Blog
Hourly Billing Woes
Over the weekend, I read a good article in the Palm Beach Post about hourly legal fees charged to the School Board. These bills were of course ultimately paid by us, the taxpayers in Palm Beach County. The law firm billed at the rate of $660 per hour. The columnist made light of the obvious…
3 Signs That Collaborative Divorce Is Not Right For You
For the large majority of families, the benefits of the collaborative divorce process (privacy, respect, non-adversarial nature) far outweigh the cons. However, in some instances, collaborative divorce is not the best fit to address the issues in your divorce. Collaborative divorce is not the best solution for you IF: REVENGE – If you or your…
7 Questions To See If Collaborative Divorce Is A Good Fit For You
Divorce is not fun and it’s not easy. This is true no matter which process you decide is the best fit for your divorce. However, some divorces are much better than others. Almost all of us know someone that has been through an ugly divorce. In my experience, just about every one of those “ugly…
Divorce Planning > Divorce Fighting
How we help couples and families through the process of divorce has come a long way during the 15 years that I have been practicing divorce law in Palm Beach County. Traditional Divorce Litigation (Fighting): Your attorney should: Pay attention to the “consequential facts” in your case. These are the facts that the law and…
How To Achieve A Healthy Divorce
In divorce, as with many things in life, the process matters. When you are first considering divorce and what life might look like after divorce, lots of questions come to mind. How do we separate our finances? How do we divide our assets and debts? Will my spouse or I need financial support? How do…
FAQ: Collaborative Divorce
What is a “Collaborative Divorce”? Answer: A legal process that provides both spouses with separate collaboratively trained lawyers that help them to resolve all of the conflicts in their divorce without any court litigation.[i] The Florida Supreme Court has recognized the benefits of the Collaborative Divorce Process regularly. In 2001, the court acknowledged Collaborative…
Collaborative Divorce or Mediation: What’s the Difference?
Recently, I gave a short presentation on the collaborative divorce process and the benefits that this process provides when compared to a litigated divorce (i.e. court battle). One of the attorneys in the room asked, “What is the difference between the collaborative divorce process and mediation?” I think it’s a good question. Below, I have…
Taking Action Without a Plan is a Mistake in Divorce
The divorce process will have a major impact on you, your family, your assets and your financial future. Taking the time to consider what is most important to you and your family before filing a contested divorce action can save you years of litigation and many thousands of dollars. Also, you can retain control of…
Your Divorce Lawyer Shouldn’t Do Better When You Do Worse
Lately, I have noticed the commercial for financial advisors that promotes, “we do better when you do better”. The message in this commercial is clear and it makes sense. The financial advisor is working together with you towards a common goal, to help you make money. They benefit when they help you to accomplish your…
Divorce Budget – What Is That?
The process of divorce can be daunting. Many spouses that I meet with for the first time have concerns over how the process of divorce works. Where do we start? Where do we end? How much does it cost? How long will it take? Can we do this without a legal battle? They have worked…