Tips for Dealing with Lawyers
- Demand respect. Use common sense. Just because your lawyer tells you to do something doesn’t mean you have to do it.
- If your lawyer is a bully get a friend or family member to help you evaluate what the lawyer wants you to do. If a lawyer agrees to something that hurts you without your consent fire them.
- Don’t pay huge up front flat fees. There is no incentive for the lawyer to work for you.
- Tell your lawyer in writing that they cannot consent to major changes that affect you such as exclusive possession of the marital home or business without your written consent.
- Tell your lawyer that you expect to receive copies of all correspondence and pleadings filed in your case. You can tell them that you don’t want them to prepare enclosure letters unless you don’t mind paying the extra fees.
- Use email. It is less costly. But do not send your lawyer daily emails.
- Do not include your emotional baggage in emails. Start seeing a therapist and get some medication to get through this. It won’t hurt your case.
- Ask for detailed bills. Most lawyers try to send you bills that lump everything together so that you can’t question the amount of time spent on something but all firms are capable of printing you a detailed bill. Helps to keep the attorney honest. Mistakes have been made.
