After a brief hiatus due to general mayhem of the Holidays, here we are again with another red hot article on the demystification of legal services.
So we're coming to the end of this series and I've been brainstorming about what aspects of law practice are most important to you as our clients and professional partners?
Well having talked with many people about their experience with lawyers, it seems like the communication process with your lawyer may most important of all. After all, you are hiring someone to partner and work with you to address your legal area of concern. Perhaps you are in the midst of a great deal of stress due to a legal dispute or divorce. Perhaps you need to take steps to complete some critical estate planning or business planning documents. Maybe you are buying your Florida dream home and need contracts reviewed or a real estate closing performed.
Whatever your concerns, it seems as if, based upon the feedback I receive, that communication with your lawyer must be open and available as well as clear and effective. Unfortunately it also seems like this area often easily can fall by the wayside.
So as always, I will attempt to give you some constructive suggestions in this area. First, hire a lawyer that you feel understands and empathizes with your concerns. Most people can feel whether someone is sensitive to their concerns and it is important because hiring a lawyer is a relationship. Second, hire a lawyer who is willing to tell you the hard truth. Is this a contradiction? Absolutely not...
Sure, we all like to have our egos massaged or sunshine blown in our direction but this isn't what you really want from your lawyer. You need a professional partner who offers you practical sage advice, whether you like it or not, and not someone that only tells you what you want to hear.
Finally, it is important to make the effort to be very clear with your lawyer about what your concerns AND expectations are.
In other words do not expect your lawyer to read your mind and do not fall into common relationship trap of thinking..."he should know this...she should have known that." That thinking doesn't fly very often friends...lawyers are busy people and most really want to help their clients so give them the straight scoop and help them help you by staying engaged.
Alrighty, I like this one...and I hope you found it helpful AND enjoyable.
By the way, our office handles real estate closings (commercial and residential) and business closings now and (after some difficult decision making) remains at 8695 College Parkway, Suite 2012, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Until next time friends.
SJG
