People contact me about many legal problems. They call me with their concerns. Often, because they do not know their rights or are otherwise unfamiliar with the legal process or systems, they do not recognize that there is a solution; sometimes, they are surprised at how simple the solution may be to achieve their desired outcome. Sometimes, they are relieved to have an answer, even when it is not the answer that they desired or anticipated. Sometimes, the question they ask requires a different lawyer; and, in that instance, I may know a lawyer or other professional for these services.
I refer to this practice area as “Happy Law,” the practice of finding solutions for problems that have been upsetting or otherwise harming a client who seeks legal services or advice. For example, in one instance, an older gentleman who cared for his longtime girlfriend, who lived with him, was a beneficiary under her original will, along with her two daughters. Unfortunately, she developed dementia and went to a memory care facility. Four days before her death, her daughters took her out of state to a lawyer who drafted a new will she executed. The problem created was not a will dispute. Rather, it was in failing to recognize that since the new will was not probated the original will could be probated and that action would shift any burden to those who would attempt to challenge the earlier will, which was created before she had memory or competency issues.
Essentially, the goal for all representation is to achieve a result that helps all clients and one which fully and completely compensates the client for all harm suffered as a result of another person or company’s wrongful, reckless, negligent, or harmful actions.
