The simple fact of life is that there are some things that happen in a big city that simply don’t happen in a town or village. A city, like Toronto, is where people tend to hear the sound of sirens more often and the sound of birds less. One thing that both do have in common, however, is that they all have a need for family law at one time or another.
People who have found a new family lawyer might be asking themselves what they should do or say when meeting with their new family attorney the first time. Here are a few tips to get the average Torontonian started:
First of all, relax! The lawyer is there to serve you and you are paying them very well for their services. That means that you can relax around them just as you would around any other professional in your everyday life.
Ensure that you come to payment agreement early on. This probably won’t be the first thing out of your mouth, and it probably won’t need to come out at all. Most lawyers will mention it as some time or another, so be patient. If the lawyer doesn’t bring it up by the end of the first meeting, then the client should. It’s not a big deal, and it is in the family law practice’s interest to know exactly how and when they’re going to get paid.
Realize from the get-go that you need to be a good fit. Lawyers can be a bit intimidating, yes, but they also need to know that they can work with a client, just as much as they do. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get a better idea of what kind of personality their family lawyer has. If a client clashes with their own lawyer, it’s best to find a new one.
Most importantly, be prepared. A family lawyer is there to help their clients, but if the clients come in with just a story and nothing to back it up, the lawyer is going to have to call it a day and make another appointment. The lawyer will likely want to get started as soon as they can, and supplying the relevant materials is always a big plus for them.
For what a person can expect, always expect a family attorney to be professional, prepared, and ready to listen. They need to know everything they can about the case, so they are more than willing to take in all the specifics of the case, so don’t be afraid to tell them.
Also, keep in mind that family attorneys are generally compassionate, but they have limits, like anyone else. They are, after all, people, too! They are not family members or close friends. Don’t expect them to do more than their job requires. They don’t write Dear Abby articles and they aren’t psychologists! So, expect them to be sympathetic, but don’t use them as a steam valve, either!
