Legal battles are always stressful, and watching a family member go through one can be difficult. While a lot of things are out of your control, you can find a way to be there for them rather than sit on the sidelines and feel helpless. The following are a few ways you can support a family member embroiled in a legal battle.
Help Them Find Representation
The first and most important thing you can do for a loved one in a legal dispute is to help them find legal representation. They may not be in a great state of mind to do this for themselves, and they will appreciate it a lot. Let them know that hiring an attorney immediately is the best course of action, as this can help them minimize damage or even avoid having the case filed in the first place. A public defender normally has an average of 25% less time to devote to any case than is enough to do a good job. It is also difficult to get in touch with an attorney whom the court appointed for you before the day your trial is set for because they are working on many other cases. To help your loved one stand a fair chance at trial, get legal help for them that will devote time to successfully see their case through.
Listen to Them More Than You Talk
A person facing a legal case will have a lot going on in their mind. They are often stressed and may not be in the best position to hold conversations. Talk of the case is especially likely to induce tension and anxiety so avoid badgering them with questions and opinions. If they have something to say, you can be supportive by lending them a listening ear and making sure that you are present during the conversation. Even if the matter is familiar to you, as a boundary dispute of a place you know well, do not provoke intense conversations about it. Disputes concerning boundaries, for instance, constitute about 17% of real estate issues that exist between neighbors.
Do Not Be Judgemental
Avoid putting down a family member who has legal charges leveled against them because everyone is innocent until they are proved guilty. You are also close to them and so they probably think of you as an ally who won’t judge them or even blame them for something that happened. Even a divorce case is hard enough because the person realizes they are legally separating from someone they may have spent quite some time with, and worse if they were blindsided.
Avoid Giving Legal Advice
While it may be tempting to offer legal advice, avoid doing so unless you are a lawyer. Your input may not be necessary or even relevant, so avoid trying to push your opinions on your loved ones as they are already going through a lot. Instead, support their decision if it is not one made in haste or in a highly emotional state. Rather than attack them, however, try to put yourself in their shoes and understand that they are probably overwhelmed, and let their lawyer do their job.
Court cases are almost always draining and never enjoyable. When someone close to you has to go through one, remember to be their friend first, and give them the support that they more than likely need. With approximately 70% of people who are currently turning 65 years of age due to require one form or another of long-term care in their lifetime, it is important to be thoughtful and kind especially to seniors who have a court case to deal with. It is important to stand with someone so that after everything is said and done, your friendship or relationship is stronger than ever.