I'm here for the $500 Divorce.....

Such has been the first line in many a conversation I have had lately with clients coming in for a free consultation. I have resisted for years the temptation to charge hourly as other attorneys do for the sometimes 45 minute brain picking session which results many times in never hearing from the client again. I usually allow no more than 30 minutes which I consider generous but inevitably there is always that "one more question." The most frequent request lately has been for the mythical "500 divorce." Although I am sure these clients have seen this somewhere, in that too many of them have requested this fee, I still have not found the exact source. In NY the filing fees alone almost exceed this price with the filing Fees at approximately $390.00 depending on how many certified copies you need. After reading my post about Do it yourself Divorces, why would anyone want to do it themselves? They don't; they want me to do it for $500. I am also asked to do a real estate closing for $500. When did $500 become the magic number? Sure I will sit at any closing for $500, but that will not include negotiating the contract; ordering and reading your title report to insure that there are no title problems; ordering your termite inspection; checking for all co's and cc's on the house figuring all the costs involved in the closing and how to make the checks payable. I tell my clients, if I do my job correctly the closing should just be a formality taking no more than an hour. (Provided the Bank has its act together as well). Client's don't bat an eye at real estate commissions exceeding $10,000 but a $1200 legal fee becomes something they want to negotiate. In fixing up that "Old House" I guess Bob Vila made it difficult out there for all of us by showing ordinary man he can do anything. Well maybe he can, but not for $500.

I'm here for the $500 Divorce.....

Such has been the first line in many a conversation I have had lately with clients coming in for a free consultation. I have resisted for years the temptation to charge hourly as other attorneys do for the sometimes 45 minute brain picking session which results many times in never hearing from the client again. I usually allow no more than 30 minutes which I consider generous but inevitably there is always that "one more question." The most frequent request lately has been for the mythical "500 divorce." Although I am sure these clients have seen this somewhere, in that too many of them have requested this fee, I still have not found the exact source. In NY the filing fees alone almost exceed this price with the filing Fees at approximately $390.00 depending on how many certified copies you need. After reading my post about Do it yourself Divorces, why would anyone want to do it themselves? They don't; they want me to do it for $500. I am also asked to do a real estate closing for $500. When did $500 become the magic number? Sure I will sit at any closing for $500, but that will not include negotiating the contract; ordering and reading your title report to insure that there are no title problems; ordering your termite inspection; checking for all co's and cc's on the house figuring all the costs involved in the closing and how to make the checks payable. I tell my clients, if I do my job correctly the closing should just be a formality taking no more than an hour. (Provided the Bank has its act together as well). Client's don't bat an eye at real estate commissions exceeding $10,000 but a $1200 legal fee becomes something they want to negotiate. In fixing up that "Old House" I guess Bob Vila made it difficult out there for all of us by showing ordinary man he can do anything. Well maybe he can, but not for $500.

Tom Cruise, Big Love and Child Custody
Is any of it in the Best Interest of the Children?

Many years ago a man walked in my office wanting to hire me to defend him in a divorce proceeding. The man was adamant about not wanting a divorce. He loved his wife, but he didn't love her religion. The wife was a practicing Jehovah's Witness and the husband was unhappy participant in the religion. It seems the wife was convinced that her husband had an affair(the likes of which he vehemently denied) and he church ex-communicated him when she told them about the perceived adultery; subsequently forcing the wife to seek a divorce. Not only didn't the husband want the divorce, but he wanted his wife and kids away from the whole Jehovah's Witness religion. He brought me in all of the literature he could get his hands I and I research the religion myself extensively. The resulting findings were rather disturbing to this mainstream mother of 4. Birthdays are not celebrated, gifts are never given and for the most part celebrations in general are banned. There is never dancing allowed at weddings and the "Church" has some very strict ideas about medicine and science in general. Blood transfusions are strickly prohibited as are all forms of surgical intervention.
With all the recent press on Tom Cruise, the Scientolgist of note in this country as well as the recent HBO phenomena "Big Love" which explores the lives of those practicing polygamy (Yup, it is outlawed in this country, even in Utah). These so called radical religions brings up tons of issues in potential custody cases as to whether practicing this religion is in the best interest of the children. Interesting case law exists where the government has sought to intervene on behalf of a child where it is felt that medically the child is endangered by the parent's religious beliefs. Most of these cases involve Child Protective services being called in where medical treatment has been with held. The cases pretty much come down on the side of appropriate medical care when there is a dispute between the medical community and the parents, but one must wonder how many times children are harmed in the name of religious freedom.
Scientology is thrilled to have the royalty of Hollywood decrying their cause. Scientolgy claims to be compatible with all religions but depicts psychiatry and psychology as evil and abusive. As with Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists try to mold their followers into believing that modern medicine in general is evil and should not be trusted. Scientologists prohibit breast feeding of infants. Instead of this being a personal maternal choice, the "church" has decided what is in the best interest of the child.
One needs only to watch one episode of "Big Love" to feel how disturbing and disfunctional this lifestyle is to everyone in the family. Children are herded together as sheep with very little ability to develop their own outside interests in that their lives are shrouded in secrecy or lies.
Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that these "cults" label themselves as religions, thus allowing them to operate within the confines of the freedoms America was founded. The question, begs, however, at what cost and to whom.

