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How to Best Help Your Attorney: Communication and Preparation

Upon engaging an attorney to represent you, the two most important things for YOU to do are (1) communicate with your attorney, and (2) help your attorney prepare your case. You know the facts. It’s important to tell your attorney all that you remember and know. Most people aren’t aware of the amount of work that they personally need to do to help their attorney to prepare their case.

  1. Communication: When you remember a detail about your case, write it down. Convey the details to your attorney. Always provide a clear and concise Subject line for each email you send. Recalling facts about the case can often cause unpleasantness such as reliving the trauma. Such feelings can result in you writing long emails that contain so much emotion that the original details get lost. Try to stay focused and provide only the important details. Your attorney will let you know where and what he or she needs you to expand upon.

Let your attorney determine what details are important and which are not. Your attorney knows what elements need to be proven, and will let you know what details are less relevant or are not relevant at all. Keep an open channel of communication with your attorney. Make sure they always have your current postal mailing address, email address and phone number.

  1. Preparation: Your attorney needs your help in preparing the case. After you have communicated all the facts, your attorney will master them. Your attorney will guide you on what they need to prepare the case. They may do what many attorneys do: Ask you to start a calendar or diary in which you will record a chronological account of the relevant events of your case. Go back in time and write down what you remember exactly as you remember it. You never know when you’ll remember something, so keep a notepad handy. Taking pictures when the event occurs or soon thereafter can also be very important because those photos could become evidence in your case.

Gathering documentation such as bank statements takes time, so if they’re required, begin gathering them as soon as possible. Just remember that the quality of the information is far more important than the quantity. Your attorney will guide you about what to retrieve, and will examine and categorize what you provide. Last but not least, create your own file on the case by making a copy of everything you send or give to your attorney. Remember, the better prepared you and your attorney are, the better your chance of success.


About The Author

Family Law Trial Attorney
Deborah M. Truscello, Esq.
Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello
610-892-4940

Deborah M. Truscello, founding attorney of the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello, has the compassion and sincerity to truly care about your situation, and the knowledge and experience to help you. Since earning admittance to practice law in Pennsylvania in 1988, Deborah has served as a clerk, civil defense litigator, plaintiffs’ civil litigator, Magisterial District Judge and solo legal practitioner. Serving clients from our Media, PA, law office, attorney Truscello has more than 32 years of legal experience and a firm commitment to working with you in your case. She also has attorneys available for cases involving criminal defense, wills and estates, social security disability, real estate, orphan’s court and the elderly.

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