You Matter. Your First Visit to See a Lawyer
There’s a reason why you need to see a family law lawyer now.
The need can become pretty overwhelming in your mind.
Time is important to you and your family.
Here’s what to do.
- How you do see the problem? It’s your perspective on what’s been happening. Include the dates when important events happened, the people who were involved, and places where the events took place.
- What hurts? Your relationship? You’re worried about the children? Overwhelming financial concerns? Separation and divorce? You’ve been asked to sign a prenup agreement and you don’t understand the document you’ve been given?
- Canvass your friends, family, and co-workers. They may know someone trustworthy, competent, and of excellent value.
- Conduct an online search for the location of the closest lawyer’s office to your work. You want the meetings to be confidential and nearby.
- Check out the lawyer’s credentials, website, LinkedIn profile.
- Make the appointment to see your lawyer if you are satisfied that this lawyer is worth meeting. Bring your photo identification, your story and a cheque or money order as requested to cover any consultation meeting fees.
- Tell your story in your own words.
- What important events have happened?
- What do you need to have happened now? In 6 months? In one year?
- What essential things do you want to happen to make you feel better and that your needs were addressed?
- Consider your experience with that lawyer. Did she hear your concerns? Does she understand you? Did she offer realistic plans to reduce your distress and help you?
- If the answers are yes, yes and yes, you trust the lawyer to help you reduce your pain and find solutions at a reasonable cost.
- Set the next appointment to retain the lawyer and get down to work. Gather all the documents the lawyer needs to review, develop your thoughts into what you want to accomplish, settle your expectations towards a reasonable path and be prepared to receive the best legal advice to move forward.