Tom Cruise, Big Love and Child Custody
Is any of it in the Best Interest of the Children?

Many years ago a man walked in my office wanting to hire me to defend him in a divorce proceeding. The man was adamant about not wanting a divorce. He loved his wife, but he didn't love her religion. The wife was a practicing Jehovah's Witness and the husband was unhappy participant in the religion. It seems the wife was convinced that her husband had an affair(the likes of which he vehemently denied) and he church ex-communicated him when she told them about the perceived adultery; subsequently forcing the wife to seek a divorce. Not only didn't the husband want the divorce, but he wanted his wife and kids away from the whole Jehovah's Witness religion. He brought me in all of the literature he could get his hands I and I research the religion myself extensively. The resulting findings were rather disturbing to this mainstream mother of 4. Birthdays are not celebrated, gifts are never given and for the most part celebrations in general are banned. There is never dancing allowed at weddings and the "Church" has some very strict ideas about medicine and science in general. Blood transfusions are strickly prohibited as are all forms of surgical intervention.
With all the recent press on Tom Cruise, the Scientolgist of note in this country as well as the recent HBO phenomena "Big Love" which explores the lives of those practicing polygamy (Yup, it is outlawed in this country, even in Utah). These so called radical religions brings up tons of issues in potential custody cases as to whether practicing this religion is in the best interest of the children. Interesting case law exists where the government has sought to intervene on behalf of a child where it is felt that medically the child is endangered by the parent's religious beliefs. Most of these cases involve Child Protective services being called in where medical treatment has been with held. The cases pretty much come down on the side of appropriate medical care when there is a dispute between the medical community and the parents, but one must wonder how many times children are harmed in the name of religious freedom.
Scientology is thrilled to have the royalty of Hollywood decrying their cause. Scientolgy claims to be compatible with all religions but depicts psychiatry and psychology as evil and abusive. As with Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists try to mold their followers into believing that modern medicine in general is evil and should not be trusted. Scientologists prohibit breast feeding of infants. Instead of this being a personal maternal choice, the "church" has decided what is in the best interest of the child.
One needs only to watch one episode of "Big Love" to feel how disturbing and disfunctional this lifestyle is to everyone in the family. Children are herded together as sheep with very little ability to develop their own outside interests in that their lives are shrouded in secrecy or lies.
Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that these "cults" label themselves as religions, thus allowing them to operate within the confines of the freedoms America was founded. The question, begs, however, at what cost and to whom.

Hotline Numbers

Since the title of this Blog is Divorce Hotline, I thought it appropriate to have a blog article with some helpful phone numbers. The numbers below are specific to New York, however, most states have similiar services. Brighter Tomorrows has agencies in many states; so if New York is not your home state check out your local telephone directory for help numbers.

