Attorneys are not therapists. Or magicians. Or fortune tellers. Yet, often clients think we are. As a reminder, here are some things your attorney can and can’t do.
1. Your attorney cannot make your decisions for you. Your attorney can provide you with the information you need to help you make an informed decision. We can’t tell you which adult child to choose as your health care proxy, or who to appoint as guardian for your children. But we can tell you what those roles involve and help you work through the pros and cons of each choice.
2. Your attorney cannot fix your relationship with your sibling/parent/spouse/child/self. Your attorney can provide you with a referral to a good therapist. And not only will you be seeing the proper professional for your needs, you’ll most likely be paying a lot less than if you attempted to use your attorney as your therapist.
3. Your attorney cannot predict the future. Your attorney can tell what the consequences are if certain things come to pass. A lot of times my meetings with clients go through the difference scenarios of “what if” – what if mom lives at home and we bring in help, what if dad needs a nursing home, what if I move in and take care of them, what if something happens to us both at the same time? We can never predict what will happen, but we can help educate our clients so they are prepared for what comes.
4. Your attorney cannot read your mind. Your attorney can provide you with advice and guidance if you ask questions, and answer the questions your attorneys asks you. Open communication with your attorney can help you get the most out of your relationship and feel the most prepared for what the future brings.
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