Those who have dealt with a divorce will agree that having a good lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. But regardless of how good of a lawyer you have, there are important steps you must take on your end to help your divorce lawyer win your case and work effectively together.
Maintaining good communication with your attorney helps you clearly understand your case and ensure that your needs and worries are heard. Your attorney’s thoughts, concerns, and legal advice are all worth listening to to maintain your expectations and strategize to have the best result for your case.
Tips For Success In The Courtroom
You’ll want a strong working relationship with your lawyer, and there are a few steps you can take to make the divorce process go more smoothly and result in a better outcome.
1. Never Hide Information or Lie to Your Lawyer
It is never in your best interest to lie or withhold any information from your divorce lawyer. Not only does it undermine your relationship with your attorney, but it also can significantly damage your case as well. If there is one person who needs to know every single detail about your case, it’s your lawyer. Regardless of the facts, a good lawyer will help you manage damage control and deal with even the worst situations in the best way possible. It is far better to address issues upfront than allow your lawyer to be blindsided at the courthouse and cause damage that could have been handled differently. If you lie in court or legal pleadings, you can be subjected to sanctions, a finding of contempt, or cause your lawyer to back out. Trust that your attorney has the experience to handle the hard truths as part of their representation.
2. Have Reasonable Expectations
There is no perfect result or promise to be made that you will get a specific result in your divorce case. Still, a reasonable attorney can usually help you have an idealistic range of possible outcomes. Managing your expectations and modifying goals to something more reasonable can often help you get the best possible results. If your lawyer has told you you have unrealistic expectations, you should listen to them and work with them in your negotiations. While you may think that your opinion and view are correct, that is not always how the law will interpret the issue. Your attorney knows the law and how your case will be handled, so let them guide you through your case so you can move on with life.
3. Keep All Your Documents and Information Well-Organized
Keeping relevant documents and information organized well in the first few months of your divorce case is extremely important. It’s a common frustration for many lawyers when they request their client’s information and records, and a client has delays or refuses to supply them with the necessary work. While it may feel unreasonable that you have to do this kind of work for your divorce case, if you want the best results, you’ll have to try to give your lawyer what they need.
4. Regulate Your Emotions
It is easy to get derailed by your emotions and become your worst enemy after divorce. People will make a few common mistakes after a divorce, like spouses leaving nasty voicemails, emails, or texts, giving away personal property that belonged to their spouse, or carrying out multiple other types of petty or angry behavior. The result of these actions can quickly provide evidence to show just how unreasonable a spouse is and can be.
5. Be Open To Your Lawyer’s Perspective
Many people may believe that if they simply got their case in front of a judge the injustice of the whole situation would be blatantly obvious, and the judge would rule in their favor. In reality, the facts of every case are different, which is why it is so important to have a good lawyer to help you make the right decisions. Your lawyer has much more experience and knows the intricacies of the law, so keeping an open mind and hearing out their strategies can help you in the long run.
6. Carefully Read Correspondence From Your Lawyer
Every time you receive an email from your lawyer, even if it appears lengthy and intimidating to read, it may contain important information and legal advice that is imperative to your case. Even if the content of the email has been discussed over the phone, it is still in your best interest to re-read emails from your attorney. It can be challenging to retain all of the information about the case, which is why it is written and made accessible to reread at a different time when you are able to understand and process the data correctly.
7. Communicate Effectively
During your divorce, you should keep an open line of communication with your attorney and their staff. Staying responsive is important in helping your attorney win your case, but ensuring clear and concise communication is vital to ensure your attorney has all the necessary information. If you communicate clearly and give complete information, your attorney will less likely need to ask you for more information continuously. You should always inform your attorney of your schedule and any ongoing issues with your ex-spouse. Keeping efficient communication with your attorney and not wasting time can result in fewer attorney fees.
Tennessee Based Family Law Attorney
These tips should hopefully help you work smoothly with your attorney throughout your divorce. A good divorce lawyer aims to win your case and with the proper support, you can make the process work out in your favor. Attorney Hunter Fowler is here to help, serving those in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and specializes in family law, divorce, and child custody cases. Contact us today.