ASK ANGIE^TM
By Angela Hallier, Esq.
Answers to your divorce and family law questions

ASK ANGIE'S TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DIVORCE ATTORNEY

If you are personally involved in a divorce or other family law matter, both the attorney you choose to hire and the way you interact with your attorney can significantly impact both the success and cost of your case. Here are my top tips for getting the most out of your attorney-client relationship:

Recognize and use your attorney's expertise. You (hopefully) hired an attorney you trust and who has expertise in the area of family law. You are paying thousands of dollars to this attorney to advise you - listen to them! This is not to say you should not be involved in the decision making process during your divorce. A good attorney should educate you about how the law applies to the facts of your case, how the court might rule on the issues in your case, and what viable options exist for resolving your case. They should outline a recommended course of action, but allow you to make the final decision on how to proceed. They should then work to help you achieve the goals that have been set.

Practice effective communication with your attorney. This means more than just giving your attorney information about your case. It means giving truthful and complete information. It means providing your attorney the documents they request from you. It means updating your attorney on changes in your case as it progresses. It means reading information the attorney sends you, even if you do not want to (your attorney should send you copies of all documents generated or received by them). It means understanding when you have a true emergency and when you do not. It means thoughtfully focusing your attorney communications on the issues of your case.

Comply with court orders and avoid criminal acts. There is almost nothing worse for an attorney than having to deal with a client's breach of a court order or a criminal prosecution in the midst of their divorce. There is never a good way to "spin" such actions, and judges do not take kindly to their directives being ignored. Understand clearly the Preliminary Injunction Orders (they are automatically issued at the outset of every divorce or legal separation case). And be clear on any other orders issued by the court; if you do not understand them ask your attorney.

Recognize that your attorney can see the "big picture" much better than you can. An expert family law attorney has likely handled (and therefore lived through) tens or hundreds of divorces. This experience allows your attorney to gauge how the actions you take and decisions you make today will impact your case in the long run in ways you may not appreciate. Consult with them before taking any action or making a major decision that could impact the issues in your case. If you remember just one piece of advice, remember this: Don't let your emotional reactions take priority over good old divorce litigation strategy and planning.

Here's to a successful relationship for you and your attorney!

It is always advisable to seek the counsel of a qualified attorney who can advise you specifically about your case. The information in this column is provided for general information only in the state of Arizona, is not specific to any one case and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the author and the reader. ©2003 - 2008 Hallier Law Firm PLC

ASK ANGIE^TM is published monthly in Arizona Trends Magazine.