When we don’t understand an issue, we often turn to the internet or a trusted confidant for an explanation. Doing so can be particularly tempting when you are amid a legal battle and would rather not seek costly advice from your attorney. However, the only proven source of reliable information in a legal matter is an attorney.
Your attorney’s role, aside from providing legal representation in court, is to advise you of your legal rights and obligations and explain the implications of these factors. A simple internet search cannot answer most legal questions; in fact, some of these questions have more than one correct answer. This means the smallest detail concerning your situation could be the determining factor in finding a correct answer vs. an incorrect answer. The internet may be a great tool for defining legal jargon but utilizing this resource to answer complex legal questions could cheat you out of valuable knowledge you could have gained from your attorney.
During your legal battle, you may wish to listen to advice from third parties such as family or friends who have gone through the a similar process in the past. The problem with secondhand advice is that this information is not tailored to your situation. While your situation may be like another person’s, there are factors unique to your circumstance that only your attorney can help you with.
Factors that govern legal processes include:
- country of origin;
- the judge presiding over your case;
- the length of your marriage;
- your finances; and/or
- any minor children involved.
Legal advice should always come from an attorney; however, you cannot trust all legal advice that comes from an attorney. For example, you may receive advice from your brother’s attorney in an entirely different state. This attorney is effectively not providing reliable advice because they aren’t privy to state-specific laws that could play a vital role in your case. Additionally, laws can change on a weekly basis and your attorney is continuously studying these reforms so they can always provide you with the representation you deserve.
If you are not satisfied with the legal advice your attorney has provided, there is nothing wrong with seeking a second legal opinion, esepcially from an attorney who provides representation in the same area of law and who is in your state. You may find that a second opinion differs from the advice your attorney has given you. When this happens, however, you can ask your attorney why they did not provide similar advice.
Providing Trusted Legal Guidance
At Autumn Beck Blackledge, PLLC, our family law attorneys are passionate about helping our clients fight for their best interests. Whether you are establishing a custody arrangement or in need of representation during your divorce, we can provide the experienced legal representation you need.
For your initial consultation, call our firm at (850) 404-7263 or contact us online.