Your Initial Consultation
Preparing for the First Meeting with Your Attorney
If you have reached the point where you are considering contacting a
family law attorney, you are probably undergoing an emotional and stressful time
in your life. Though it will be difficult, you will need to sort out your
emotions from the facts in order to proceed because, even in family law
matters, the court will use a rational, business-like approach. The advice
and involvement of an experienced family law attorney will help.
The job of your attorney is to use your knowledge of the facts to counsel
you on the relevant issues of your case and to help you approach your
situation with reason rather than emotion. Many people are surprised by
what they learn during an initial consultation, because they don't anticipate
all the factors that may affect the likelihood of achieving a successful
outcome, How could they? An experienced attorney is trained to apply the
law to your particular situation and to work with you to get the best
results possible.
After you decide to make an appointment for your initial consultation,
create a list or timetable of the events that caused you to turn to a
lawyer for your family law case. During the discussion, you may have to
address several upsetting issues and the lawyer may ask you some disturbing
pointed questions. You do not have to worry about shocking the lawyer
- an experienced attorney has probably heard a similar story. If your
attorney doesn't know all the facts, he or she can't be as effective as possible.
The other important thing to keep in mind is to ask questions. Make a list
so you don't forget to ask the things that matter to you. The adage, "There
are no dumb questions" is true. Your attorney does not expect you
to understand all of the issues or legal terms and will do his or her
best to avoid complicated legal language. But if you don't know the meaning
of a legal term or any legal procedure, ask for clarification. You need
to understand everything that is going on so that you can make the best
decision possible.
All of the information you provide your attorney, or that is discovered
during the case, is protected the the attorney/client privilege. It is
imperative that you be fully honest with your attorney.
- NICHOLAS T. EXARHAKIS
- 132 Holiday Court, Suite 206
- Annapolis, Maryland 21401
- 410-224-7464
- nickexarhakis@comcast.net