Don’t believe that engaging a lawyer leads to court.
It was explained to me by a corporate lawyer that his job was to keep our company out of court. What he meant was that he would always try for a negotiated settlement before attempting litigation.
Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?
Once litigation is involved the result is completely out of your hands.
Ive been involved , unfortunately, in too many legal disputes. But every time my lawyers have attempted a settlement ( in good faith) Sometimes the other party ( and I mean the people not the lawyers) are of a similar mind and negotiations are fruitful.
Thats the value of lawyers.