What is the Best Way to Work With Your Attorney in Your Divorce, Legal Separation or Paternity Case to try and Obtain the Best Result in Court as Well as Keep Your Legal Fees low in 2014 in San Diego?

Make A List Of Your Goals For Your Legal Separation, Divorce Or Paternity Case Before You Meet With Your Attorney

Before meeting with your attorney for your San Diego family law case, it is important for you to list your goals. Whether your case is a divorce, paternity or legal separation, one of the goals will revolve around your parenting plan if you have children. It can be very helpful to get a calendar for the next twelve months and put down the days and time you want for parenting. While you may think the attorney knows your goals, this is not always correct and it is important for you to specifically state what it is you want at the end of the case. As you may not know what is a realistic expectation, or what procedures can be used to try and obtain your goals, clearly enumerating what these are will help significantly. The best way is to make a written list, put it away for a day or two and then finalize. This will give you time to reflect and make any changes. Also, of course, if your goals change during your case, it is very important to tell your attorney as the strategies which are implemented may need to be changed.

Do Not Sabotage Your Case

Unfortunately, in many cases, client’s will damage or destroy their own case. For example, threatening or striking your spouse during the divorce [and before of course as well] will result in a temporary restraining order which can have devastating effects on a parenting plan. Many times, a spouse will try and provoke another spouse and do not allow yourself to be provoked. Be very aware of social media whether this is Facebook, Twitter or other sites. Remember that anything you post becomes public. Do you really want the Judge to see you out drinking and partying while it is your time to parent [or not] while your family law case is pending? While in a legal separation, paternity or divorce, your life is subject to scrutiny at all levels and many refer to this as being “under a microscope”. Technology, such as e mail and text, is great for communicating but also great for evidentiary purposes. Again, do you want the Judge to see the 3:30am e mail or 4:00am text you sent when you could not sleep and were so upset? The Judge is not emotionally involved in your case and will view all evidence objectively and without passion so make sure any written communications are suitable for the Court to view without criticizing you.

Obtain All Records Needed So A Proper Analysis Can Be Made Of Your Legal Issues Whether A Paternity, Divorce Or Legal Separation

This is easier said than often done. Obtaining all the records needed can take hours and hours of work and also may need to involve third parties [banks, credit card companies, title companies, escrow companies, etc] to get complete documentation. Of course, as evidence is presented, this may change the legal opinion. It is very important that the legal analysis be based on accurate and full documents and the schedule of assets and debts lists these in detail and is a very good place to state. You can obtain this form on the San Diego Superior Court website so you can start before your first meeting with your attorney.

Use E Mail To Communicate Rather Than Telephone Calls

In 2014, it may be best to communicate by e mail. All are very busy and leaving voice mails may not be the best strategy. Attorneys, of course, are often in court during the business day. E mail allows for communications which can be reviewed and responded to and also has the benefit of a written record so all can be “on the same page”. While nothing replaces a conversation on the phone, for communications during a family law case, e mail may be the best method of communication.

If Not Issues Of Custody & Visitation, Make “Business” Decisions Rather Than Emotional Decisions

All of us are only human. During a family law case, tensions and conflict and emotion can run very high. Many times, an offer from the opposing side is met with “no” before an analysis is done. Your attorney is not emotionally involved and can help you make decisions on a financial basis and not an emotional one.

How Can A San Diego Law Firm Help?

The Law Office of Doppelt and Forney, APLC can help you navigate the emotional and complex family law matters. Working with them should be part of your solution and not part of your problem which is their goal. By offering a free in-person or virtual consultation up to thirty minutes, you can discuss your goals and the attorney can recommend the best strategies to obtain these goals and protect your rights. Feel free to call and schedule your consultation and you can discuss the best way to work with the Law Firm to help you with your future.