Although stressful and adversarial, there are times when litigation is the best, or only, option. When handling your matter in a traditional litigation framework is necessary, it is still likely that your matter can be settled without a trial. Only a small percentage of cases are ultimately resolved by a trial, or hearing, in front of a judge. Whether ultimately resolved by agreement, or by trial, cases, better results are nearly always obtained by engaging the services of an attorney than by representing yourself.
Retaining an attorney is a stressful process, and most people under stress find it more difficult to comprehend complex, legal, or technical verbiage when they are under stress than when they are not under stress. Therefore, I have attached here a sample retainer agreement and a Statement of Client Rights and Responsibilities, so that individuals reviewing this website have an opportunity to review these documents at their leisure, without pressure. Please bear in mind that these are samples, and that not all provisions may be included in your retainer agreement (such as a potential request to have your attorney fees paid by your spouse, which is not appropriate in every case), or a potential request for a security interest in your home.
