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Free private organizer

Legal Consultation Preparation Tool

Create a clear, printable starting point for your first conversation with an attorney.

Use the prompts to organize what happened, what you hope to accomplish, the records you have, and the questions you want to ask. The tool does not analyze your situation or decide what information is legally important.

Guided preparation prompts
Printable meeting summary
No entries sent to us
Your entries stay on this device: this page does not submit or save the information you type. Closing or reloading the page clears your work, so print or download the summary first if you want to keep it.
Protect sensitive information: use initials or general descriptions where possible. Do not enter Social Security numbers, full account numbers, passwords, immigration numbers, medical record numbers, or confidential communications you do not need in this planning summary.
Before you begin

Aim for a useful overview

  • Describe facts in the order they happened.
  • Separate what you know from what you assume.
  • Record dates exactly when you can.
  • Bring original notices and agreements to the attorney.
Step 1Consultation basics

Provide enough context to label the summary. These selections do not classify your legal rights.

Choose the general topic that is closest to your concern.
Step 2Your concern and goals
Add a short description of the concern.
Step 3Important facts and dates

Keep this factual and concise. A detailed chronology can be created separately with the Case Timeline Builder.

This tool does not calculate deadlines. If you are unsure whether a time limit applies, ask an attorney promptly.
Step 4Records you can bring

Check the types of records you have. An attorney may request different or additional documents.

Step 5Questions for the attorney

Select useful general questions, then add any questions specific to your situation.

Prepared on this device

Consultation summary

This summary reflects only what you entered. An attorney will decide what facts, documents, laws, and deadlines are relevant after reviewing your circumstances.

How to use your consultation summary

Review the summary before your appointment and correct anything that is incomplete or uncertain. Bring copies of important notices, agreements, correspondence, and other relevant records. Keep the originals unless the attorney specifically asks for them.

The American Bar Association recommends asking about the lawyer’s experience, who will work on the matter, fees and expenses, possible outcomes, and how disagreements would be handled. A preparation summary can help you remember those questions, but it cannot tell you whether a lawyer is right for your particular matter.

For a longer chronology, use the Case Timeline Builder. To explore fee arithmetic after receiving proposed terms, use the Attorney Fee Calculator.

General reference: American Bar Association — Questions to Ask a Lawyer. Last updated: July 23, 2026.

Continue preparing

Use another private browser-based tool or browse the attorney directory.

Case Timeline BuilderPut important events and supporting records in chronological order.Build a timeline
Document ChecklistCreate a general list of records to discuss with an attorney.Create a checklist
Attorney DirectoryBrowse attorney and law firm listings by location.Browse listings

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General information, not legal advice

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