Estate planning is not only for the elderly or rich. Every adult should have an estate plan specifying what should happen to their property when they pass away. While most people prefer not to think too far ahead, death is a reality that is, for most of us, unplanned. It is much better to draw up your own will and testament than to rely on what the law has in store for everyone who did not take the time to do so. If you have a spouse and/or children, it is especially important for you to have a will to ensure they are properly taken care of once you have moved on.

Act without delay. If you find yourself in a situation wherein you need legal advice, make contacting a skilled, experienced Austin or Houston area attorney your priority. The sooner you seek legal advice, the easier it will be for your local attorney to build a strong case in your favor, whatever the charges or circumstances of your situation. Delay in obtaining legal counsel might lead to some important information being lost or forgotten, or allowing the other party involved in your dispute to build a stronger case against you. Often times, you also have to allow some time for your attorney to review the case, file paper work and get the proceedings started.

Be open and honest. Your attorney can only help you insofar as you help him or her understand your case. Keeping details or information from your lawyer only makes his or her job that much more difficult, which is in every case a detriment to your claim or defense. Your lawyer is there to represent you and therefore you need to have enough trust in him or her to divulge everything pertaining to your situation. Your local attorney will in most cases ask questions that may seem very personal in nature, or might upset you. Remember that their only concern is to ensure you come out of the situation with the best results possible, and as such you should answer honestly and not feel defensive when being questioned.

Ask questions and make sure you get answers. Your attorney, if skilled, qualified and experienced, should expect you to have many questions about your case, their background, the cost of the proceedings and other aspects of the law. Any lawyer who cannot or will not take the time to answer these questions clearly and openly should not be trusted. You should know exactly what to expect walking in to legal proceedings, from lawyer fees to court procedures. Make sure you are comfortable with your attorney and that they can explain legal jargon to your entire satisfaction before deciding to hire him or her.

Thirty minutes is not a lot of time to hear all the necessary facts of a case, and then to provide adequate legal advice for your next steps. In order to make the most of the time you have, be sure to prepare appropriately for your conference. Creating a chronological timeline of events to share with your attorney is always helpful for staying on track. Also, you will want to make a list of your top priorities in the case. Often, there will be more than one issue you are dealing with, but making a list like this will help your attorney prioritize issues, and make sure you leave feeling like you got what you wanted. Keep in mind that no case is cut and dry, and all will be different based on the facts and circumstances surrounding your case. Because your attorney is trained in the law, they will sometimes stop you in the middle of your story, and redirect you to answer different questions. Know that this is never to cut you off or to be rude, but is instead an attempt to ascertain all of the legally relevant information they will need to provide consultation to you in the limited time available. Keep in mind that if you feel rushed in thirty minutes, you can extend your consultation for a fee, so there is no need to feel pressured by time limitations.