what information do i give to my lawyer

Be specific when referencing relevant information including names, dates and places. The more information you include, the better your attorney will be able to assist you. Keep to one main topic per paragraph, even if you have several issues to discuss in the letter.

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What should I include in my letter to my lawyer?

Finally, you should include a one-sentence description of what you would like to see happen. This will tell your lawyer exactly what you are hoping for from him or her. (For example, "I want sole custody of my daughter because I think my husband is a danger to her" or "I want to sue my former employer because I think it wrongfully terminated me.")

What should I look for when looking for an attorney?

Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include: You can often talk to a lawyer for free for at least the first conversation. Ask questions about their experience and fees.

How do I contact my attorney?

However, there are certain occasions in which you may wish to contact your attorney with a question or request. While you should always choose the method of communication that makes you feel most comfortable (i.e. by phone, email, in person), you may prefer to write your attorney a formal letter to highlight the importance of your message.

When do you need legal information?

Legal information is indicated in many more situations. If you have a question of whether or not a certain act is legal in the abstract, without regards to your specific situation, legal information will probably suffice. Legal information is typically general and devoid of any application to a specific problem. Do I Have to Pay for Legal Advice?

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

Should you disclose everything to your lawyer?

Should you? In almost all cases, the answer to that question is “no.” In California, you are protected by attorney-client privilege. California Evidence Code 954 states that you nor your attorney need disclose any information that you have disclosed in confidence.

What documents do I need to prepare a lawyer?

Drafting Legal Documents: How to Keep It SimplePlan Out the Document Before You Begin. ... Write with Clear and Concise Language. ... Ensure the Correct Use of Grammar. ... Be as Accurate as Possible. ... Make Information Accessible. ... Ensure All Necessary Information Is Included. ... Always Use an Active Voice. ... Pay Attention to Imperatives.More items...

How do I present my case to my attorney?

Consider how much you are willing to do to organize your evidence, provide your witness contacts, write down a chronology (time line) of events, and generally sell yourself to your attorney, as well as the case, by appearing organized. Tell your story in the shortest possible way.

Can you tell anything to your lawyer?

The attorney-client privilege is a rule that protects the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients. Under the rule, attorneys may not divulge their clients' secrets, nor may others force them to.

Is a conversation with a lawyer confidential?

As a general rule, any communication between a lawyer and a client is confidential and subject to the attorney client privilege. The attorney cannot tell that information to anyone without the client's consent. Importantly, this privilege applies to the lawyer's prospective clients, as well as actual clients.

What do legal documents include?

What Do Legal Documents Include?Identification of the parties.Rights of parties.Duties of parties.Cost of offer.Payment terms.Choice of law clause.Disclaimers.Dispute resolution clause.More items...

How do you write a legal statement?

Below are several tips that will help to maximize the persuasive value of your statement of facts.Tell a story. ... Don't be argumentative. ... You can – and should – still advocate. ... Acknowledge unfavorable facts. ... Eliminate irrelevant facts. ... Describe the record accurately. ... You can include law in the facts if it's appropriate.More items...•

How do you write a good legal document?

Although mastering legal drafting takes time and practice, superior writing skills are essential to success, and you can take steps to improve yours.Remember Your Audience. Robert Daly/Caiaimage/Getty Images. ... Organize Your Writing. ... Ditch The Legalese. ... Be Concise. ... Use Action Words. ... Avoid Passive Voice. ... Edit Ruthlessly.

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

How do you prepare yourself to present your case?

How to Prepare Yourself to Present Your Case in Court?1) Know the Facts.2) Analyse your case.3) Collect and Organise your documents.4) Prepare your evidence.5) Focus on the party you are representing.6) Don't forget your manners and basic etiquettes as a human.

How can I calm my anxiety before court?

Here are five ways you can shine with a calm presence in court.Stick to the Facts. ... Let Your Attorney do the Heavy Lifting. ... Get Your Emotions in Check. ... Make Sure You are Playing Reasonably. ... Take Court Seriously.

How to tell your lawyer everything?

You should: follow through on what you agree to do. prepare a written summary and chronology of events. tell your lawyer everything. understand that your lawyer has a duty to keep whatever you say confidential. inform your lawyer of new developments. respect your lawyer's time and schedule.

What to do when a lawyer doesn't communicate?

When you initially retain counsel, your lawyer should: explain the options available in your legal matter. discuss strategy.

Why do bar associations monitor lawyers?

Bar associations tasked with monitoring attorneys go after lawyers who steal or violate specific ethical rules—not lawyers who just aren't very good. Part of the reason is that what constitutes a "good job" is somewhat relative. For instance, a client might expect an acquittal in a criminal case.

What happens if you don't communicate with your lawyer?

