TIMING IS EVERYTHING: WHEN CLIENTS DECIDE TO BEGIN A DIVORCE
One of the great mysteries of my divorce practice is the question of when clients decide to begin a divorce. I’ve always wondered what it is that makes any particular client decide that today, now, is the time to commence an action. I’m sure I will never understand exactly what is in my client’s mind at that unique point in time, so I suppose I’m going to be relegated to observing and commenting on what actually happens after the fact.
Here are two (2) very different experiences I’ve had with clients over the past two (2) days:
Yesterday, I met with a woman at her home for about two (2) hours for an initial consultation for a divorce. We covered a myriad of divorce topics, from the anatomy of a divorce case to equitable distribution to tax impacting settlements and post-settlement housekeeping issues. At the end of the meeting I asked how she would like to move forward with her case. She let me know she was not making any decisions right away, but that I should call her in one week.
Today, I received a call from a woman who wanted to come in to this office and discuss her options for a divorce. An hour later, we met and after a 15 minute discussion she retained me to handle her case.
The juxtaposition of these two consultations is an interesting commentary on the utter individuality of all of my clients. It also reminds me that no matter how many times I think I know which ‘box’ a case or client fits into, I’m probably wrong.
If you would like more information on New York divorce law, please visit my website at www.GabayLawFirm.com
Hello,
Thank you for your very well written post. I can say that your words ring so true. I also think that good due dilligence in selecting a divorce attorney is essential. I support the IT needs of many New York Attrorneys and although most of them are honest and truly want to do the best that they can for their clients, Some take on cases that they have no clue how to run. There have been several conversations I've overheard where the attorney is asking the associate for advice. For the most part these attorneys farm out the cases they cannot handle to other attorneys who concentrate in that particular area of Law. So, in essence, the client isn't really short-changed by inadequte representation, but they will be dealing with what amounts to a middleman. You will agree with me when I say you really need to do your due dilligence when looking for an attorney and as you probably already know references are one of the best ways of sourcing a quality attorney. Good attorneys like you (based on the great information I've read on your site) and Steven E. Rosenfeld (based on personal experience and inside information gathered as I support his offices computer networking needs) are worth the trouble of proper due dilligence. Clients will always reap the rewards of their efforts in the professional way they are represented by the attorneys they discover.
Thank you for the well written post. As a NY Divorce Attorney I often come across this bizarre phenomenon. I have an idea of two about why some potential clients retain me right away, while others say they will consider the free consultation that I have provided for them. I think it is a mixture of human nature (fear, wanting to know all your options before making a decision) and at times I fear that some potential clients are simply trying to get divorce information for free. I wish there was a way to screen for this but I have yet to find one. A colleague of mine stopped offering free NY divorce consultations because he claims that if a potential client is unwilling to pay $100 for a consult (which would go towards their retainer fee if they retain him) then they are probably trying to get something for nothing. I still offer free NY divorce consultations regardless. Please let me know if you discover the answer to this mind boggling question!
It is blogged all over the internet that the Pressure is Increasing For Corrupt Manhattan Press hound Attorney who is experiencing Financial Reversals and seems to concoct scenarios where he double dips with Fees. He seems to gravitate to Foreign Funds and Dubious Contacts. He tells everyone he runs the matrimonial courts... law enforcement? This is worrisome. He seems to have close relationships with two Manhattan Matrimonial Judges who protect the rich deadbeat dads that this attorney has some contact with. It seems like there is a criminal situation going...
Manhattan's Famous "Schmoozer" Press Hound Attorney is feeling the pressure. He is feeling the pressure from his well-hidden dire financial situation. It is reported by someone close to him that he is an expert at "double-dipping" on fees. This press hound attorney proficiently sabotages his client... usually the wife of a rich deadbeat... and then benefits from the other side. He has "solid gold" relationships with a handful of judges. If this report is true, where is the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct? Where is the district attorney? This famous press hound attorney takes pride is stating that he runs the courts and has influence in law enforcement.
It is reported by a close source that the famous Old Press Hound Attorney’s law business has been suffering over the last decade and experiencing financial reversals. He is passe and not as sharp as the new breed of polished matrimonial attorneys. He survives by getting his face in the press any which way he can. He seems to love clients who have rich husbands… especially rich husbands who have access to foreign gold. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has been ignoring the dubious deeds of this Old Famous Press Hound Attorney who uses his powerful old Public Relation cronies to hoist him on the public.
Moms and children have been destroyed by this Old Corrupt Press Hound Attorney who proclaims to clients that he runs the matrimonial court in New York. Corruption in Manhattan's Divorce Courts once again garnered attention on February 9,2010 with Kevin Fasick's small article entitled, "Tycoon's Kids Homeless" In the Manhattan Divorce Courts, judges embracing the rich deadbeat dad seems to be the norm and not the exception. Children's needs can be ignored for years, unsatisfactory healthcare, etc while his unsavory deals are created with his favorite Judges who work along with him which inevitably seem to support rich monied deadbeat dads. Press hound attorney uses his influence with all, law enforcement, court to derail wife and kids. If yo have a story in this regard, please reply in confidence. Why are judges going along with this? If you can fill in the blanks please reply.