FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Daniel S. Pickens Law offers transparent pricing whenever possible. Many routine matters are handled on a flat-fee or package basis, including estate planning, deeds, business formations, uncontested divorce, traffic matters, and certain contract or landlord matters. Pricing depends on the type of matter, urgency, complexity, court involvement, documents needed, and whether the matter is contested or uncontested. Court costs, filing fees, recording fees, title fees, service fees, and third-party expenses are usually separate unless specifically included in the quote. For matters that require legal review before quoting, we will collect the basic facts first and provide a clear fee quote before representation begins. We do not believe in surprise billing, and we aim to make the next step clear before you move forward.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Our process starts with a short intake so we can understand the type of legal issue, the county involved, any deadlines, and what outcome the client is trying to accomplish. From there, we determine whether the matter fits our firm’s services. If it does, we will explain the next step, quote the fee when possible, send an engagement agreement, and provide any intake forms or document requests needed to begin work. Once retained, we focus on clear communication, organized workflow, and moving the matter forward efficiently. Depending on the type of case, we may communicate through phone, email, secure document sharing, e-signature, and scheduled appointments.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Daniel S. Pickens is a licensed Alabama attorney and the owner of Daniel S. Pickens Law in Athens, Alabama. The firm serves clients across North Alabama in areas such as estate planning, probate, deeds, real estate closings, business formations, contracts, personal injury, landlord representation, uncontested divorce, DUI/traffic matters, and select employment matters. Our work requires knowledge of Alabama law, local court procedures, real estate and title processes, estate and probate administration, contract drafting, business formation procedures, and client-focused legal service systems.