Communication problems create problems in all types of relationships—including between an attorney and client. If you don't know what's going on in your lawsuit, you might assume you have a bad lawyer. To the contrary, your attorney could be doing a great job. Either way, a lawyer who doesn't communicate case progress is invariably increasing, not decreasing, your stress.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer?

When you hire a lawyer, it's important that your fee agreement is in writing and that you understand it. It's a simple way to avoid a common cause of contention with clients—the legal bills.

Can you hear from a lawyer who is in trial?

For instance, it's common to hear less frequently from a lawyer who is in trial. But someone in the office should be able to explain when you'll hear from your attorney and assure you that the office is handling your case appropriately. Find out how to hire the right attorney.

Can a client expect an acquittal in a criminal case?

For instance, a client might expect an acquittal in a criminal case. However, other private criminal attorneys might consider a reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor charge a job well done.

How to communicate with a lawyer?

Lawyer communication, competency, ethics, and fees are important aspects of an attorney-client relationship. As a summary you can expect your lawyer to do the following: 1 Give you advice about your legal situation 2 Keep you informed about your case 3 Tell you what he or she thinks will happen in your case 4 Allow you to make the important decisions regarding your case 5 Give you an estimate about what your case should cost 6 Assist you in any cost-benefit analyses that you may need 7 Keep in communication with you 8 Inform you of any changes, delays or setbacks 9 Give you the information you need to make good decisions, and 10 Prepare you for your case, including deposition and trial preparation.

What are the most common problems lawyers have with their clients?

Fees. Disputes regarding attorneys' fees are perhaps the most common problem that clients have with their lawyers. Fee disputes typically arise for many reasons, but the following are the most common: Complaints about bills being too high. Disagreements over what kinds of fees would be charged to the client.

What is lawyer communication?

Lawyer communication refers to the correspondence and communication between a client and his/her attorney. If you have a lawyer communication problem, you may be wondering if you have a bad attorney or if he or she is doing a poor job on your case. You should know that many states have laws regarding when and how a lawyer must communicate with clients.

What happens if my attorney doesn't respond to my question?

If your attorney does not respond within a business day, he or she should provide you with a reason why they were unable to answer your question (typically, if your lawyer is working on multiple cases, he or she may be tied down in court on some days).

What is billing at an attorney's rate?

Billing at an attorney's rate for work done by a paralegal or legal secretary. Complaints regarding over-charging for time spent on a case. The first thing that you should do upon finding and hiring the right lawyer for your case is to make sure that you get the fee agreement in writing that you can understand.

What is competency in law?

In addition to lawyer communication problems, you may also have problems with the competency of your lawyer's work. Competency relates to the core knowledge and expertise of an attorney in handling a client's legal issue. You should remember that lawyers are not machines and they are just as capable of making a mistake as anyone else ...

What do lawyers want to see?

In addition to learning about you and hearing your narrative, your lawyer will also want to see documents and evidence, both for informational purposes and to help assess the strength of your case. Obviously, the nature of the evidence will vary dramatically from one type of case to another. As you prepare to meet with your lawyer, try ...

What to know before meeting with a lawyer?

Before you get too far into a meeting or conversation, the lawyer will want to know about any possible conflicts of interest that might prevent him or her from ethically representing you.

What are the goals of a lawyer?

Typical goals might include: review and provide comments on a contract or legal document. draft a will.

What documents are used to dispute a contract?

contracts (such as employment agreements , leases, promissory notes, and the like) financial documents (for example, if you'll be drafting a will or starting a company) correspondence (letters, emails, or text messages between you and the other party or otherwise relevant to your dispute)

How to respond to a legal complaint?

respond to a legal complaint, lawsuit, or threatening letter. research whether you have a meritorious legal claim against another person or entity. draft a legal complaint or demand letter to another person or entity, or. negotiate a lease, contract, or other agreement.

What to include in a dispute narrative?

Some important details to include in that narrative include: names of the key players in your dispute. date the dispute or problem began. type of the dispute (harassment, contract, divorce) key events of your dispute, including a "who, what, where, when and why" narrative, and. current status of your dispute.

What to ask a lawyer about a case?

An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used. Find out if your attorney will attempt to settle and if mediation or arbitration are options. Think about the answers and if you are comfortable with them. Maybe you want to avoid a trial at all costs but your attorney really wants to just go to trial, or perhaps you have no intention of settling and want your day in court. It is important that your lawyer’s strategy lines up with your needs.

What is a meeting with a lawyer?

Meeting with a lawyer for an initial consultation is generally not a chance to ask legal questions that are in depth, but is instead an opportunity to get a sense as to whether this lawyer is the right one to handle your case. Use this meeting to help you decide which lawyer will be the best one for your case.

Why is it important to meet with a small business attorney?

Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting.

Why do lawyers offer free consultations?

Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you. Going to the first meeting with some simple questions can help you ensure you find the right person for the legal help you need. You will not get much legal advice at this consult since it is not meant to resolve your legal ...

Can you ask where an attorney went to law school?

It is generally not very helpful to ask where the attorney went to law school since you can find this information online and it often tells you nothing useful anyhow. Focus instead on experience with your type of case. You can also ask the average verdict the lawyer has obtained in your type of case.

What to Look for in a Lawyer

Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include:

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Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

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.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. 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.

Why is credibility important in court?

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.

What to say when a judge can see your boobs?

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.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

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.

What to do if no one can confirm a story is true?

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.

Can a lawyer take your money?

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.

How to write a letter to an attorney?

To write a letter to your attorney, start by writing your address, and, if applicable, your email and cell number in the upper left corner of the page. Under this information, include the date and your attorney’s name and address. Finally, include your case number or your full name.

Where should my attorney's name be placed in a letter?

Your attorney's name and address should be placed on the left regardless of whether you are using full block or modified block format. If there is a paralegal that is working on your specific case, you may wish to write to include it in parenthesis next to the attorney's name.

What to do if your lawyer is not working?

If you are concerned your lawyer is not working on your case, write him a polite but firm letter explaining your concerns. If you feel more comfortable emailing or calling him, that would be fine as well. You are under no obligation to express your concerns in a formal letter.

What can an attorney do for you?

An attorney can help you navigate through complex legal problems and advise you on the best course of action, whether it be litigation, informal settlement negotiations, or a settlement demand. If you are sued or believe you need to sue someone over a contested legal matter, an attorney can help you.

What are some examples of legal advice?

Some examples of legal advice include drafting legal documents or contracts that affect the rights of a person, representing someone in a court of law or in a legal matter, negotiating the rights of a client, and advising someone about specific legal matters.

What to do if you don't understand a contract?

Also, if you are faced with a contract which you do not understand, you may want to seek a lawyer to advise you of what the contract says, and how it might change your legal situation. Legal advice is very detailed and tailored to particular predicaments. Legal information is indicated in many more situations.

What is a legal statement?

It is simply a statement of what the law is, without any application to your particular situation, leaving up to you the decision of how to proceed. Given the costs associated with hiring a lawyer, it is good to know when you need legal advice, and when you simply need legal information.

Is there free legal aid?

There may also be free legal aid provided to you depending on the area of law. Certain websites can put you in touch with an attorney immediately to answer some basic questions for free, but they often require payment for more in-depth advice or answers to more complex questions.

Is legal information general or devoid of any application?

If you have a question of whether or not a certain act is legal in the abstract, without regards to your specific situation, legal information will probably suffice. Legal information is typically general and devoid of any application to a specific problem.

Can a non-lawyer give legal advice?

In general, only a licensed attorney can give legal advice, but there is distinction between “legal advice” and “legal information.”. Any non-lawyer can simply recite laws, but it is illegal for a non- lawyer or unlicensed attorney to offer legal advice or represent someone other than herself in a court of law. ...

What is the job of a lawyer?

Communication. A lawyer must be able to communicate effectively with a client. When a client asks for an explanation, the lawyer must provide it within a reasonable time. A lawyer must inform a client about changes in a case caused by time and circumstances. Fees.

How should a lawyer act in both professional and private life?

How a lawyer should act, in both professional and private life, is controlled by the rules of professional conduct in the state or states in which he or she is licensed to practice. These rules are usually administered by the state’s highest court through its disciplinary board.

Why should a lawyer refuse to take a case?

Unnecessary delays can often damage a case. If, because of overwork or any other reason, a lawyer is unable to spend the required time and energy on a case , the lawyer should refuse from the beginning to take the case. A lawyer must be able to communicate effectively with a client.

What to do if you have a complaint about a lawyer?

If you believe you have a valid complaint about how your lawyer has handled your case, inform the organization that governs law licenses in your state. Usually this is the disciplinary board of the highest court in your state. In some states, the state bar association is responsible for disciplining lawyers.

What is the relationship between a lawyer and a client?

In a lawyer-client relationship, acting responsibly involves duties on both sides—and often involves some hard work. You have a right to expect competent representation from your lawyer. However, every case has at least two sides. If you are unhappy with your lawyer, it is important to determine the reasons.

What to do if your lawyer is not responding to your complaint?

If your lawyer is unwilling to address your complaints, consider taking your legal affairs to another lawyer. You can decide whom to hire (and fire) as your lawyer. However, remember that when you fire a lawyer, you may be charged a reasonable amount for the work already done.

What happens if your lawyer doesn't communicate?

A lack of communication causes many problems. If your lawyer appears to have acted improperly, or did not do something that you think he or she should have done, talk with your lawyer about it. You may be satisfied once you understand the circumstances better. I have tried to discuss my complaints with my lawyer.