Frequently Asked Questions
If school has stopped making sense, this page is here to make the next step easier. You do not need to have everything figured out before you reach out. These are some of the most common questions parents have before they book a call, hire me, or explore the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show.
Starting Here
Do I need to understand special education law before I contact you?
If school has stopped making sense, this page is here to make the next step easier. You do not need to have everything figured out before you reach out. I am here to help you understand the legal landscape.
What happens when I book a free call?
The core of the call is listening. I listen carefully, organize biological and educational facts, and explain the law so you see what actually matters for your child's specific situation.
Are consultation calls really free?
Yes. They are free because generous community members and monthly supporters make them possible. This allows parents to get the initial clarity they need without immediate financial barriers.
What if I am not even sure whether I have a legal issue?
That is exactly what the free call is for. Parents usually find me when school stops making sense. We will figure out together if there is a legal issue at play.
Should I book a free call or click "Hire Me"?
If you are overwhelmed and just need to begin, start with the call. If you already have a defined legal task or want to secure active representation immediately, choose Hire Me.
Privacy and the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show
Are calls private?
Yes. Every call starts as a private legal consultation. Maintaining your privacy is my first priority.
How does a call become part of the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show?
A call only becomes part of the show if you explicitly agree to it. If we both feel the strategy we discussed could help others, I will send you a formal electronic consent form. Nothing is shared without that signed permission.
Do I have to be part of the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show to get help?
Absolutely not. You can book a free call or hire me for private services and keep the entire engagement strictly confidential. The show is an optional way to help other families, not a requirement for help.
Why did you build the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show?
Because legal hurdles shouldn't be secrets. By sharing strategic insights from real situations, we can empower thousands of parents to stand up for their children armed with actual legal understanding.
What I Help With
What kinds of issues do you help with?
- Initial eligibility for Special Education (IEP) or 504 Plans
- IEP meetings and annual reviews
- Evaluation disputes and Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
- Placement disputes (Private school, residential, homebound)
- School discipline, suspensions, and Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs)
- Bullying and harassment related to disability
- Transition planning for life after high school
Do you only help with IEP cases?
No. While IEPs are the most common issue, I also help with Section 504 plans, ADA accommodations, Title IX issues related to disability, and general school enrollment or safety concerns for students with disabilities.
Do you only work with families in Utah?
For formal legal representation, yes, I am licensed in Utah. However, the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show provides general information that can be helpful to parents across the country, and I often speak or consult on broader federal law issues that apply nationwide.
Can you help if my child is in private school?
Yes. Private school students still have rights under federal and state law, although those rights differ from students in public schools. I help families navigate equitable services, dual enrollment, and disputes regarding private placement.
Working With Me
What does "Hire Me" mean?
Hiring me means establishing a formal attorney-client relationship for specific, private legal services. This is different from the general information shared in the show; it is dedicated legal work tailored to your child's specific case.
What are your paid services?
Paid services include strategic case reviews, attendance at IEP meetings, document drafting, and full-scale legal representation in due process hearings or other formal disputes.
What if I do not know which paid service fits my situation?
That is exactly what the free call is for. During that initial conversation, we can determine the complexity of your situation and which level of service—if any—is the right fit for your needs.
Do you represent every family who contacts you?
No. Representation depends on my current caseload, the specifics of your legal issue, and whether we both feel that my approach is the best way to help your child move forward.
How I Work
What makes your approach different?
I focus on turning confusing school problems into clear legal moves centered on your child's specific safety and educational needs. I don't just 'advocate'—I strategize using the law as a lever to get results schools can't ignore.
What if I feel overwhelmed and do not even know where to begin?
That is why I created the free consultation. You bring the confusion, and I'll bring the legal lens. We'll start by looking at what is happening today and identifying the very next right step for your family.
What if I just want someone to explain what is actually happening?
Then you're in the right place. Schools often use jargon and policies to mask the truth of the law. My job is to translate that back into plain English so you can make informed decisions as your child's best advocate.
Support and Donations
Why is there a donation button on the site?
Free consultations exist because generous community members make them possible. If the system has failed your child, supporting this project is one way to help parents push back — intelligently, strategically, and one child at a time.
What does my support actually help fund?
Your support helps keep consultations available, helps turn real parent questions into public education, and helps build something that makes the system easier for parents to understand.
Can I support the mission monthly?
Yes. Monthly support is critical for long-term planning and expanding the reach of the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show. You can set up a recurring contribution through the donation portal.
The Simple Version
I am overwhelmed. What should I do first?
Start with the call. That is what it is there for.
You Do Not Have To Keep Guessing
If school has become confusing, overwhelming, unfair, or impossible to figure out, the next step does not have to be complicated. Start with the call.
General information on this website and in the Ask an IEP Lawyer Show is for educational purposes and does not create an attorney-client relationship by itself. Legal representation begins only when that relationship is formally established.