The outcome of a meeting with an attorney for the first time is usually unknown and causes a little bit of stress and anxiety. But it also gives you the opportunity to find out if the lawyer is good enough to be your representative in court.

Meeting with an attorney for the first time is very important, but a lot of people have little or no experience with lawyers. In this post, we have outlined tips that can help you make the most of your first meeting with an attorney.

1. Schedule an appointment

Schedule your appointment in advance as this will help both parties prepare well for the meeting. It is also important for you to know whether the lawyer is going to charge you for your first appointment. Some lawyers charge while some offer free consultation for the first meeting.

2. Have your case outline and questions ready

Prior to your appointment, make sure you write down a list of questions you have and information you want to share regarding your meeting. This helps you to keep your discussion with the attorney right on track. Some lawyers will most likely issue questionnaires relating to your issues to you during the meeting, but it would much better for you to ask questions also and share important information with him/her. This will help the attorney know the specific issues you have. Remember that the attorney will keep this information confidential unless you give permission, or the law requires it to be disclosed.

3. Bring all relevant documents

In addition to writing questions and disclosing relevant information to the lawyer, make sure that you gather any documents and evidence that you think might be relevant to your case. This will help to validate the information you have and assess your case. Examples of documents and evidence include court documents, police reports, medical records, receipts for relevant expenses, financial information, birth certificates, marriage certificates, cell phone texts, emails, photos, audio recordings and videos.

4. Take Notes

Endeavour to come with a pen and paper. It is quite easy to forget whatever the lawyer says about your case. To save yourself from these trouble, write down every little and important detail of your case.

5. Be honest

Make sure that you answer all questions asked by your attorney honestly.

6. Ask about any conflict of interest.

Before you get too far in the meeting, it is a wise to ask your lawyer if there is any possible conflict of interest that might prevent him/her from ethically representing you.

Preparing for an appointment will save you time, energy and money. It is in your best interest to be fully prepared for the first appointment with your lawyer so they will have enough information to handle your case.

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Not all divorce cases end up as bitter disputes and prolonged legal tussles. Divorce law in Texas recognizes two main forms of divorce viz, contested and uncontested divorce. Unlike the contested divorce, uncontested divorces usually don’t lead to complex and lengthy hearings. In uncontested divorces—also known as Agreed divorce—both spouses agree on every issue concerning the divorce, from splitting assets and debt to child custody, child support, and alimony.

The process for this kind of divorce is straightforward and can fall under the no-fault ground—which means no party has to prove any wrong doing. Since both parties have an agreement, they may not see the need for a divorce attorney. That is not advisable. Here’s why you need your divorce lawyer to draft and review the legal documents for your agreed divorce.

An attorney will help with interpretation

Terms used in Legal documents can be confusing for an average person. Your divorce lawyer will help you interpret the requirements of your divorce application. She helps you better understand your rights regarding your assets, debts, and child custody. Also, the attorney informs you of the short-term and long-term implications of every choice you are making.

An attorney will save you time

For an agreed divorce, all issues regarding the divorce need to be mutually agreed upon. You need to be thorough. A lawyer makes sure you get through all the issues of the divorce in the application to avoid any unnecessary back and forth. This can save a lot of time and help you move on faster.

An attorney will help with negotiations

Few things are ever agreed on without debate. Though you set out for an ‘agreed’ divorce, you may begin to have a conflict of interest as you progress through the divorce and consider your choices in detail. With a professional handling your application, you are sure to get the best deal in these situations.

Sometimes, due to the nature of separation, you may not be speaking with your partner. In this case, it is beneficial for both parties to have lawyers representing them throughout the process in order to have a peaceful outcome.

An attorney will save you cost

It doesn’t cost much to hire a lawyer for uncontended divorce when compared to contested divorce. Sometimes, when people decide to proceed with an agreed divorce without the guidance of a lawyer, it might not go smoothly. It may end up in court and you may incur more legal fees to fix the mistakes you unintentionally made. The value of an attorney to help you and make sure your documents are prepared properly in immeasurable.

For its benefits, it is better to opt for an agreed divorce. It is an even better decision to have a lawyer see you through it. For such a significant decision in your life, you want a lawyer to guide you through all the legal details.

Call the Law Office of Xochitl A. Ambriz, PLLC today to set up a consultation. 915-533-1610.

