tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477794429426738181.post39666215896360823..comments2024-03-03T03:46:33.934-05:00Comments on Skylark Blog: What are the 5 Worst Mistakes People make in their Divorce case? MISTAKE #5: "I Want My Day in Court"Kelsey & Trask, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05241677623102829217noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477794429426738181.post-16847591867073275292010-07-06T17:51:05.180-04:002010-07-06T17:51:05.180-04:00It is so refreshing to read such a piece written b...It is so refreshing to read such a piece written by a Family Law Attorney. Individuals seeking a divorce and "wanting their day in court" should be first required to go through financial counseling, as most will need it when they are done fighting a long, drawn out legal battle. Individuals entering a divorce have no understanding how much a divorce really costs and their attorneys are not telling them. Instead, many attorneys lure prospective and vulnerable individuals to their practices with a very low retainer fee. Few seem to understand by the time they return to their homes from the initial consultation; they have already used up their modest retainers and often owe money.<br />Sadly, most attorneys do not take the time to advise their clients about this reality and instead participate in exacerbating conflict simply to prolong the divorce process and fatten their wallets. I routinely see our clients pay $250,000 and up in legal fees (and this is for only one of the parties to the divorce.) The current process for divorce needs sweeping change as the only people who benefit from a couple’s divorce are the professionals collecting their fees. The process needs to be much more consumer focused and there needs to be more legal service delivery providers outside the legal system. The market is demanding innovation and a fresh approach is needed. Divorcing couples need to be more empowered to make their own decisions and seek legal guidance only where needed. In the meantime, I commend Kelsey & Trask for their straightforward, consumer focused advice to divorcing couples. <br />Timothy McNamaraTimothy McNamarahttp://www.linkedin.com/myprofile?trk=hb_tab_pronoreply@blogger.com