Your divorce lawyer is not your hired servant!
Insights from Divorce Lawyer Colleagues: Top Pet Peeves & Tips for Client-Attorney Harmony
A few weeks ago, I was attending a continuing legal education seminar for divorce lawyers. One of the topics was how to discover and effectively divide cryptocurrency in divorce actions. It was an excellent presentation!
At a break, I saw a few divorce lawyer colleagues of mine standing together talking. I walked up to them to say “hello” and to join them for a few minutes. They were all discussing “pet peeves” they each had with former divorce clients who they ended up firing.
I am constantly thinking about new topics to post about on this blog, and it occurred to me that their “peeves” (and mine) might be worth sharing. After all, why would a client going through a stressful divorce want to act in a manner that results in his or her divorce lawyer firing them?
Key Divorce Lawyer Insights: Avoid These Social Media Mistakes for a Positive Client Relationship
While not based on any scientific or extensive research, here were the complaints expressed that afternoon by several of my divorce lawyer colleagues. They are not in any intentional order.
- Being Argumentative and Belligerent:
Your divorce lawyer is not your hired servant. Don’t treat him/her or the office staff like dirt! Listen to your lawyer’s advice and don’t argue about everything. It is a quick way to get the boot!
- Failing to Cooperate and Meeting Deadlines:
Working with your divorce lawyer should be a mutual partnership. There are strict deadlines that your lawyer needs to meet. These deadlines may be imposed by court rules or court orders. When your lawyer asks you to answer discovery requests, review draft documents or share your thoughts regarding a strategic move, respond quickly. Attorneys are busy. They have other cases they are handling besides yours. Always show respect and fully cooperate with them. Do everything possible to help make your lawyer’s job as easy as possible!
- Breaking the Law:
Violating Court issued restraining orders, threatening your spouse, driving while impaired with your kids in the car or committing acts of domestic violence may well end the attorney-client relationship with your divorce lawyer. Divorces can be very stressful. Be sure to involve psychologists or therapists to help you work through those pressures. [I have posted many articles here on the importance of obtaining counseling during a divorce. Use the “Search” feature to find them.]
- Breaking Agreements You Made at The Start of the Case:
Here is one that I added to the conversation. I don’t accept every person’s case. My end goal is to accomplish the client’s reasonable goals and end up with a positive result. In order for me to take his/her case, I may require that a client promises to do or not do certain things going forward which I view to be problematic. Based on those representations, I will make assurances to the opposing counsel and Judge. If a client breaks those promises to me, it weakens my credibility with the Court and opposing counsel. That is not a tenable situation!
- Repeatedly Posting on Social Media:
At the start of a case most divorce lawyers will admonish clients to be very careful about making ANY social media postings. In fact, my retainer agreement spells that out clearly. I can’t tell you how often I have seen a client’s social media posts interfere and weaken a client’s case. Social media posts are often entered into evidence. Don’t sabotage your own case and your lawyer’s hard work!
- Ignore Paying Your Bill:
Lawyers are not banks or lending institutions. We have bills to pay just like clients have. We all realize that divorces can be expensive. Ignoring your bill without communications with your lawyer is a fast way to be discharged.
I have posted about this topic from the opposite viewpoint – “Tips for Dealing with Your Divorce Lawyer and Why it Matters” Click here to read it. If you merge together both this information with the “tips” for a positive attorney/client relationship, you will have a roadmap to hopefully have a very positive relationship and outcome of your divorce case.
Experienced, Trusted and Professional Dayton Divorce Lawyers
Our experienced Dayton divorce lawyers at Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues can assist you with your divorce or dissolution related issues. To learn more, please go to our website at www.hcmmlaw.com or call us at 937 293-2141. We can schedule an in-person conference or one by phone or Zoom. We look forward to assisting you!
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Attorney Robert “Chip” Mues has been focusing his legal practice throughout Southwest Ohio primarily in divorce and family law matters since 1978. Chip is passionate about family law and has proudly published the Ohio Family Law Blog since 2007. In addition, he is the managing partner of Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues. To learn more about him or the law firm, visit the firm’s website at www.hcmmlaw.com. Appointments are available in person, over the phone or by Zoom. Call us at 937 293-2141.
