If you're going through a divorce or a custody battle and need a family attorney, meeting with an attorney for the first time can feel a little intimidating or overwhelming. However, if you know what to expect, you'll handle the experience better.
By avoiding the following six mistakes, you'll get off to a good start with your family lawyer and you'll get on track to resolving your family dispute without stress and unpleasant surprises.
Not taking the time to prepare questions before the meeting
You're only going to have a limited amount of time with your lawyer, and you need to take full advantage of it. If the lawyer is providing you with a free consultation, it's especially important to optimize your time and get as much information as you can out of the experience.
Jot down any questions you have before the meeting and make sure you ask them. Also, make a note of anything you need to discuss with the attorney beforehand so that you don't forget during the meeting.
Forgetting important documents that are relevant to your case
If you are meeting about a divorce or child custody issue, you should have a copy of the petition for marriage dissolution if it has already been filed.
You should also bring along any financial documents reporting your earnings and the earnings of your spouse since dividing finances is an important part of any divorce.
Not having copies available of relevant documents
Not only should you bring important documents with you, but you should also make copies of them. A lot of attorneys will want to keep a copy that they can reference when working on your case, and handing over original copies is not always a good idea.
Being distracted or cutting the meeting short
You should silence your cell phone and focus completely on your discussion with the attorney during the meeting. If you're distracted or you leave early, you won't learn as much as you can from the meeting and you might forget to cover important points.
Scheduling your consultation for the last minute
You need to plan things in advance. Your attorney may not be able to make a court appearance if you schedule a consultation last minute and he or she becomes aware of the court hearing too late. Plan things in advance to make sure the attorney will be able to attend.
Letting your emotions get in the way
While dealing with divorce or other family law issues can be emotional, it's important that you avoid relying on your attorney for advice or therapy. Stick to the legal issues so that you get through your divorce or other legal issue as efficiently as possible.
Share5 December 2018
Although I am far from perfect, I have focused on abiding by the local laws for the vast majority of my life. Unfortunately, about five years ago, I realized that I was being accused of a crime that I didn't commit. I thought about letting the trial run its course, but then I realized that fighting would be important to ensure my future. I teamed up with a great lawyer, and things became much easier overnight. My legal counsel told me what to do and what to avoid, and he was able to prove the facts in a court of law. This blog is all about choosing to fight charges.