We attorneys often ask our clients “what do you want?” A typical response is either a blank stare – you know that look that your child gives you when you ask if they have completed their homework or chores. Another typical response is a vitriolic tirade about the unfairness of life. Neither response gets you much closer to the ultimate answer needed.
A good attorney will tackle this issue from the inside out – truly understanding your client’s financial knowledge, financial past, marital financial knowledge, attitude toward money in general and finally, understanding cultural issues including any family influence and any issues around the propriety of discussing money out loud.
Once you have teased out the above factors and grasped the client’s knowledge, beliefs and attitudes, you are ready to tackle the question “What do you want?”
