What can I tell a lawyer?

Asked by: Prof. Jerrold Leffler MD  |  Last update: April 29, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (56 votes)

What You Should Tell Your Lawyer:
  • The Truth: It may seem obvious, but it's crucial to be honest with your lawyer. ...
  • Your Goals: Be clear about what you hope to achieve by seeking legal representation. ...
  • Your Finances: Be transparent about your financial situation, including your ability to pay legal fees.

Can you tell your lawyer anything?

Attorney-client privilege is a legal concept that protects communications between an attorney and their client from being disclosed to anyone else. This means that anything you tell your attorney is strictly confidential and cannot be shared with anyone else without your consent.

What not to tell the attorney?

Eight Things You Shouldn't Say to Your Lawyer
  • Do Not Say Anything to Your Attorney That Is Not True. ...
  • Do Not Exaggerate Your Injuries When Talking to Your Lawyer. ...
  • Do Not Tell Your Lawyer to Act On Your Behalf and Take Other Action Without Their Awareness.

What can you say to a lawyer?

Here are five helpful tips to ensure a pleasant experience and (hopefully) a successful outcome.
  • Get organized. Try to create a clear, comprehensive story of your situation. ...
  • Be detailed. Seemingly frivolous details like the weather may, at first, seem dismissible. ...
  • Be honest. ...
  • Ask to clarify. ...
  • Keep them informed.

What is the best way to win a lawsuit?

Facts. The biggest key is to have good facts. As a general rule, good facts on your side (meaning that the facts and law work together) means a settlement or win. There are outliers, but for the most part, the facts make the case. There's no way to make a steak dinner out of a pile of burnt chicken.

Make Sure to Tell Your Lawyer This.

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What is the hardest thing to prove in court?

Of those four components, causation is often the hardest element to prove in court.

Is it better to sue or settle?

Litigation takes time and often leads to more time due to appeals and retrials. You will have to be involved as the trial progresses. Whether you are the plaintiff or the defendant, if the total time spent in litigation is not worth a good outcome in court, then settlement is probably a better option.

What not to say in court?

Don't mumble; speak loudly enough to be heard by everyone in the room. Don't lie about anything, not even white [small] lies. If you are discovered to be lying, the judge may find it hard to believe you when you are telling the truth.

What to do before talking to a lawyer?

Before your first meeting with a lawyer:
  1. Jot down the key points in your case to share with them.
  2. Bring the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of everyone connected with the case.
  3. Bring all papers related to the case. Some lawyers may want to review the papers before your meeting.

How do you explain your case to a lawyer?

How to Present Your Case
  1. –Give us as accurate a chronology as possible. ...
  2. –Bring relevant documents, but don't worry if you don't have everything. ...
  3. –Be ready to explain how your life and abilities have changed. ...
  4. –Make a list of financial losses.
  5. –Think about the reasons you believe someone else is at fault.

How do you tell if you have a good lawyer?

Do not focus solely on case outcomes; read what others say about a firm's conduct. Were they professional, punctual, and supportive? Did they go the extra mile to make the client feel included in the legal process? These reviews can be helpful as you decide whether a law firm deserves your trust.

Can your lawyer work against you?

The law is clear that a lawyer cannot turn against their client, and any violation of this guideline can invite a stringent investigation from legal authorities. Accusations of treachery are taken seriously and may warrant criminal prosecution to ensure justice is served fairly.

How do I know if my lawyer is bad?

Any behavior that compromises professionalism, such as rudeness, tardiness, or lack of respect for client confidentiality, should raise concerns about the lawyer's competence. Additionally, ethical misconduct or disciplinary actions by regulatory authorities may indicate a lack of integrity and competence.

What not to tell your lawyer?

Top 5 things you should never tell your lawyer
  • My case will be easy money for you. ...
  • I have already done the work for you. ...
  • I forgot I had an appointment. ...
  • I've already talked to a lot of other lawyers. ...
  • I don't have all my documents.

Is everything you say to your lawyer confidential?

Communication between you and your lawyer in California is confidential and can't be disclosed.

Should you let your lawyer do all the talking?

In most cases, it is always best to let your attorney do the talking. If you hear a major issue or inconsistency, immediately alert your attorney privately.

Are lawyers free to talk to?

In California, as in other states, free legal advice is available by simple calling 1-800-THE-LAW2 and getting connected to one of the attorneys in our network. In fact, we've been serving Californians and the local community since the 1980s.

What to say when talking to a lawyer?

Always be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. The more your attorney knows, the more he or she can help you. Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you. Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.

How often should you talk to your attorney?

We could go on and on with many examples of when your lawyer should get in touch. The basic answer is that we feel it's at least every three months and as often as daily while important things are happening on your case. You also have a responsibility to communicate with your lawyer.

How to impress a judge in court?

Dress professionally and appropriately. It is not necessary to dress like a lawyer, but conservative and “business casual” is a good rule. Do wear tidy clothing and groom yourself neatly. You want to be taken seriously by the judge.

What colors are best to wear to court?

It's best to avoid bright colors. Whether you're a plaintiff or a defendant, dark or neutral colors like white, navy blue, and gray are the best colors to wear to court. Your attorney can offer guidance if you're unsure about what you're wearing.

What can be used against you in court?

Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.

Does suing cost a lot of money?

The Average Cost of a Lawsuit

On average, a lawsuit costs approximately $10,000 for a simple suit. However, numerous factors can influence the cost of your lawsuit.

Is paid in settlement bad?

It's a service that's typically offered by third-party companies that claim to reduce your debt by negotiating a settlement with your creditor. Paying off a debt for less than you owe may sound great at first, but debt settlement can be risky, potentially impacting your credit scores or even costing you more money.

Why do most civil cases never go to trial?

Most civil cases are settled out of court because both parties realize that it is the most efficient way to resolve the dispute. Out-of-court settlements also avoid the risk of an unfavorable verdict from a jury or judge and reputational damage.