Divorce confronts one with many complex issues, emotional strain, uncertain outcomes, and often gut-wrenching decisions.
One question that most divorcing people do not consider when they retain the services of an attorney is: how much do need to interact and collaborate with my divorce lawyer? Do I leave everything to the lawyer, or do I need to be deeply involved in every step of the legal process?
The more engaged you are in your own divorce case, then the better informed you are and the better—and faster—you can make choices for your benefit.
Here is a breakdown of the practical considerations of how much engagement you have with your lawyer during your divorce case.
Clear Communication and Strategic Involvement
One of the main advantages of working closely with your divorce lawyer is clear and frequent communication. Being actively involved can ensure that your lawyer understands your interests, concerns, and goals. This helps your lawyer advise you as you make the choices that your case will place before you.
By staying engaged and maintaining an open dialogue with your lawyer, you can have a deeper understanding of what is happening at every stage of your case. You can keep track of deadlines, upcoming hearings, or mediation/settlement conferences. This can give you peace of mind, knowing you are kept in the loop.
Staying engaged allows you to provide your lawyer with timely updates and evidence that could be crucial for your case. For instance, if there’s a change in your financial situation or a shift in how you want to approach custody arrangements, the sooner your lawyer knows, the better your lawyer can act on your behalf.
For example, if you are particularly concerned about custody arrangements or alimony, keeping your lawyer informed about your positions and the facts that affect them can help your lawyer devote more effort and resources to achieving those objectives.
The more your lawyer knows about your situation and what’s important to you, the better. If you’re involved in discussions and providing evidence pertaining to child support, assets, or specific legal matters, it’s easier for your lawyer to tailor advice and to take action in your best interest.
Too Much Involvement Can Be Overwhelming
While being involved is important, overdoing it can create unnecessary stress and confusion for both you and your lawyer. Sometimes clients become hyper-involved in the details, calling and e-mailing with lengthy but meaningless “updates,” asking too often for updates, and questioning every bit of advice. This exhausts both your lawyer and your funds (nonstop interaction with your attorney means your attorney will bill you for that). Excessive interaction with your lawyer and the lawyer’s staff may actually slow down the process, as your lawyer ends up spending some much time working on and with “you” that the lawyer cannot make progress on your case.
You do need to find a lawyer you feel you can trust. Micromanaging your lawyer’s every step is counterproductive. Your emotional investment in the case is completely understandable but sometimes stepping back a bit and letting your lawyer’s professional skill and detachment can both reduce your anxiety and help you stay focused on the big picture.
Regularly check in with your lawyer to make sure you’re on the same page but be mindful not to overload them with too many small updates. Keep it relevant and impactful.
The Right Approach
The key is finding a balance between being sufficiently involved and giving your lawyer the space to do his or her job effectively.
It’s important to trust the professionals who are guiding you through your divorce. Give them the information they need, keep communication lines open, and listen to their advice. Recognize also when it is time to defer to your lawyer’s advice.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
