Always be honest and open to your attorney about everything, or else, problems may develop down the road. Your lawyer will need all the information available to build a solid defense for your case. Your attorney is bound by confidentiality, which is something you need to remember.
Full Answer
: I know you can show me copies of the law and legal cases. But based on what you're seeing down at the local courthouse, in the family court mediation and custody evaluation office, with the judges, and typical lawyer to lawyer negotiations, what are the realities of settling cases and trial outcomes? As a practical matter, what really goes on?
By asking tough questions up front, you can make sure that you find someone you can trust. With a combined 30 years in family law, the attorneys at Jones Family Law Group, LLC, will provide the legal guidance you need. For questions or to schedule a …
Dec 11, 2017 · You need to keep track of all the interactions with your lawyer. Keep records of when you met, how long it took and what issues were raised, as well as what fees have been accumulated thus far. This is a good way to avoid unpleasant surprises such as shockingly large bills that make little sense to you.
Mar 28, 2013 · In the following article from Diane Mercer (attorney, mediator and author), entitled “Nine Questions to Keep Your Divorce Lawyer Honest”, she advocates that clients ask tough questions of their divorce attorney. I agree with Ms. Mercer and strongly believe that these questions should be fully addressed at the very first conference.
“ Winning cases can be lost because of a client who lies or exaggerates just as easily as because of a lawyer who tells the client what the client wants to hear instead of what is true.” So when dealing with attorneys, don’t just look for honesty—be honest.
“In my experience, a good lawyer always finds every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge, and only relents on trying a case before the bench when all alternatives have been exhausted,” attorney, Jason Cruz says. “If a lawyer suggests they want to try the case in front of a judge, you should definitely speak with another lawyer before proceeding,”
In fact, a lawyer should try to stay out of court. “In my experience, a good lawyer always finds every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge, and only relents on trying a case before the bench when all alternatives have been exhausted,” attorney, Jason Cruz says.
On reading a demand letter, the other person will often say, “this isn’t worth the trouble” and they quickly settle. But here’s a secret from Knight: You don’t need a lawyer to write a demand letter. You can do it yourself. Just make it look as formal as possible, and you may find your dispute goes away—no charge to you.
If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.
Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.
Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.
While lawyers can certainly take your money and your time and we can file a case that will be very hard to win, if you don't care enough about your life to get a contract, the judge is not very likely to be on your side. At least, not automatically. Oral contracts are extremely hard to prove. What are the terms.
If no one can confirm that the story is true, you will at least need something external, such as a hard copy document, to prove your case. Be prepared.
If the judge can see your boobs, he's not listening to your story. If I can see your boobs, then I know you didn't care enough about yourself to talk to an attorney. Dress like you are going to church. Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom.
If you care enough only to wear sweats to the courthouse, then the judge will see that you don't care, and that will be reflected in their desire to help you, listen to you, and decide in your favor. Step it up. Your case depends on it.
However, you'll likely be able to find lawyers who will work for less—especially in areas with a lot of lawyers. Cheap isn't necessarily good. Although everyone wants to save money, the cheapest lawyer probably isn't the best, especially if your problem is complicated or specialized.
You want a lawyer who knows the subject matter of your legal problem inside and out, charges reasonably, treats you with respect, and with whom you can communicate. Though no lawyer is cheap, you probably can find lawyers all over the price spectrum who can meet your needs.
An attorney and client will base a fee agreement on factors such as the lawyer's overhead and reputation, the type of legal problem, and the going rate for similar work (such as a trademark search, handling an eviction, filing bankruptcy, or preparing a living trust).