Phone Numbers for Other Agencies Offering Health Care Assistance
AIDS Hotline (631) 385-2437
Cancer Information 1-800-4CANCER
Pregnancy and Prenatal Care information (631) 853-3033

Hotline Numbers
Mental Health Emergency (631) 952-3333
Poison Control (516) 542-2323
Response Crisis Hotline (631) 751-7500
Social Services Emergency Services (631) 854-9100

Phone Numbers for Private Agencies for Assistance with Abuse
Brighter Tomorrows (shelter) (631) 395-1800
Parents Anonymous (Suffolk chapters) (631) 265-3311
Protective Services for Adults (631) 853-2235
Retreat (shelter) (631) 329-2200
Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (shelter) (631) 666-8833
Victims Information Bureau (VIBS) of Suffolk County Government (631) 360-3606
Victims Information Bureau Rape Hotline (631) 360-3607

Numbers for Private Agencies w/Assistance for Drug & Alcohol Abuse
AA, Spanish Intergroup (516) 223-9590
Alcoholics Anonymous (631) 669-1124
Alternatives (631) 369-1200
Phoenix House – Smithtown (631) 979-7300
Phoenix House – Brentwood (631) 306-5700
Catholic Charities (631) 543-6200
Suffolk County Dept. of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (631) 853-8500
Women for Sobriety (631) 499-6848
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/index.htm; The site to find more about Child's Health Plus

Hotline Numbers

Since the title of this Blog is Divorce Hotline, I thought it appropriate to have a blog article with some helpful phone numbers. The numbers below are specific to New York, however, most states have similiar services. Brighter Tomorrows has agencies in many states; so if New York is not your home state check out your local telephone directory for help numbers.

Phone Numbers for Other Agencies Offering Health Care Assistance
AIDS Hotline (631) 385-2437
Cancer Information 1-800-4CANCER
Pregnancy and Prenatal Care information (631) 853-3033

Hotline Numbers
Mental Health Emergency (631) 952-3333
Poison Control (516) 542-2323
Response Crisis Hotline (631) 751-7500
Social Services Emergency Services (631) 854-9100

Phone Numbers for Private Agencies for Assistance with Abuse
Brighter Tomorrows (shelter) (631) 395-1800
Parents Anonymous (Suffolk chapters) (631) 265-3311
Protective Services for Adults (631) 853-2235
Retreat (shelter) (631) 329-2200
Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (shelter) (631) 666-8833
Victims Information Bureau (VIBS) of Suffolk County Government (631) 360-3606
Victims Information Bureau Rape Hotline (631) 360-3607

Numbers for Private Agencies w/Assistance for Drug & Alcohol Abuse
AA, Spanish Intergroup (516) 223-9590
Alcoholics Anonymous (631) 669-1124
Alternatives (631) 369-1200
Phoenix House – Smithtown (631) 979-7300
Phoenix House – Brentwood (631) 306-5700
Catholic Charities (631) 543-6200
Suffolk County Dept. of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (631) 853-8500
Women for Sobriety (631) 499-6848
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/index.htm; The site to find more about Child's Health Plus

Big Brother George 2006?

Yes, I know I should be spitting mad that it has been discovered that our government knows how many times a day I call my mother. I should be outraged at the thought that the very freedoms we take for granted are being compromised by an overzealous president intent on saving us all from "evil doers." While I certainly find the thought of AT & T, Verizon and Cingular handing over all of their files to the government with less bluster than Google did when asked to hand over its internet files, disturbing; I am having a hard time with outrage. Perhaps 911 really desensitizing me into thinking that perhaps I want the government to be a little more "in the know" when it comes to what is going on out there across the great satellite channels. Perhaps it is the fact that I am too young to remember the era known as McCarthy-ism and the fact that many bright and talented people were blackballed and stopped from practicing their art.
"We are not trolling through the personal lives of millions of innocent Americans," said our president; and I for one believe that to be true. I am happy, however, that congress has taken the initiative to call in the phone company executives and ask some questions. Demonstrating why we in fact have the system of checks and balances, Congress is in my opinion stepping up to the plate to insure that the average American's rights are not unduly effected by this security measure. Like everyone else, I am not happy that our post 911 lives have changed, making us all a little more cautious and frightened at the same time. We have been forced to give up some of our freedoms; now I may never see the inside of the White House. Yes, I am upset at our government for invading my privacy; but I am more outraged over those who enter this country from outside its boarders and do harm to our citizens. Ok, George, play Big Brother for a while, but round them up the way you promised and find those who have forced this new lifestyle on us.