what to ask when confronted by a lawyer

When you ask questions to your lawyer, they should have your file ready and organized. They should have copies of any checks you’ve written related to your case, evidence submitted or received as the result of an investigation, pleadings from the other parties (or their own), and any other material related to the proceeding.

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What should I Ask my Lawyer when I ask questions?

When you ask questions to your lawyer, they should have your file ready and organized. They should have copies of any checks you’ve written related to your case, evidence submitted or received as the result of an investigation, pleadings from the other parties (or their own), and any other material related to the proceeding.

What should I do if I'm Not satisfied with my lawyer?

If you're not satisfied with your lawyer's strategy decisions or with the arguments the lawyer has been making on your behalf, you may even want to go to the law library and do some reading to educate yourself about your legal problem. If you've got serious doubts about how your case is being handled, see a second attorney.

How do I know if my lawyer is doing a good job?

It's often hard for a client to know whether or not a lawyer is doing a good job. But if you think your lawyer's ability leaves something to be desired, investigate -- before it's too late. If your lawyer doesn't seem to be working on your case, talk to your lawyer and explain your concerns.

How do I file a complaint against a lawyer?

File a complaint with your state's lawyer discipline agency. Every state has an agency responsible for licensing and disciplining lawyers. In most states, it's the bar association; in others, the state supreme court.

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...•

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•

How do you prepare to talk to a lawyer?

How to Prepare for a Lawyer ConsultationFinding the Right Attorney. Before you can have an attorney consultation, you need to find a lawyer who might be a good fit. ... Background Knowledge. ... The Legal Plan. ... Working with Your Attorney. ... Money Matters.

What is a good question to ask a judge?

Good questions to ask the judge include the following: “How do you like being a judge?” “How did you decide to become a judge?” “What was the most important thing that helped you become a judge?”

How do you answer a lawyer question?

Give positive, definite answers when at all possible. Avoid saying, “I think”, “I believe”, or “In my opinion” if you can answer positively. If you do know, then say so. You can be positive about important things which you would naturally remember.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What questions should I ask my lawyer mentor?

Questions to Ask Your Mentor How is what I am learning in school different from what it will be like practicing? How did you become a [insert practice area] attorney? What is a typical work day like for you? What types of cases/projects are you currently working on?

How do you know if your lawyer is selling you out?

Signs of a Bad LawyerBad Communicators. Communication is normal to have questions about your case. ... Not Upfront and Honest About Billing. Your attorney needs to make money, and billing for their services is how they earn a living. ... Not Confident. ... Unprofessional. ... Not Empathetic or Compassionate to Your Needs. ... Disrespectful.

How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

How do you address an attorney in a conversation?

Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. In the salutation for a letter or email, address an attorney the same way you would any other respected professional- using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their surname. Generally, this is the best way to address an attorney if you've never spoken to them before.

How should I dress to meet a lawyer?

The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. Nothing too revealing.

What is the name of the tort against a spouse who cheated on you?

Depending on the state you live in, there may be claims you can file against your spouse’s paramour (the person with whom your spouse has cheated). One such claim is “alienation of affection.” You typically hear about this claim when there is a headline in the news about a big monetary award given by a jury in a high-profile case. Alienation of affection – sometimes known as the “heart balm” tort – is a type of claim available for someone who believes they have been deserted or left by their spouse as the result of a third party.

How do you know if you are infidelity?

The signs of infidelity may all be there: your spouse may come home smelling like perfume or you might find a receipt for a dinner for two at the most expensive restaurant in town when you know you weren’t the one being wined and dined that night!

What does it mean when someone says they are infidelity?

Infidelity can include anything from an emotional affair or inappropriate text messages to dating or having sex with someone outside the marriage. In many states, you will have to prove that there was more than just a wandering eye or a relationship that teeters on the other side of friendship.

What to do before and after Carrie Underwood?

So before (or maybe after) you take Carrie Underwood’s advice and key the side of your spouse’s car or take a baseball bat to both headlights, it’s important to take a step back and consider the legal implications of your spouse’s cheating and the claims and issues that you may be facing. While it may seem like the end of the world, remember that the world keeps on spinning, and this too shall pass.

