Now, now… I’m being completely serious! Had you ever thought of this as a true statement? To many who are divorcing, they believe that the first step they need to take is to hire a lawyer. The trick is to hire the right lawyer for your situation. It may be that you need to be in court asap. If so, you need to do your research and find the right lawyer for you that will help you to achieve that resolution. It may be that you intentionally want to avoid the court process. Again, do your research to ensure that you meet with that type of lawyer. Having the right professional on your side will help to reduce your stress.
Be open and honest – Work with a lawyer who you feel comfortable with. You will be confiding in this person over the period at least until your matter is resolved. You want to be sure you are able to discuss all matters of importance with this person. If you feel that you have an outlet to communicate about your situation, your stress will be reduced. As I write that, I almost want to delete this last sentence… I am not encouraging you to use your lawyer as your counsellor or the person you call 15 times a day during every crisis. Rather, you need to be able to be open and honest with your lawyer so that they can help you through the rough patches as much as possible.
Ask questions – Be sure to ask as many questions as you need in order for you to feel informed about the law and how it applies to your situation. It’s your lawyer’s job to ensure that you understand what is going on in your file every step of the way. If you don’t understand something, you will likely mull over the issue needlessly. Ask questions. Get copies of all documents that are sent or received on your behalf by your lawyer. Keep track of the progress as you go. You will feel better knowing what is happening as it happens.
Stay positive – Lastly, rest assured that your lawyer will be with you every step until you have reached the light at the end of the tunnel. During your early separation days, you may feel intense emotions. Having your lawyer by your side, supporting you as you go through this very difficult time, can be a positive force for you if you allow it to be so.
Have you had a “good lawyer” experience? Has your lawyer helped to reduce your stress? Share your stories with me – send me an email or follow me on Twitter at @sdobsonlawyer and send me a tweet. I want to hear from you!