The post Reasons You Need a Divorce Attorney for An Uncontested or Simple Divorce appeared first on Xochitl A. Ambriz.

5 Things a Will in Texas can do for you

Anthony Burgess, in his famous novel, A Clockwork Orange declared, “When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man.” Choices in life are very important, especially  the choices that outlive us. Among the choices a man has to make in his lifetime, there are two that have the most impact on the world after he is gone:

1. The choices he states in his will.
2. The choice to write a will or not.

A will is a document that clearly describes who will manage your assets and estate in the event of your death.

It puts your Estate in the Right Hands

When you write a will, you decide who takes care of your assets in your absence. To make sure someone you know and trust is in charge of your estate, leave a will that states this clearly.

It secures the welfare of your loved ones

When someone dies, it is often his family and friends that are most deprived. A written will or a testament will ensure that the needs of these special people in our lives are taken care of. A person’s estate can be allotted to a family member or trustee that will ensure loved ones are taken care of.

It fulfils your dreams in your absence

With a well-written will, your dreams don’t end when you’re gone. Your will is the first tool you need in order to ensure proper succession in your business empire. A will gives you the perfect opportunity to put your estate in the hands of someone that you trust to carry on with your dreams.

It carried on your legacy

Your will places a rubber stamp on your preferences, pursuits, and values. The way a person apportions their estate gives the final impression of what he or she stood for in their living days. A person who issues a reasonable portion of her estate to a charity, for instance, will be remembered as a philanthropist.

It prevents unnecessary legal battles

If one dies intestate—that is, without a will—the government initiates a legal process, probate, to determine how the estate is distributed. This decision may not reflect your wishes or those of your loved ones who may decide to spend a lot of money on appeals. With a will and testament, this is usually avoided. Again, your benefactors are saved money, time and emotional stress that is caused by these legal tussles.

An early death is a tragedy, but without a will, it could become a double tragedy. There’s really no need to put it off to a later date.

For more information about how to prepare your will in Texas, contact our lawyers here.

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Personal Injuries resulting from accidents are a daily occurrence. In cases where injuries are caused by the actions or inactions of someone other than the victim, the victim may choose to seek justice in a court of law. In Texas, as in other states, this comes in the form of monetary compensations to the victim, known as damages. When filing for personal injury cases, Texas law allows one to demand compensation in the form of economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic damages are financial compensations for the actual losses caused by the injury. This covers payment of medical bills, damaged property, and past and future earning capacity (wages lost). Another damage that could be claimed is Loss of Household Services, which is a compensation award for duties that the injured party performed around the house but can no longer carry out due to the injury.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate you for pain and suffering caused by the accident or injury. This covers compensation for emotional trauma, scars and disabilities, and any social disadvantage caused by the injury. Here is an overview of the damages that can be claimed under the Texas personal injury law:

Damages for Physical and Emotional Pain and suffering: You can claim for past and future pains if it can be proven. Doctors are usually used to estimate the level of suffering endured.

Damages for Physical Impairment: This is damage for the loss of enjoyment of life due to physical impairment caused by the injury.

Damages for Disfigurement: This is claimed for the social disadvantage a victim faces due to changes in appearance as a result of the personal injury.

Damages for Mental trauma: This is awarded if it is proven (usually with the help of a psychologist) that the injury affected victim’s mental state.

Damages for Loss of Consortium: This is awarded if a victim has lost the affection and companionship of a loved one. This relationship is limited to the victim’s spouse, parent or child.

The value of non-economic damage is determined by jurors, who are independent third-parties with no relationship with those involved. The value of non-economic compensation can be a multiple of the economic damages. Compensation for this is capped at $250,000 and $100,000 (for cases against the government).

Punitive Damages, (also known as Exemplary Damages) unlike economic and non-economic, do not compensate you for anything. Rather, it is meant to punish the at-fault party for their misconduct. This penalty seeks to make an example of the at-fault party which serves as a deterrent. This may only be awarded if the plaintiff proves that the harm results from fraud, malice or gross negligence. According to Texas law, this is capped at $200,000 (or twice the economic damage plus value for non-economic damages up to $750,000), whichever is greater.

Before claiming any damages for injury, it is best to consult with your lawyer and carry out preliminary investigations.

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