Please don’t sit and wait before you do something
So many times we find ourselves in situations that we walk away from and then (Some DISTANT TIME LATER), we stop and wonder, “Have my rights been violated?”.
You know what I’m talking about when I say this. How many times have you wondered whether or not you have a RIGHT to do something or receive something as a result of the situation?
I know it’s difficult but it’s extremely important that before you MOVE on with your life that you take the time to truly evaluate your situation so you can determine exactly what your rights are. The reason being is that quite a few situations are TIME SENSITIVE and your rights must be asserted within a specific period of time. This time period is typically referred to as the “Statute of limitations”. However, several programs may have internal timelines that require you to take specific action within a definitive time period.
Be careful to make sure that you stop and take the time to check to see if you still have time to assert your rights so that you have the ability to pursue what you may be entitled to receive. The last thing you want to have is a situation where you run out of time before you even get started.
Sometimes, a BEAT down is not always necessary!
One of the toughest things that I’ve had to do as an attorney is try to explain to my clients the reality of their cases. The one thing I learned very early (even in Law School) was that everyone’s case is personal to them. Anytime you are dealing with an attorney or the law, you are dealing with a situation that is uniquely personal to you.
However, it’s really hard to separate your personal feelings in the situation from the hard core reality of that situation. It’s tougher when you’re dealing with an instance where you feel that you have been wronged or injured in some way. The fact of the matter is that we ALL want some measure of vindication.
Now, I’m not saying that every situation will have a result that is different from what you are expecting. What I’m saying is that too many times, we allow ourselves to become so blinded by our desire to have only ONE result that we sometimes don’t listen when someone is trying to explain to us the pros and cons as well as the most prudent course of action.
Listen, recognize one fundamental thing. Getting what’s BEST for you may not be what you want. Accept the fact that even though you may WANT one outcome, you may not get that outcome. Don’t knock a healthy slap in the face even if you want to give a beat down.
It takes TWO to Tango (Help your attorney out)
It’s fascinating the amount of times people call and blast their attorney when things aren’t moving fast enough or things happening the way they expect them to happen. However, there are times when people don’t stop and see what part they played in the delay. In some instances, attorneys rely heavily on the responses and information provided by their clients. As a result, the delay may be caused by the client as opposed to the attorney.
When attorneys ask you for your information, the sooner you can get it to them, the sooner they can use it to help you with your case. The fact of the matter is that if YOU drag your heals, you can’t really be mad if your attorney tells YOU that he or she is waiting on YOU!!
It gets even more frustrating when clients fail to reveal particularly useful information that 1) you’re MOVING, 2) you’ve given up your case and don’t want to go any more or 3) something that can materially affect your case but YOU decided it wasn’t important to tell your attorney.
Listen, in the legal process, the attorney has the responsibility for the strategy of the case but it’s STILL your case. Don’t drag your ass on things that the attorney needs in order to represent you more effectively. Contrary to popular belief, you are NOT handling this case on your own.
