Effective Communication Between You and Your Attorney
Parties often hire a domestic relations attorney when communication between the parties has, to put it politely, ceased to be productive. One or both parties might hire attorneys to help them articulate their positions in a less emotionally-charged manner.
One thing many people might not think of when they hire an attorney to be their mouthpiece is that the client and the attorney must have open and clear communication between each other. It is absolutely necessary for the client to feel like they can tell their attorney exactly what they want and why they want it, without feeling like they need to conceal certain elements of the case.
The first meeting between a client and an attorney is an opportunity for the client to decide, “Can I easily communicate with this person without feeling intimidated and without feeling the need to ‘sweeten’ my story?†An attorney cannot effectively represent a client unless the client is willing and available to assist them in the case. Clients shouldn’t feel like they need to use legal jargon or lie about their position. Chances are, although your story is very unique to you, your situation is not new to the legal world, and your attorney has experience on a case similar to your own. An attorney’s job is to counsel his or her client to find out his or her needs and wants, and translate those needs and wants into a legal position that the client can stand behind.
In some cases, an attorney or a client might decide that they are not a good match, and much like any type of relationship, the pair must go their separate ways. Both parties need to clearly express their desire to end the relationship. Clients are sometimes worried about telling their attorney that they don’t wish to have them as their counsel anymore. As a client, you should know that you have every right to terminate your attorney /client relationship. However, attorneys may have duties that extend past the termination, which might include tasks such as drafting and filing documentation requesting permission from the Court to stop working on their client’s case.
The bottom line is that you should hire an attorney to whom you feel comfortable communicating your questions and concerns. Feeling like you want to hide from your own attorney puts additional stress on your already stressful situation! Your attorney will appreciate your participation and your willingness to articulate questions or concerns, and to alleviate any ambiguities between the two of you.
With any luck, you will choose an attorney who you feel comfortable with, who understands your position, and who talks to you in a way that you can comprehend. There is no reason why attorney/client relationships have to be any different than other personal relationships.
If you have a domestic relations issue, the initial consultation is a perfect opportunity for you to state your facts and decide if you feel comfortable moving forward with that attorney in what is undoubtedly one of the more stressful moments in your life.
(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading ...