Going to see a lawyer? This is how to do it!

There is no reason to be embarrassed about a legal problem.  Many people feel uncomfortable with the legal process because it is foreign to them.  You are forced to trust a stranger with a very serious problem, and many stressful factors (besides the heart of the problem) will make the situation difficult.  I am sorry you have to go through that, but there are some important things to think about that will make the whole situation much easier for you.

First, when you have your lawyer, be honest.  To do the best for you, your lawyer must know all the facts.  It can be difficult to admit every detail, but it is much better to be prepared, rather than having only the opposition knowing a secret fact.  You and your lawyer have attorney-client privilege, so don’t be afraid to get the whole issue on the table—and get all the details out there.  It will serve you with the best result in the end.

Know what you want, and try not to think in abstracts.  What is the end game that you really want out of this case?  Is it to make as much money as possible, or keep as much money as possible?  What are the realistic numbers for you.  You may not have all the answers, but be prepared to lay out some realistic ideas, and also be prepared to adjust your financial interests.  When we think about law cases, we think about the end being justice.  In civil cases, the way to give justice is to reward money—so make sure you are have some real numbers that you want out of the process.  If you go in with unrealistic numbers, you will be disappointed.  One of the best ways to be pleased with an outcome is to be realistic.  Think about what you want and what you need, and know the difference.  You can go after both, but knowing which is which is very important.

One of the hardest things to do in any conflict is look at it from another angle.  As we entrench ourselves deeper into a conflict, it is human nature to examine facts and outcomes in the scope of being right.  I recommend you put yourselves in your opponent’s position.  Think about what they think.  This can give each party more understanding, less stress, and a more amicable way to agree—rather than a high stress, high worry competition, not knowing if you will get any benefits.

If this sounds like it is all about getting an easy outcome, that isn’t the case.  You can let your lawyer be the zealous advocate for you, trying to get everything possible, but when meeting your lawyer, don’t treat them like an opponent.  They are your guardian, your teammate, and your confidant.  Be realistic with them, and they can best fight for you.