You might wonder what to bring on a first date, you might wonder what to bring to a picnic or pot luck. You could wonder if you should bring rain gear, a sweater, maybe even an overnight bag if you are heading out to a weekend that could easily be extended. Have you ever stopped to wonder however what to bring if you are making a first visit to an attorney? Chances are, it's the last thought anyone might have because, I am not too sure that visiting a Family Law Attorney like Shon Cook is ever in the "plan", but, life happens and she's there to help if needed.
As we discuss in this weeks episode, and while it's never directly mentioned, like anything else in the legal world, the first visit is part of the process. There won't be an "ah-ha" moment on your first visit, there won't be a time when the attorney says "we can wrap this up in a week" and it's not going to be what you see on tv or in a movie. Your first visit, will be met with an intake form and on it, there are questions designed to get your attorney up to speed on the basics of what you are seeking. It's the beginning of the work and it's essential that their starting block is set perfectly so they can begin to ask the proper questions of the people and entities involved. An initial consultation might be in the ballpark of 30-45 minutes depending on the schedule, case load and circumstances and of course, that could flex depending on the situation.
After that form and the initial meeting, Shon and her team start to go to work on what's needed. It could be a litany of documents, it could be any photographic evidence you might have, it could be any number of things that will help her and the staff get to the best outcome for their clients. That's always the goal. Legalities are rarely a quick fix in reality and Shon does an amazing job this week in explaining what's needed in the very beginning of an attorney/client relationship. Take a listen.
There could be a myriad of emotion on your end at your first meeting. It's understandable if you are dealing with a custody or divorce situation. These are difficult life circumstances and why attorneys are in business in the first place. The key is to find the attorney that's right for you and to trust in the process. You are paying for an expert service and like any other specialized field, trusting them is a major key to success. We talk week in and week out with Shon about all of these nuances because her feeling is that the more people know and understand about her field, the better and if and when the time comes that a hand is needed, well, you've already got a pretty good idea who's helping you if you call Shon to help. You can reach her office at 231-894-0909. You can
