Focus Attention with the Settlement Notebook
One advantage of the Settlement Notebook is that it makes everyone focus on the issues. It is a thing you can touch and see and not just a lot of ideas or emotions floating around in the air like so much smoke.
It gets clients to focus. There are hard numbers attached to the statements. The math is clear, not fuzzy. It will point out which documents are missing and which you need to obtain from your client, the other spouse or third parties.
It gets the attorney to focus. Putting the spreadsheet and the notebook together gives me a clear and simple picture of the marital estate. The spreadsheet is a checklist of documents and values to be obtained. It is a checklist of issues to be resolved.
It gets the other side to focus. Once I have the notebook together, I give a copy to my client. Then, with my client’s approval, I give two copies to opposing counsel (one for the lawyer and one for the other party).
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January 25th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I like the idea of the settlement notebook and intend to incorporate some of that into my practice. I believe that non-legal professionals will understand the material being organized in this fashion much better.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Where can one obtain the Settlement Notebook. My husband and I are going through this now. Thanks.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
It is something I create each time I start a new case.