No_Estimate_8986's journey

I have been informed that my position at my company is being eliminated in 30 days. For months now, I've been aware that my department is shutting down, and the process has been draining. I’m currently working nights and weekends to ensure everything is wrapped up properly and that my customers are taken care of. HR has already discussed my severance package with me, but I feel entitled to more, and my lawyer agrees. I want to request an additional two months of severance because I’ve been so focused on closing down the department that I haven’t had the time to search for a new job or interview. The timelines for our shutdown have shifted multiple times, which has left me in a tough spot without a job lined up. I even had to turn down a job offer because my role here is critical, and they rely heavily on my contributions. I’m contemplating when to ask for the additional severance—whether to negotiate before I leave or after, but I know I need to be careful. My lawyer wants to be included in the communication, but I’m uncertain if that’s a good idea before I sign any agreement. Has anyone else gone through a similar situation where they negotiated for more severance? I could really use some advice on how to navigate this.