These questions and answers are for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice, nor do they create any retainer or relationship between the reader and Brown Beattie O’Donovan LLP.

How do I know if I need a lawyer?

Whether or not you need a lawyer will depend on the circumstances of your case. For more information, please submit your contact information as well as a brief description of the issues in the form provided and we will get in touch with you.

Do you accept legal aid?

Unfortunately, we do not accept legal aid as a payment option.

How long does it take to resolve a case?

The length of proceedings will depend on the circumstances of your case.  Factors that can affect the timeline include:  whether and how vigorously it is defended, availability and quality of evidence, court availability etc.    For more information, please submit your contact information below and we will get in touch with you.

How much will a personal injury case cost?

For cases like car accidents, slips and falls, and medical malpractice (among others), we generally invoice on a contingency basis. That means that we are paid a percentage of the settlement plus expenses — you don’t pay until we win. Our initial consultation is free.

How long does it take to resolve a personal injury or motor vehicle accident case?

Most personal injury cases will be resolved within 3 years.  However it is important to understand that the particular circumstances of a case may have a significant impact on the length of time needed to resolve it.   For more information, please submit your contact information below and we will get in touch with you.

How long do I have to start a lawsuit?

If you are thinking about starting a lawsuit, we suggest you contact a lawyer as soon as possible.  Deadlines for commencing a lawsuit apply in virtually every case. The particular deadline will depend on the nature of your claim and the facts of the case.

What is your fee structure for litigation?

For general litigation cases, we require a retainer before taking any action. The retainer is not an indication of the final fee. Fees are charged on an hourly basis and our lawyers’ hourly rates will vary depending on their level of experience. Contact us for further details.

What is your fee structure for real estate law?

For real estate purchases, sales, or refinances, we usually charge a set fee plus usual disbursements and land transfer tax. In most cases, we can give a fairly accurate quote once we have the details of the property subject to transaction.

I’m Buying a Home – How can I get started?

With most real estate purchases, the first step is to send us your signed offer using fax or email. This will allow our clerks to get the process started, which will typically take 3 weeks.

What is your fee structure for wills and power of attorney?

For wills and power of attorney, we have a set fee, but the fee can vary depending on the complexity of the estate. Please contact us for further details.

I need a will – how long will it take?

If it is straightforward, a will can usually be prepared within 2 weeks.  The biggest questions you’ll need to consider and be prepared to answer are: who will take care of the estate (executor)?; if you have minor children – who will take care of them?; and where/to whom do you want your assets to go?

Do you do small claims court matters?

Small Claims Court is for claims up to $35,000; you can sue for money or the return of personal property.  The Court is set so claims can be handled without a lawyer’s assistance. You can go to the courthouse and ask for a small claims package – the instructions are easy to follow.

My lawyer has retired, where is my will?

If your lawyer practiced with Brown Beattie O’Donovan, Cram & Associates, Seabrook, Miller & Trudell, Marcus Tobin, Gent Schuessler, or Gent Park, we likely still have the will.  We have the wills from the following retired and/or deceased lawyers as well as those prepared by our current lawyers.

Charles Brown

William Beattie

Vincent O’Donovan

Joseph M. Dillon

Andrew King

David Laws

Martin Marcus

Barry Tobin

David Miller

Paul Trudell

Robert Livingstone

Thomas Gibson

John Cram

Daniel Mailer

Robert Furlonger

Leo Gent

Scott Schuessler

Horace Park

Hugh Fraser

Leon Shanfeld