Loading…
In depth
Due diligence is the investigation and verification of facts before accepting a CBD case. Ancestra's due diligence includes: (1) verifying the client's claimed ancestry, (2) assessing the availability of documentary evidence (vital records, naturalization records), (3) identifying potential disqualifiers (e.g., naturalization before the next child's birth), and (4) estimating the timeline and cost.
Due diligence is typically conducted during the initial consultation and eligibility assessment. Ancestra does not accept cases that we assess as unviable after due diligence — we tell the client honestly and do not charge a retainer.
Due diligence is distinct from the case work itself — it is the pre-engagement investigation that determines whether Ancestra can and should take the case.
Related terms
A retainer is a formal agreement between a client and a lawyer establishing the scope of legal services and the fee arrangement, required before Ancestra begins work on a CBD case.
An eligibility assessment is the written evaluation of whether a person qualifies for CBD, produced by Ancestra after the initial consultation and due diligence.
An engagement letter is a written agreement specifying the terms of legal services, synonymous with retainer in CBD practice.
A fixed fee is a flat-rate pricing model where the total cost of legal services is agreed in advance, in contrast to hourly billing, used by Ancestra for all CBD cases.
A conflict check is the process of verifying that a lawyer can represent a client without a conflict of interest, performed before Ancestra accepts a new CBD case.
An intake form is the structured questionnaire that Ancestra uses to collect information from prospective CBD clients, the first step in the case process.