FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need a lawyer?
• Does Sorling have a lawyer who can help me?
• How do I contact a Sorling lawyer?
• What should I expect from my lawyer?
• How much do lawyers cost?
• Where are Sorling’s offices?
• What are Sorling’s business hours?

Do I need a lawyer?|Top of page|
The best way to find out if you need a lawyer is to talk to one. Lawyers can provide advice on a number of legal matters of importance and significance to you, your family or your business. Lawyers advise people every day on issues ranging from personal matters (wills, estates, domestic issues, buying a home) to business matters (contracts and leases) to formal legal disputes before a court.

Does Sorling have a lawyer who can help me?|Top of page|
Sorling is a general practice law firm with lawyers who have experience covering a wide range of legal issues. To see a list of practice areas in which Sorling lawyers have experience, click on “Practices”. You can also call our office and tell the receptionist you would like to speak to a lawyer about your specific problem (such as divorce, personal injury, contract issue, bankruptcy). The receptionist will direct your call to the appropriate Sorling attorney who can assist you.

How do I contact a Sorling lawyer?|Top of page|
You can always call our office during business hours at 217-544-1144 and speak to a lawyer. You can also contact individual Sorling lawyers by e-mail. You can also send us a fax at 217-522-3173.

What should I expect from my lawyer?|Top of page|
You should expect to have your legal questions promptly answered in such a way that you can decide how to proceed with your particular legal issue. Lawyers give legal advice, they do not make ultimate decisions for you. You can also expect that your discussions with a lawyer will remain confidential.

How much do lawyers cost?|Top of page|
In addition to being considered a “profession,” attorneys and law firms are also a business like any other. Generally, Sorling attorneys bill their work at a certain dollar amount per hour. The amount charged “per hour” will be discussed by the attorney before any work is done on your case. Every month you should receive a bill from your attorney showing what was done on your issue or case and the time the attorney has spent on it.

Sometimes, an attorney may charge a “contingent fee.” In such cases, primarily personal injury lawsuits, the attorney agrees to be paid a particular percentage (usually 33.3%) of any ultimate recovery. In such cases, the client remains responsible for costs of the case such as filing fees, expert fees, etc. In these types of cases, the contingent fee must be documented by a written contingent fee agreement.

Attorneys may also charge a “flat fee” for particular work. Such work might include drafting a will or attending a real estate closing. These types of fees are usually charged for work that an attorney believes will not require extensive research or time.

More and more often, an attorney may ask for a “retainer fee.” As used in today’s legal business, a retainer fee is really nothing more than paying legal fees in advance. A retainer fee is an amount of money that you will be required to pay at the beginning of the representation that the attorney will put in a trust account. You will still receive monthly bills, but as work is performed on your case the bill will be paid out of the money held in the trust account. If more time is spent on your case than you have paid as a retainer fee, the attorney may ask for additional fees or may just bill you on a monthly basis. If your case concludes (or you decide for whatever reason you don’t want to proceed) any money in the trust that has not been used to pay fees will be returned to you.

Where are Sorling’s offices?|Top of page|
Sorling has offices in Springfield and Peoria.

In Springfield, Sorling is located downtown in the “Illinois Building” at 607 East Adams Street. We occupy the 8th and 9th floors of the building with our main receptionist on the 8th floor. Public parking is available on Adams street, but also under the Old State Capitol across the street from the Illinois Building.

In Peoria, Sorling is located downtown at 401 S.W. Water Street, which is just north of the Illinois River. We occupy Suite 301 on the third floor, and public parking is available on Water Street and in the garage to the west of our office building.

Sorling also has a formal business relationship with the firm of Woods and Bates in Lincoln, Illinois, and those offices are also available to Sorling for meetings.  The Woods and Bates office is at 306 Clinton Street in Lincoln.

What are Sorling’s business hours?|Top of page|
Generally, Sorling’s business hours are between 8:30 and 5:00 Monday through Friday. Additional hours can be made available as individual attorneys may require.