Don’t worry – we are not offended. Seeking legal counsel can be a dreadful process, and even the kindest of attorneys can be intimidating. We really don’t like that reputation and hope to eventually earn your trust and be your first call with many major life events. To put you more at ease in making that call, think about these five tips from Church, Church, Hittle + Antrim to make the process slightly less arduous:
Tip #1: Planning in advance will save time and money
Attorneys are not cheap, and our time is our inventory. The more prepared and organized you are, the better you will feel about your time and money spent.
Tip #2: Give us all of the information
Even if there is a small fact you think is unimportant, we are better equipped to do our job well with all of the facts. If there is something you are concerned about sharing, keep the attorney-client privilege and confidentiality in mind and be honest. We are here to represent you and your interests.
Tip #3: Ask all of your questions
There are likely a number of burning questions racing through your mind before picking up that phone (or sending that email). You’ve heard the saying, “There’s no stupid question.” We mean that. This is your legal matter, and you have the right to be informed on it. It is easy for us to make assumptions about your baseline understanding of legal terminology and the system, so sometimes we need a reminder to break things down. If you’ve never had any experience with the process, then there’s no reason you would know a lot of things!
Tip #4: Share your concerns
We can often help to put your mind at ease with more information or risk analysis if we know what keeps you up at night about your legal matter.
Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to follow up
If your matter requires immediate attention, or we aren’t getting back to you as quickly as you’d like, give us a nudge. We are in a client-service industry, so you should not feel like a bother or burden to an attorney.
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Created in partnership with Church Church Hittle + Antrim.
Leslie M. Gieger is a partner at Church Church Hittle + Antrim. As Indy Maven’s exclusive legal partner, Church, Church, Hittle + Antrim is a full-service law firm with six locations throughout the state of Indiana. They’re here to help Hoosiers handle the impact of any legal issues or challenges, from family law challenges to estate planning to personal injury, and beyond. Contact them today for a partner you can trust.
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