Lite Review

For the purpose of this discussion, we will assume that you have created yourself a list of attorneys whom you think have every potential to handle your case as you see fit. You have done the necessary background check on each and every one of them. You have also created a list of questions to ask these legal counselors on your initial interview.

However, that is only a small fraction of what is required of you. As the client, you also need to do major research and preparation regarding your case as well. Unsurprisingly enough, people assume that when they hire a lawyer, that lawyer is supposed to do all the leg work and paper trails. Not so – any legal counselor also has the right to turn away business, for one reason or the other; and they are not supposed to do all the preliminary work by themselves. As a client, you need to present your case as clearly but concisely as possible.

The lawyer will most likely be asking you questions as well. Some of these questions may be blunt, but if it pertinent to the case, you should have a ready answer for these inquiries. Also, you may find that some lawyers do charge a fixed rate for an initial interview. If so, you certainly would not want to waste time fumbling incoherently with the case you have.

Here is a guide as to what you must do in order to present your case as clearly as possible the first time round.

1. Take down all pertinent notes as to the facts of your case. Before you can actually tell the lawyer in question what you want to happen, you must give the pro a solid background regarding all parties and circumstances involved.

If you are up against your spouse in a child custody case, you must at least have a documentation of your marriage, documentation of your children’s birth certificates, etc. If you can provide other valuable papers like your spouse’s financial status, then things may go more smoothly for you.

If you are up against a company or an establishment, you may want to present documentations of your work contract (if you are working there) or terms of use (if you are renting a spot.)

2. If you have already scheduled an initial meeting with a lawyer, it would be prudent to call beforehand and ask what documents they would like to see. If the attorney in questions asks for a certain document or paper (say, pictures of the children in your child custody case, or their school admission slips) then you should take great measures in acquiring these.

3. Very clearly tell the legal counselor what you want to happen with the case. Give a very thorough description of what you want. If it is a divorce matter, tell the attorney whether or not you would want to keep your children, if your ex-spouse would be allowed to visit the children, if the properties to be divided have to face contention, etc. By defining clearly your goals on the onset, the lawyer can then make up his or her mind as to how to best help you.

4. Be prepared to listen. You do have to remember that when you hire an attorney, you are hiring someone who will both work for you and work with you. In other words, you become a team. A good lawyer can advise you as to what necessary steps must be undertaken to ensure success in either the settlement or in the court proceedings.

Nonetheless, a good attorney will also advised you on some areas of legal technicalities, and whether or not you actually stand a chance of winning anything over the other party. Be prepared to listen, and ask what his or her plan of action is. The legal counselor should be able to give you other options.