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What should you bring to your consultation? To make the most of your time and money during your consultation, I suggest you:

COME PREPARED:
Civil Lawsuit: If you have been served with a lawsuit, bring all papers you were served with and any evidence you may have (photographs, records, bills, etc.).
Divorce consultation: bring 3 years of your income tax records, both spouses’ most recent pay stubs, any home and real property purchase and finance documents, most recent investment and retirement statements and the most recent debt statements. If you have been served with the case, bring all paperwork.
Modifying a parenting plan or child support: bring all previous court orders (parenting plan, orders of child support), and for child support modifications, your income taxes for two years and your most recent pay stubs.
Real property consultation: bring all of your real estate documents, including the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement, preliminary title report and home inspection report.
Employment consultation: bring letters, disciplinary actions, copy of your personnel file, evaluations and contracts.

Southern Resident Killer Whales

During the Consultation:

• Be Truthful: Be prepared to tell all of the facts; the good, bad and the ugly. I can advise you best and plan the most advantageous strategy for your case only if I know all of the facts up front.
• Ask Questions: I don’t expect you to know all of the answers so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Write them down and check them off as they are answered.
• Be Patient: Some legal issues are complex and require legal research in order for me to render an opinion. In complex cases, research cannot be performed during the consultation. Facts and information are gathered during the first consultation, then I will perform legal research and, following the research, will consult with you again.
• Discuss Fees and Costs: All consultations are subject to an hourly fee. Evergreen Advance Fee Deposits are required in all cases accepted. The amount of the Evergreen Advance Fee Deposit is set by Diane during the initial consultation and varies depending on a number of factors, such as the type and complexity of the case, the intensity of the discovery process and issues individual to your case. A fee agreement will be prepared for all clients. Take time to review the agreement and feel free to ask questions about it at any time.
• ​Seek Legal Advice Early: Success often isn't winning a lawsuit; success is avoiding a lawsuit, or resolving the dispute before it erupts into a lawsuit.

Testimonials:

• "Diane: Thank you for the advice last week.  It was good to get an outsider's view."
• "I wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you and everything you have done for us. It was hard for me at times and you kept me from losing my cool. I cannot express in words what you have done. I got this gift for you because it reminds me of how you helped me open my shell and spread my wings. For that, I will be forever grateful to you."
• "Diane - Thanks so much for your help. My mom and I are truly grateful. You're a wonderful person!"
• "Dear Diane, Thank you so much for your time and much appreciated advice. Our other neighbor also says 'thank you'."
• "Diane, Just to say thanks! I appreciate all you did for me over the past few months. I will always be grateful! Many thanks."
• "Diane, I just wanted to thank you for helping me navigate through the potentially murky waters of divorce and reinforcing my confidence that I'd be fine. Since then, I have been so happy, every day, grateful for everything I have and excited to see what my new life holds."
• "Diane, Thank you again for your very kind attention to my divorce. Please extend my thanks to Yvonne. Someday when I'm in Silverdale, I'll drop by to say hello."
• "Dear Diane, I deeply appreciate, fully, the effort you put forth on my behalf in this most arduous time in my life. Thank you for your kindness and patience."
• "Diane - Just a quick note of "thank you" again. This year has been a year of amazing blessings and you had a big hand in them. Pennsylvania sure is beautiful this time of year! Always grateful -"
• "Diane - I just want to thank you for coming down to testify for Senate Bill 6188 and for working on the new language. Great news -- it moved out of committee with your language and now should be moved through the 'system'. I'll let you know when it is being heard in the House. Again - ​​many thanks! M's lucky to have you in her court!"

Sunset - Olympic Mountains