I mentioned that I’m not slowing my family law practice even while I explore fashion law options.
I’ve been working steadily keeping my practice humming even while I’ve been learning fashion law. Yesterday's soapbox was fast fashion. Today's gripe is the disservice online legal products do.
Folks going through a separation and divorce are all in a fragile emotional place - no matter the person’s intellect; occupation; earnings; socioeconomic status; or age. Going through a relationship break-up is excruciating.
This is a time when a competent, experienced family lawyer is a necessity. A lawyer is not a luxury in this stage. Online products and “forms” offering to ‘save on expensive fees’ and ‘avoid the cost of litigation’ often cause a well-intentioned person to spend lots of money undoing the harm that has been done saving money. Sometimes the harm cannot be undone.
I consulted with a businessperson who had second thoughts about the online “separation agreement” that was signed by he and his spouse -- two folks trying to be fair and frugal.
My client is businessperson who successfully operates a company with many employees. Yet, in the midst of the emotional cloud that compromises ordinarily good judgment, my client divided the retirement account.
The form said “Divide in half.” So he sold half the account assets
and divided it equally. The parties paid income taxes and withdrawal penalties on the liquidation – about $60,000. OUCH! Worse, every penny was wasted and each party hurt financially because there is a way to equally divide a retirement account without any tax consequences or early withdrawal fees whatsoever. Had I been consulted beforehand, I could have performed the work easily, quickly, and efficiently, and each party would have received half the account and saved the taxes and early withdrawal penalties.
Folks think lawyers are expensive. Trying to save money by using a form and checking a box without first seeking out legal advice to understand the consequences along with other available options and choices usually costs more than is saved. Sometimes, hiring a lawyer IS expensive. It is more often the case that money is spent when there is something someone believes is worthwhile to argue for. The choice about whether to invest money with a lawyer to pursue your cause is a choice made by you, the party; not by the lawyer, whose authority to act derives only from your permission. I work closely with my clients to determine how most efficiently to use the client's legal budget.
A family law case is unlikely any other. It is not a transaction. It is not just a "dispute."
A family law case surrounds a family unit and how a major change in the unit and the family dynamic is going to be effected. Emotion impacts judgment. Ordinary things have special meaning. Experienced family lawyers, like me, are determined to first understand what is important and negotiate a satisfactory outcome keeping in mind the entire family unit.
I believe folks are scared by lawyers.
Some folks don’t want their spouse consulting with a lawyer. If one spouse holds the power, that spouse wants to continue to wield control and keep the advantage. The weaker spouse should always seek help. If you are reading this and your spouse is angry at the thought of you seeking the aid of a lawyer, wonder why that is. Then, make a call and an appointment.
I’ve been working steadily keeping my practice humming even while I’ve been learning fashion law. Yesterday's soapbox was fast fashion. Today's gripe is the disservice online legal products do.
Folks going through a separation and divorce are all in a fragile emotional place - no matter the person’s intellect; occupation; earnings; socioeconomic status; or age. Going through a relationship break-up is excruciating.
This is a time when a competent, experienced family lawyer is a necessity. A lawyer is not a luxury in this stage. Online products and “forms” offering to ‘save on expensive fees’ and ‘avoid the cost of litigation’ often cause a well-intentioned person to spend lots of money undoing the harm that has been done saving money. Sometimes the harm cannot be undone.
I consulted with a businessperson who had second thoughts about the online “separation agreement” that was signed by he and his spouse -- two folks trying to be fair and frugal.
My client is businessperson who successfully operates a company with many employees. Yet, in the midst of the emotional cloud that compromises ordinarily good judgment, my client divided the retirement account.
The form said “Divide in half.” So he sold half the account assets
and divided it equally. The parties paid income taxes and withdrawal penalties on the liquidation – about $60,000. OUCH! Worse, every penny was wasted and each party hurt financially because there is a way to equally divide a retirement account without any tax consequences or early withdrawal fees whatsoever. Had I been consulted beforehand, I could have performed the work easily, quickly, and efficiently, and each party would have received half the account and saved the taxes and early withdrawal penalties.
Folks think lawyers are expensive. Trying to save money by using a form and checking a box without first seeking out legal advice to understand the consequences along with other available options and choices usually costs more than is saved. Sometimes, hiring a lawyer IS expensive. It is more often the case that money is spent when there is something someone believes is worthwhile to argue for. The choice about whether to invest money with a lawyer to pursue your cause is a choice made by you, the party; not by the lawyer, whose authority to act derives only from your permission. I work closely with my clients to determine how most efficiently to use the client's legal budget.
A family law case is unlikely any other. It is not a transaction. It is not just a "dispute."
A family law case surrounds a family unit and how a major change in the unit and the family dynamic is going to be effected. Emotion impacts judgment. Ordinary things have special meaning. Experienced family lawyers, like me, are determined to first understand what is important and negotiate a satisfactory outcome keeping in mind the entire family unit.
I believe folks are scared by lawyers.
Some folks don’t want their spouse consulting with a lawyer. If one spouse holds the power, that spouse wants to continue to wield control and keep the advantage. The weaker spouse should always seek help. If you are reading this and your spouse is angry at the thought of you seeking the aid of a lawyer, wonder why that is. Then, make a call and an appointment.