A lawyer’s job is to show those people that they will suffer terrible consequences. Usually they will lose money if they don’t meet the clients’ demands. They usually look on the bright side, the lawyers way. The clients get what they want; Corner Store Jim saves money and keeps his customers. It’s a win win situation. A Lawyers work simply comes down to getting peoples’ attention who are too preoccupied to deal with little problems. Every case is prepared usually in the same way, whether it involves a multimillion-dollar lawsuit or a traffic ticket. The steps a lawyer takes are the same ones that you should take in your letter writing.
Determine what you as the client wants and what the opponent wants. Gather all the facts relating to the case and determine which ones are relevant. Then analyze the facts and decide how would be the best way to present the problem. Finally, make a demand in the clearest possible way and follow it up until you are satisfied with the results. In the meantime, keep records of the contacts, leaving yourself a useful paper trail.
Let’s look at this process in some detail and see how it will relate to your letters.
TIP #1: Put Away Your Emotions
You might be angry. You might be desperate, fearful or out of control. Your letters should not be written hysterically, hysterical letters don’t get results. People who write when they’re in a rage usually don’t have control of their thoughts. Their letters sound irrational and illogical, and just plain wrong. Effective letters make sense, are clear and are reasonable. Go take a walk, or let it all out to a friend. You have to get it out of your system before you sit and write.
TIP #2: Know What Your Opponent Wants
What does Marcia’s Coats want: to keep you as a customer? to avoid small claims court? Your insurance won’t cover the expense of a new prescription you need. What does the insurance company want? to spend less money on the medication than on litigation? not to be reported to a government agency? Most opponents want to save money and the trouble of going to court.
TIP #3: Review The Facts
You went to Marcia’s Coats on Monday after your grocery shopping. You tried on the coat. Connie waited on you. You paid with your credit card. What are the important facts here? Probably not that you had been grocery shopping. Maybe not even that you tried on the coat. Look at the facts. Note what’s most important, dates, time, person who helped you, and other relevant details. Leave irrelevant details out of it.
TIP #4: Know How To Present Your Case
You’ve known Marcia’s Coats for years. You’ve shopped there many times. A very simple, polite letter explaining your need to return the coat should do it. You’ve had trouble with your insurance company and you know that it is under scrutiny by the regulatory agency. A Strong, aggressive letter detailing why the insurance company should pay for your medication, with a photocopy to the regulators, (it’s probably not a good idea to send a photocopy to a public agency the first time you write to the person you are complaining about). One of the things businesspeople hate is having to deal with regulatory agencies, this may work for you if you give the other person a chance to solve the problem.
TIP #6: Be Consistent And Insistent
You’ve made your reasonable demands; you’ve kept a paper trail. Now it’s time to follow up. You wait for an answer and act accordingly. If in your letter you requested that the insurance company respond to you within 72 hours, you need to act when that time comes. If Marcia’s Coats doesn’t call you right away, maybe you can give them a week before following up. Follow up with polite but firm assertiveness until the matter is resolved.
This information is in no way a guarantee that you never need a lawyer. However, circumstances like these have been proven to bring results. There are times when you definitely do need a lawyer, my purpose is to at least give ideas of what can be done. You can find more letter writing self help articles and examples at:
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I always add this to all of my pages; please don't forget to spay or neuter your pets to help keep the pet population down. Have a wonderful day!
