Frequently Asked Questions

We can meet at a location convenient for you or discuss your matter over the telephone or internet. We do whatever makes you more comfortable. If you prefer to speak over the telephone or internet, we make arrangements for you to email any relevant documents before the consultation.

You should bring any documents related to your matter or email them in advance. If you’re not sure whether to bring a particular document, please bring it. You should always tell your attorney every fact relating to your case (both good and bad), whether you think it’s relevant or not. If you speak with Chris Prusaski prior to meeting, he will tell you what to bring with more specificity. Please also bring your ID.

Prusaski-Law handles many different types of litigation and transactional matters. Areas of practice include business law, contracts, real estate transactions (including title insurance and closings), real estate litigation, torts, creditor’s rights, consumer’s rights, and estate planning (such as wills and powers of attorney). For additional details, please refer to our practice area pages. If Chris Prusaski cannot assist with your matter, he will do his best to refer you to another appropriate professional.

Prusaski-Law is committed to providing you with the most cost-effective legal representation. We have hourly, flat-fee, and contingency fee agreements. The fee arrangement is determined by the type of matter for which you require counsel or representation. Chris Prusaski provides you with an overall fee estimate, based on the fee arrangement. While he can’t guarantee that the estimate will be correct, he guarantees that you will get value for the money you spend.

Before any work on your matter begins, you and the firm agree on and sign an engagement agreement. In its discretion, the firm may also require a retainer to be paid before the commencement of any work. The retainer is held in trust as security for payment of the final invoice. If a retainer applies in your matter, the details are included in the engagement agreement. Chris fully explains all the details covered in the written fee agreement before you sign it.

The length of a case, from the initial free consultation through to the resolution of the case by settlement or court verdict, depends on several variables. It is not possible to say exactly how long a case may take.

The duration of a case is often dictated by the individual court in which the case is filed. Some courts designate a time period for discovery of evidence by each party that may be a year or longer. Other courts have a backlog of cases, and therefore the oldest cases in a county will be considered before a more recently filed case.

Though many cases settle before going to court, please keep in mind that many settlements do not occur until right before a scheduled trial. Also, in many instances the party who loses a court case may appeal the ruling or verdict, which could add another year or more of time to the process. If an appeals court determines that an error occurred, that decision could send the case back to the trial court for a new trial or new proceeding, which could further add more time to the process.

Litigation often is very unpredictable, expensive, stressful, and time-consuming. This reality is a factor that you consider and discuss with your attorney.

No. In fact, most court cases and arbitrations settle before a trial or final hearing. This fact is due to a variety of reasons, but mainly it is because of the unpredictability of a court or jury verdict or an arbitrator’s ruling, as well as the expense involved in litigating a case. However, Prusaski-Law prepares every litigation case as if it will go to trial.

When there is a significant development in your case, you promptly receive an email from Chris Prusaski explaining what happened, attaching any relevant documents, and discussing options and strategy. You are never kept in the dark about the progress of your case. You are also encouraged to contact Chris by phone or email at any time when you have questions about your matter.

Each state has laws, called the statutes of limitations, that provide time limits to file a lawsuit or claim. A lawsuit or claim filed outside of the applicable statute of limitations will probably be barred. Therefore, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after you have been harmed. The applicable statute of limitations can be determined only after your attorney knows the parameters and facts of your case.

The number one request of clients is trust. Clients should always trust that they will be promptly informed of any changes in their case, that Chris will be candid with them at all times, and that they should always tell him every fact about their case, whether favorable or unfavorable. Also, clients should always keep Chris updated as to any changes in their contact information and promptly respond to inquiries and requests for information from the firm.

The firm’s business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, but clients are welcome to call or email Chris anytime. He is always available to speak with clients, including on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Prusaski-Law accepts major credit cards. Checks should be made payable to “Prusaski-Law, P.A.”