Message from the Attorney

Let go of assumptions

　There was once a CEO who was troubled by constant demands from a business partner. He thought the partner was overly meticulous, persistent, and was considering taking legal action. However, I pointed out, "This partner has already paid you a lot of money and still wants to continue doing business with you. Isn't that a great person to have?"

　The CEO then realized how much he owed to this difficult partner, and his perspective shifted. As a result, he was able to avoid wasting time and money on unnecessary legal measures.

　Life throws many challenges at us, but it's always best to face them with an open mind and a positive outlook.

 

Live richly

　In recent consultations, I've noticed that many issues ultimately come down to financial problems.

　For example, a young wife came to me, saying, "My husband is being unfaithful. 　He's been going to adult entertainment venues." Whether or not the courts would classify such behavior as infidelity is another issue...

　I asked her, "If your husband gave you 1 million yen every month, would you still leave him over this?" She immediately changed her tone and said, "No, if he gave me that much, I wouldn't leave him, no matter what he does."

　It sounds like a joke, but it's a true story. In the end, it wasn't the unfaithfulness that bothered her—it was that he was spending money on those activities while earning so little. Whether it's a car accident, an inheritance dispute, or something else, if you have enough money, many issues can be resolved without resorting to legal action.

　That's why I encourage my clients, as well as myself, to appreciate whatever assets they currently have and think about how to live more abundantly.

 

Is running away the best option?

　I often get consultations from people saying they've been asked to pay for something or are being pressed to do something quickly and don't know what to do.

　Most people are ready to prepare counterarguments, saying things like, "I don’t need to pay because of X, Y, and Z," and take a confrontational stance.

　However, many of those seeking advice are in financial situations where they can’t afford to pay lawyer fees.

　In such cases, even if you're in the right, it might be best not to fight. Instead, just say something like, "I'm sorry, I don't have the money to pay," or "I don't really understand," and walk away.

　In reality, very few cases end up in court because filing a lawsuit is costly, and unless it's a major issue, people usually avoid taking it that far.

　So, when you're faced with demands or complaints, rather than fighting back, sometimes it's better to apologize or say you don’t understand and move on.

 

Eiichiro Miura, Attorney at Law, Miura Law Office