Forging The Best Client-Attorney Relationship

How To Be The Best Possible Client

The best client is one who has thought realistically about what they want to achieve. There are some things that you can get from your case and there are some things you cannot. Many clients have a lot of emotions wrapped up in what they bring to an attorney and some of those are not going to be satisfied with what you can do through the law.

For example, in a family law setting or a divorce situation, you will never be able to force the other side to say, “I’m sorry”. There are some things the law cannot deliver.

On the estate side, many clients expect that assets will automatically and quickly be distributed in the best possible way. Myths that are unfortunately promoted by television and media, but that rarely happen, these things will almost always take time.

The best clients are those who can separate out the emotion and the legal remedies available to them. And it will not just make for a better experience and working relationship, but it will also lead to a better outcome for you as a client.

It is not always an easy task to accomplish, however, but that’s where having the best lawyer will help. A clear discussion of what is available to you as a client, through the law, at the outset can help to set realistic expectations and make sure you walk away confident that you made the best choices.

Navigating The Emotional Difficulties Inherent In Family Law Or Estate Cases

Sometimes client behavior can be actively detrimental to the outcome of their case. One of the worst things a client can do, for example, is to communicate with people who are involved in the case in a negative manner. It simply never helps. Even though, as we have mentioned, these are emotional situations, venting your emotions at people involved in the case will only make things worse.

You need to find a safe place to vent those emotions. Even the best attorneys can only really help you deal with the legal, rather than emotional burdens that come with a divorce, or even death. I often recommend counseling to clients when they’re going through difficult family law matters or even after a death in the family.

One would hope that a death in the family would bring family members together. More often than not, unfortunately, it tears families apart, which is incredibly tragic to witness (especially when it could have been avoided with proper estate planning beforehand). Rather than undermining your case by taking that anger or pain out on your siblings, nieces, or nephews, it’s much better to seek a counselor and allow those feelings to come out there.

A good attorney however, even if they cannot be that emotional source of support, will have considerable empathy for your situation, understand what motivates you, and be prepared and able to help you reach the best possible outcome.

A Good Attorney

As I have stressed throughout this book, I think the most defining feature of a good attorney is strong communication. If you can maintain good communications with a client, and develop the skills to draw the information that you need, understand their expectations, and identify their blind spots you will truly be able to serve your client well.

Which is half the purpose of this book. Building the foundations of that relationship so that I can best serve you as your attorney, and together we can reach the optimal outcomes for your case.

Final Thoughts – The Risks Of Handling Your Case By Yourself

These days, online tools proclaiming to facilitate a number of processes are cropping up more and more, and clients might be tempted based on those, or their experience of law on television, to handle their case alone without legal assistance. While I can understand the desire, and temptation, to do so, I have to advise you against it.

The law requires substantial knowledge and experience which the average person simply does not have. While there is always a cost associated with hiring an attorney, the costs of failing to do so are rarely clear but can be far more significant.

In addition to helping you avoid sometimes staggering costs, a firm like ours can set you up for future success which would be very difficult for you to accomplish on your own without that experience.

Put Your Legal Needs In Good Hands, In A Strong Relationship

I have been in practice for over 30 years. I have seen just about everything come my way. I have the experience as well as the legal and communication skills to know what my clients need, and how to deliver it. Even when the clients themselves do not always realize what they require.

Having my firm represent you can save you from future problems that you don’t even know are there. And that, I think, is the greatest value of having a smaller, quality, and communication-focused firm help you through either your family law or your estate planning needs.

With the guidance of a skilled attorney for Estate Planning & Family Law, you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we’ll make it look easy. For more information on Estate Planning & Family Laws in Colorado, a initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (719) 985-8192 today.