Oh The Misery

Going through a divorce is miserable. It is the break up a relationship. It is the dissolution of a marriage and that is never a happy event. I as your attorney know and acknowledge the pain you are feeling. I understand your mental frailty and it is up to me to keep a level head when you cannot. It is up to me to help you make decisions and give you sound advice when all of your friends tell you about their acquaintances who have done so much better than I am telling you that you will do in court. It is up to me not to sugar coat your situation and at the risk of being called cold and unfeeling it is my job to protect your interests. It is true that I work for you, but I am an independent contractor in the sense that I decide how to proceed with your case. Most of you are co-operative and are pleased to know I am on your side and have your best interests at heart. You are respectful to my staff and grateful that our knowledgeable office is doing everything in its power to help get you through this tough time. Most of you also know you are not our only client and understand that there are delays which cannot always be avoided and that the judicial process itself is slow going.

Some of you though, are the perpetual victim, and to those of you I address this post. Being nasty to my staff is counterproductive to your case. Refusing to pay your bill and insisting that I understand your financial situation and stating that you cannot pay for services already rendered will not endear you to me, or make me worker harder on your case. I need to pay my staff and my bills, this is not a not-for profit organization, it is a law firm. If you want pro bono assistance put your name on a list and wait your turn. Do not think you can avoid responsibility for your own actions or behaviors by saying that I "did nothing" for you. If you are unhappy with your result chances are you did something contrary to my advice or that you failed to understand that sometimes the judicial system does not render a "just" decision but a decision meant to make everyone unhappy for entering their hollowed halls seeking a result they should have achieved on their own without court intervention.

Divorce is not easy, but biting at the hand that reaches out to help you is not only ill advised, it is just plain stupid. If you want to blame someone look in the mirror chances are you are the problem not your lawyer.