Frequently Asked Questions


1. How do I pay the legal fees? We take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if there is no recovery, you owe us nothing for our services.

2. How do I pay for the case expenses? The Law Offices of STEPHEN L. SCHAEFER, P.C. will pay all the expenses of the case and we will be paid back by you when there is a recovery.

3. How do you decide whether you will take my case? We look at each case individually and decide, based on cases we have handled in the past, if we are the best firm for the case. Sometimes, if we are unable to take the case, we know of other lawyers who can help and we will refer you to them.

4. How much is my case worth? The value of each case is different and must be evaluated separately. In our experiences it takes time to gather all the evidence to prove the true extent of the damages. We do not want to rush and risk overlooking important information. This means that we must meet with you and devote the time necessary to fully evaluate the case.

5. I don't live in Texas. How can you take my case? The lawyers at The Law Offices of STEPHEN L. SCHAEFER, P.C. are licensed to practice in several different states. However, if you live in a state where we are not licensed, we associate local counsel and work closely with them on your case. Since we associate with local counsel we are able to appear and practice in states where we are not licensed.

6. Who from your law firm will work on my case? We will have many people working on your case. There are lawyers and legal assistants with whom you will work directly. There are also investigators, law clerks and legal secretaries all working together as a team on your case. Some of these people you will never see or have contact with. But we are all working to bring your case to a successful conclusion.

7. How long will it take before we go to trial? Most of our cases are in Texas, but we work in states across the United States. Each court in the United States differs in the amount of time it takes to bring a case to trial. Once we know what court we are in, we are in a much better position to estimate the time to trial.

8. What is a deposition? A deposition is a statement that is given under oath before a certified court reporter at our offices. When your deposition is taken one of the lawyers will be there to represent you.

9. If my case settles, how long will it take before I receive money? Once a case is settled, documents must be exchanged between all parties to the lawsuit. This usually takes 30-45 days, but may take longer if your case involves special circumstances.

10. Will you speak with me before settling my case? Yes, no case is ever settled without your agreement. Whenever settlement negotiations are initiated by any party you will be informed and it is only with your full participation, advice and consent that your case is settled.