Published 20 September 2026 · Original preparation prompts · Illustrative wording, not case outcomes
Note 01
Name the output before comparing the fee
“Review this contract” can mean a conversation, a written issues list or a revised draft.
Two prices only become comparable when the deliverables match. Start by writing what you need to receive, then ask each office to identify the work included and the next stage that would cost extra.
Try askingInstead of “How much is advice?”, try “Does this cover a written review of this version, and what happens if I need amendments?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 02
An empty field is a question, not a negative
A missing consultation fee does not mean the appointment is free or expensive.
Directories capture only part of an office’s current arrangements. Treat unconfirmed price, meeting format and availability as open questions. That prevents a more complete record from looking better simply because another office has published less.
Try askingWrite “Fee not confirmed” in your comparison, then ask what the first appointment includes.
Explore the practical guide →Note 03
Put two locations in your enquiry
Where you can meet and where the matter belongs may be different.
A home address, property location, employer and hearing venue can point to different practical or jurisdictional questions. Giving the actual connection helps the office decide whether it accepts the work before you compare appointment convenience.
Try asking“I live in Canberra; the property is in NSW. Can you review this agreement, and can the first meeting be remote?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 04
The right version beats a bigger attachment pack
A folder of drafts is less useful when nobody can identify the document requiring a decision.
Keep the current document, its covering message and earlier relevant versions clearly named. Preserve originals and mark uncertainty. Ask what the lawyer wants to see rather than sending the same attachments across multiple email chains.
Try askingLabel the proposed agreement by date and explain that a later email appears to change one item.
Explore the practical guide →Note 05
Ask what the first conversation actually is
A booking, an intake call and an advice appointment have different purposes.
An office may first check the enquiry type, conflicts and capacity. Confirm when legal advice begins, who provides it and whether preparation or written follow-up is included. A submitted form does not establish acceptance of the whole matter.
Try asking“Is this call for intake, or will a lawyer review the document during the appointment?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 06
Clarify who the client is
The person arranging the meeting may be helping someone else rather than giving legal instructions.
Family, company and estate enquiries can involve several people with different roles. Tell the lawyer who needs advice and what authority documents exist. Ask how instructions and information sharing will work before assuming everyone can act for everyone else.
Try asking“I am helping my parent book the meeting. How will you obtain their instructions and accommodate their communication needs?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 07
Keep the approaching date at the top
A long background story should not bury a notice, hearing or signing request.
Show the complete document and the date stated in it when enquiring. Ask whether the office can assess it in time. Do not calculate a legal deadline from a general guide or assume waiting for an online response pauses the issue.
Try asking“I received this notice today; it lists this event date. Can your office assess the request in time?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 08
Compare one stage at a time
The cost of initial advice is not the cost of every possible next step.
Break a proposal into assessment, drafting, negotiation and any later attendance. Some stages may never be needed; others require new instructions. Asking how the office handles that transition helps you compare offers without inventing an all-in price.
Try asking“If the first review identifies a problem, what work would require a new quote?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 09
Label an estimate as an estimate
A recent account balance and an old asset valuation are not the same kind of information.
Record dates and sources beside figures. Distinguish what a document states from your own working estimate and keep unknown values visible. The adviser can then identify which information needs checking instead of relying on a polished but misleading total.
Try asking“This is the current loan statement; this property figure is an older estimate and has not been agreed.”
Explore the practical guide →Note 10
Find out what happens at the handover
A useful meeting ends with ownership of the next step.
Write down who will do what, which documents remain outstanding and how the next decision will be communicated. If the office cannot accept the work or refers you elsewhere, ask who will confirm the new arrangement. A referral is not itself a new engagement.
Try asking“Will your office send the next letter, or do I need to give further instructions first?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 11
Read exclusions beside inclusions
A clear list of limits can make a proposal easier to understand.
Ask about tasks outside the quote, third-party charges and what changes the estimate. An exclusion is not automatically a flaw; it may identify a separate professional’s role or a stage you have not requested. The useful test is whether the scope fits your task.
Try asking“Does the lease fee include advice on the guarantee, or is that a separate engagement?”
Explore the practical guide →Note 12
Check the person behind the practice name
A trading name and a directory badge do not replace a professional-status check.
Ask who would be responsible, check the appropriate official source and confirm current office details through a reliable channel. Keep professional status, service scope and capacity as separate questions. None can be inferred from the appearance of a listing alone.
Try asking“Who will handle the matter, and which professional register should I use to check their status?”
Explore the practical guide →These notes explain our comparison approach. The linked guides identify official sources for their legal-service context. Read our editorial approach.
