Divorce

The web is full of self-help information on divorce. But getting through a divorce while protecting your interests requires more than reading a few articles online or downloading forms from a website.

The goal of anyone going through a divorce should be to settle their case on terms that are fair and reasonable. But negotiating a fair settlement requires having realistic goals. People who try represent themselves not only lack legal knowledge and training, they have no experience with other cases. Fairness is relative. Lawyers don’t evaluate cases on what they personally believe to be fair. They compare the case at hand to other cases with similar facts. People who try to represent themselves are not able to do that.



Trials are a last resort. Litigation is expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining. Unfortunately, trials can’t always be avoided. Your spouse or partner may insist on terms that are unfair to you. They may refuse to compromise and be hostile, overly aggressive and difficult to deal with. Or your case may involve an issue on which you simply can’t compromise. Child custody is a good example.

Retaining a knowledgeable and experienced attorney can help you reach a fair settlement while protecting your interests. I have more than 30 years experience handling all types of divorce and domestic relations matters, from cases involving complex business, financial, tax and asset valuation issues, to child custody disputes. I began my career as an Assistant District Attorney and have extensive trial experience. I’ve represented clients in Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Worcester, Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable Counties. Don’t let location be an issue. Cell phones and email make it easy to communicate. Meeting in person may sometimes be necessary, but that isn’t as common as you may think.

As a sole practitioner, I’ll handle all aspects of your case from start to finish. You won’t be passed around to different attorneys who aren’t familiar with your case – and who charge you for the time it takes them to get familiar.

I never charge for an initial telephone consultation with someone who is considering filing for divorce or changing counsel. If you are facing any of these issues, I’d welcome the chance to speak with you.

I almost always get asked two questions when I meet with a client for the first time: how much will it cost and how long will it take for them to get divorced. Unfortunately, the answer to both questions is the same: it depends. Anyone who tells you differently isn’t telling you the truth.



But there a few things you should keep in mind.

Fee agreements in divorce cases are necessarily based on an hourly billing rate. The more time your attorney spends working on your case, the higher your legal fees will be.

You can keep the your legal fees down by having realistic expectations, keeping your financial resources in perspective and taking your lawyer’s advice. That includes compromising when it’s appropriate. You can’t reasonably expect to get everything you want in a settlement. No one wants to settle based on their worst possible case. Don’t expect your spouse or partner to do so.

The Probate Court has time standards that set theoretical limits for completing cases that are not settled by agreement. The upper limit is supposed to 14 months. In reality, the standards are just a goal that can’t be met in many situations. Cases that aren’t resolved through a settlement – particularly ones involving child custody disputes or complex financial issues – can drag on for years before they go to trial.

That’s why it’s important to have realistic goals and be willing to compromise on certain issues when compromise is advisable. The sooner you and your spouse or partner can agree on settlement terms, the sooner you’ll be divorced. And the less it will cost.