What to Do If Your Attorney Messes Up Your Divorce?
You’ve hired your attorney to help you with your divorce. You hired them because they are an expert in domestic relations law, and you trust that they know what they’re doing.
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But sometimes a lawyer can mess up your divorce and cause you to lose out on money or time with your kids or make it difficult to communicate with your spouse. Luckily, you have some tools to keep your attorney from causing problems for you.
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Frequently check on your lawyer’s progress and respond to your questions.
Your attorney is likely to spend a lot of time and energy negotiating the details of your divorce with your spouse, so it’s important that they know that you are responsive to their requests for information and documents. You can make this easy for your attorney by keeping an eye on their emails.
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Always be on the lookout for any red flags that indicate your lawyer is not acting in your best interest.
If you notice any red flags, such as repeated requests for information or documents or your attorney seems to be avoiding communication with you, it’s time to find another lawyer. Your lawyer needs to be working for you, not against you, and if your attorney is not doing that, it’s time to change.
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Be careful about using a lawyer who doesn’t understand your case.
Your divorce is a complex legal issue that requires a great deal of knowledge and experience to handle well. If you don’t trust your attorney, or if you feel that they are acting in a way that isn’t in your best interests, it’s important to choose a lawyer who understands the laws and your specific situation.
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Avoid sending angry messages or emails to your attorney or staff.
Divorce is a messy and stressful process, and often people get emotional over the issues involved in their case. They may even take their anger out on their lawyer and/or staff. This can damage your relationship with your attorney, who may not be able to help you get through the situation.
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Don’t discuss your children or financial situation with your lawyer.
Your attorney and/or mediator will not want to hear about your former partner’s abuse of the children or past financial woes. Rather, they will want to hear about your current concerns and issues.
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Don’t focus on material and substantial changes in circumstances.
You can ask your attorney to change a part of the divorce decree that you agreed upon if your ex-spouse has made a material and substantial change in circumstances, such as losing their job or a medical condition that prevents them from working.
If your attorney agrees, they should help you modify the terms of your agreement so that you and your ex-spouse can get on with your lives.
Having a good lawyer is crucial to your success. If you are not satisfied with the level of service or the outcome of your case, it’s important to speak up.