Organize your papers.
    • Make copies of the most important papers to give to the attorney. Keep the originals yourself.
    • If there are a lot of papers, you may want to make a summary sheet that includes important information such as account numbers. You may need to separate the papers into multiple file folders.
    • Be prepared to briefly outline your problem for the attorney.

    Write down your questions before you visit the attorney so that you will not forget to ask something important.

    Common questions you should ask:

    • What is the timeframe for your case or legal matter? Some cases have long periods of inactivity. If this is likely to happen to you, you need to know that and why.
    • How often are you and your attorney likely to talk, and who will call the meeting?
    • Will it be face-to-face contact, by mail, or on the phone?
    • If you are handicapped or have other limitations, be sure to alert the attorneys’ office at the time you are making the appointment so that appropriate accommodations can be made.

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  • Do Attorneys Always Accept Cases?

    The simple answer is no. There are many reasons why an attorney may need to decline your case. Below are a few of the common ones.

    • If the case does not meet the legal standard of a meritorious claim, attorneys cannot accept the case.
    • If the attorneys have a conflict of interest—for instance, if they have a relationship with the people or company on the other side of your problem—they cannot accept the request for representation.
    • If the attorneys are not sufficiently knowledgeable or qualified to handle the problem, they are required to decline representation.
    • If you and the attorneys cannot agree on the scope and strategy of a case, they will decline to be involved. This includes the fundamental question of whether the legal fees to be expended are proportional to the likely outcome.

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  • What to Do When You Get to the Attorneys' Office?

    Be prepared to briefly outline your problem for the attorney, and be sure to bring copies of important papers.

    The attorney will usually talk to you about several different ways to approach your problem, which vary in price, possible outcomes, and time.

    They will also tell you about themselves so that you have an appreciation of their experience in handling your type of problem.

    Be sure to discuss fees. If you decide to hire the attorneys, they will usually have you sign a fee agreement that outlines the hourly rate, the retainer or advance, related expenses, etc. Personal injury cases are frequently handled on a contingency basis (the attorney will get a percentage of the award, plus litigation expenses).

    Most other matters are priced based on the amount of time they will take.

    If a fee agreement is not offered to you, you can ask for one. This can prevent confusion later.

    In litigation such as divorce, the advance may not be adequate to resolve the problem. Ask the attorneys to estimate what they think the possible range in costs could be. If you do not understand the fee agreement, the attorney will be happy to explain it to you. In general, the more contact you have with your attorney, whether by phone or in person, the higher the fee. So the goal is usually to have as few meetings as are necessary to stay within your budget.

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  • How Do Attorneys Work?

    Attorneys are officers of the court; they take an oath to uphold the law. They are ethically bound to zealously represent their clients within the scope of the law. An attorney would have to decline a case if the client wanted him or her to do something that is outside the law such as allowing him or her or a witness to commit perjury.

    The attorney is responsible for the management of the case or legal matter. One of the hardest things for the attorney to manage is credibility. Your attorney never wants to take positions on your behalf that he or she cannot realistically defend. Your attorney may recommend that certain issues not be raised or witnesses not be called because they cause more problems than they solve.

    Your lawyer will explain your options to you and ask which you prefer. Once you have chosen a goal with your lawyer, your lawyer is then responsible for determining how to best pursue that goal. There will be conversations with the opposing side and with the judge. You will not be involved in many of these conversations. After the discussions have taken place, your lawyer will advise you as to your possibilities.

    Therefore, it is important that when you select your lawyers, you should have confidence in their ability and integrity to do the best they can.

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Client Testimonials*

The Opinions that Matter Most
    "Fabulous lawyer, highly recommend for any family law cases!!"
    Prompt, thorough, understanding and knowledgeable, are only a few of the adjectives that describe Jetton & Meredith. Fabulous lawyers, highly recommend for any family law cases!!
    - Former Client
    "A True Professional"
    Eric Meredith represented me during what turned out to be a lengthy divorce settlement. During the first meeting, he fully explained the process ahead and answered all my questions and concerns. I still remember the feeling of relief after that meeting knowing I had a true professional in my corner. Eric, along with his Paralegal Julie, kept me updated along the way and were quick to respond with any additional issues. Not only did he call with any updates to the case, he also would ask how I was doing. I cannot recommend Eric at Jetton & Meredith enough.
    - Tim
    "I highly recommend Mark should you ever need an attorney."
    I highly recommend Mark. I hired him to handle a simple assault charge that was filed against me. Mark handled it professionally and expeditiously. He explained each step in the process, and everything happened just as he described. He is exactly the type of lawyer you want representing you.
    - J&M Client
    "Great service and very personal."
    Great service and very personal. Jetton & Meredith are very hardworking attorneys. I will recommend Jetton & Meredith to anyone in need.
    - Former Client
    "I cannot stress enough how great the customer service was with Jetton & Meredith"
    I cannot stress enough how great the customer service was with Jetton & Meredith, with my case being a little more complicated I had the opportunity to work with both Mr. Jetton and Mr. Meredith. I can say they know their stuff, Mr. Jetton was able to get my case dismissed the first time we went to court, no questions asked. Working with Mr. Meredith was a longer process but he walked me through the steps and gave me realistic expectations of an outcome that he was able to provide just as he stated he would do. I couldn’t be more pleased with my decision to hire Jetton & Meredith as my attorneys, and I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of an attorney!
    - Former Client
    "Far exceeded my expectations"
    This law office far exceeded my expectations. All options and possible outcomes were set before me from the start and everything was handled in a professional and timely manner. Not only will I use this law firm again, but I would also and have already recommended them to the people I care most for. Thank you for all you’ve done.
    - Former Client

Awards & Accolades

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  • Highly Respected within the Legal Community
  • Unwavering Dedication to Client Satisfaction
  • Decades of Combined Legal Experience
  • Well-Established Family Roots in Charlotte, NC
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  • Unique & Personalized Approach to Each Case
  • Proven Track Record of Successful* Case Results
  • Numerous Professional Awards & Recognitions