Can a private investigator be subpoenaed?

Although emails and phone records can be subpoenaed by the court, if you are considering separation and divorce and suspect that your spouse has cheated – ...

Can you negotiate with a level head?

It can also make negotiating with a level head difficult — if not impossible — for you. You may not want your children to be around the person your spouse was unfaithful with. While this feeling may be common, and even understandable, the way you feel may or may not matter when your custody case comes in front of a judge whose job is to rule in ...

Is it hard to focus on the legal side of infidelity?

While you’re going through the wide array of emotions that come with being betrayed by someone you loved, trusted, and thought you would spend the rest of your life with, it can be difficult to focus on the legal side of infidelity.

How to handle an abusive person?

There are seven main ways a person can be abused: physically, mentally, verbally, emotionally, financially, spiritually, and sexually. Begin to see the different types of abuse for what they are. In the beginning, this is done long after the abuse has occurred.

Why is it important to have someone hold the victim accountable for their boundary setting and enforcement?

It is important to have someone hold the victim accountable for their boundary setting and enforcement. This gives the much-needed support when the victim is again being attacked by the abuser. The only way abuse stops are for people to stand up to it. While this is difficult, it is not impossible.

What are some examples of physical abuse?

Physical abuse includes: intimidating body language, isolating a person from others, restraining to keep from leaving, being aggressive and endangering another life.

What happens if you meet with a lawyer?

If you have a meeting with your lawyer, there’s a good chance you took time off from work, secured childcare, or had other obligations that you changed or gave up in order to be at the meeting. Your lawyer shouldn’t waste your time, be unprepared, or mishandle your funds or documents.

What happens if your lawyer knows when your accident happened?

For example, if your lawyer knows when your accident happened and when the statute of limitations runs out, yet still fails to file a claim in the allotted time period, you might no longer be able to file the claim or have legal recourse.

Why is malpractice considered a legal malpractice?

Malpractice could be intentional or by accident. If your lawyer has done anything that has cost you the ability to win or settle your case, or that had a detrimental effect on your proceeding, it could be considered malpractice.

Why is my lawyer not returning my calls?

Reason #1: Your lawyer isn’t returning your calls. Lack of communication is a big problem for some law firm clients. Yes, legal practices are very busy. They have lots of clients — not just you. However, before a lawyer signs on to take your case, they need to know if the firm has the capacity to handle it. There’s no excuse for not returning phone ...

What is the responsibility of a lawyer?

Your lawyer has a responsibility to act in an ethical manner. Beyond that responsibility, they’ve actually taken an oath to uphold certain ethics.

What happens if a case is a smaller case?

It’s possible that person doesn’t have a strong grasp of the particular area of law that’s relevant. The other thing that could happen is that as a case progresses, it could begin to involve areas of law outside your lawyer’s expertise.

How do personal injury lawyers work?

Before you hire an attorney, you’ll sign a contract that sets forth the lawyer’s fees. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they get paid a percentage of the damages you receive. However, they’re also going to charge you for additional expenses that come up while the case is in process.

What to ask a friend to do if they are cheating?

You can ask that they decrease contact or give up a friendship—if the friend helped cover up your cheating partner’s cheating.

What to ask your cheating partner?

You can ask your partner to initiate conversations and provide information without being asked or you having to dig for it. You can ask your partner to move to another city with you.

Can you ask for a monthly phone record?

You can ask for monthly phone records. You can ask for proof that the affair is over. You can ask for your cheating partner to tell you immediately when the affair partner makes contact—so you two can decide together if and how to respond.

Can you ask your spouse to buy a new mattress?

You can ask that they buy a new mattress or bedroom furniture, if your S.O. brought the affair partner into your home.

Can you ask your partner to clean your house?

You can ask your partner to “clean house” on social media, eliminating potential and perceived threats.

Can you ask that they solve conflict directly instead of minimizing, shutting down, or withdrawing?

You can ask that they solve conflict directly instead of minimizing, shutting down, or withdrawing.

Can you ask your cheating partner to limit contact to business?

You can ask that your cheating partner and the affair partner limit contact to business only and your partner tells you when they had contact – if the affair partner is at your S .O.’s current job.