Client intakes are time-consuming and often overcomplicated. There’s a reason the position for legal intake is a specialty. If you’re unfamiliar with legal intake services, read this guide for a better understanding and everything you need to know.
Ask the Right Questions
Any legal intake answering service has a standard set of screening questions to onboard clients. Standardization ensures a seamless process every time. It also prevents you (or your clients) from wasting any valuable time.
Drafting a set of screening questions depends on how well you know your ideal client type. Part of this is based on the services offered by your law firm. A standard set of screening questions might address:
- Critical information for the case
- Estimated, realistic timeframe
- Case types
- Other possible recommendations
Automate and Eliminate
Your legal intake services should save your time and reduce human error. One of the surest ways to achieve these goals is through automated processes. Starting with a standard set of screening questions begins the process.
You can follow up a screening process with automated forms. Automated forms are even more helpful with the recent shift to virtual services. Customizable forms allow you to save valuable time for nonbillable hours.
Managing other aspects of your client intake gives you more time to administrate other aspects of your business. Automated forms also reduce human error from basic mistakes.
Transitioning from paper to digital also improves the client experience. If clients can fill out intake forms at their convenience, their experience of the intake process is better.
Use Multiple Paths for Legal Intake Assistance
Attracting clients for legal intake professionals means connecting with them wherever they are. For your intake services, your marketing strategy should include any relevant channels. If you don’t know your ideal client type, you won’t know the right marketing channels.
Potential clients will find you if you market to them precisely. Whether they come from social media platforms, landing pages, ads, or other websites, they should expect a standard process. No matter the marketing channel, your contact form should be the same.
If you’re at a large law firm, client intake is a team effort. Automating client intake across different channels is ideal for independent law firms.
Standard Legal Intake Process
A standard legal intake specialist should specify upfront what client types the serve. If your intake process doesn’t clarify covered legal assistance, it lacks vital information.
Your legal intake should also address standard follow-up procedures. This should also include an appropriate window of time to review the intake form and communicate with potential clients.
Learn More About Legal Intake Services
Now you’re more aware of legal intake services; you might have more specific questions. Different law firms specialize in different client types (each with different intake processes). Consider doing more research based on your specific client needs.
For more informative content on legal intake processes, consult the rest of our content.
