Do you have a Rhode Island divorce that you would like to settle amicably, economically and as quickly as possible? If so, you may have an uncontested divorce.
So what do you need to be wary of?
Simply put, hiring the wrong uncontested divorce lawyer!
You would think it would be easier, wouldn't you? Of course you would! After all, in an uncontested divorce the parties are more agreeable and they don't want things to be a battle. That should mean that it makes less work for your uncontested divorce lawyer, right?
Logic would make you think that an uncontested divorce would cost less if you hire any lawyer in Rhode Island. Sadly, it's not always the case.
Now, I want you to know that there are good lawyers in Rhode Island who will treat your uncontested divorce properly and make a real effort to settle your divorce exactly as you want it . . . amicably, economically and as quickly as possible.
Regrettably this is not true for all lawyers who might handle your uncontested RI divorce. As a divorce practitioner I try to maximize my time when I am in court. Typically I am found working on another client's case to maximize my time before the Judge takes the bench or when the Judge has left the bench to hear conferences or for the morning or afternoon break. Most of this time is spent trying to block out the chatter of other lawyers when I'm doing this. However, many times some of it seeps in because of the nature of the conversation.
I overheard a conversation in which one lawyer determined how much it would cost for the lawyer's yearly trips abroad, the cost for payments on the lawyer's summer home, the cost of private school for the lawyer's children and other costs the lawyer had to pay. What forced its way into my workday as I waited for my conference time with the Judge was the lawyer's statement that he/she had to bring in X number of clients each month and had to make $4,000 off each client in order to make the lawyer's desired income for the year. The lawyers conversing with each other did not differentiate between a contested case or an uncontested case. The lawyer's goal was simply to make $4,000 off each client regardless of the circumstances.
If you had an uncontested divorce in Rhode Island and you happened to interview the lawyer in this conversation, and you wanted an amicable, economical divorce as quickly as possible . . . would you want to know the lawyer's underlying financial goals for himself or herself? Would you hire that lawyer if you knew that the lawyer's expectation was that the lawyer make $4,000 from you by the time your case was completed?
This is the danger Rhode Islanders and others going before the Rhode Island Family Court System and seeking an uncontested Rhode Island Divorce need to be aware of.
In one case I have represented a client whose husband engaged a lawyer who in my professional opinion is without scruples and has little concern for anything other than money. Very shortly into the case the spouses began to be very amicable with one another.
I always make it a practice to encourage parties to be amicable and to speak with one another to resolve their issues if they are able to do so because it is not only in their own best interests but leads to a faster and less expensive divorce. The husband apparently came to the conclusion that his divorce lawyer was not interested in being amicable or in being thrifty and the husband decided to terminate his lawyer and work out what would be an uncontested divorce with his wife.
What ensued, to my understanding, was nothing short of reprehensible to any person of moral conduct. The lawyer supposedly improperly stated that the client could not terminate him and that the lawyer would have to file a motion and go to court and this would cost him another $600 for the court appearance plus the time he had already spent. After what I can only presume was some form of bullying by using what I suspect to be incorrect information to his own client, the husband provided more funds to the lawyer via a post dated check. Although the lawyer knew funds were not yet available to cover the check, the lawyer rushed to the bank and deposited it at the earliest possibility. The husband's own lawyer then threatened that if the funds did not clear that he would "come after him" or "call the police".
Would you want this lawyer to represent you? Would you really think this lawyer was truly representing your best interests in your divorce?
The end result? The husband was apparently so afraid by his own lawyer's threates that he would be sued or arrested that he did not fire the lawyer. Somehow the husband came to believe that the consequences of terminating his lawyer would be greater than simply going through the process with the lawyer.
If you think this is an isolated lawyer and an isolated case, I must regrettably say that you would be incorrect. While in my humble opinion this is certainly a case of unethical conduct by a lawyer who professes to look out for the client's interests until they discover otherwise, it is not an isolated incident.
All you need to do is pick up the Rhode Island Providence Journal Bulletin to see the stories about lawyers embezzling funds from clients, misusing funds, and other inappropriate conduct that often lead to lawyers being suspended or disbarred to know how important it is to find the right lawyer, especially if you are seeking an uncontested divorce.
Where do you start?
Have at least three consultations (preferably 5) with lawyers known for practicing divorce law regularly in the Rhode Island Family Court System? Many lawyers offer free consultations. Go ahead and take advantage of their free offer. Note how much time you get with the lawyer. See whether they start talking about themselves first or if they concentrate on your needs first. Do they take the time to truly listen? By the time you leave each consultation, make a note if each lawyer has given you any legal tips, points, or advice that you could use even if you didn't decide to hire that lawyer or if you decided to try to represent yourself.
Lastly, consider putting me on your list of divorce lawyers to see. Now while I stopped offering the "free consultations" that my colleagues choose to offer because of the abuse of "free consultations", I charge only a nominal fee for my time. Ultimately I have not had one person who was unhappy with the consultation and the vast majority of people want to hire me but sometimes I have to turn people away so that I can give all my clients the attention they deserve.
No matter what, you don't go away empty handed. You leave your consultation with solid legal advice and information you can use to help and protect yourself. Plus, I might just be able to help you get to a good attorney who, not unlike me, will have your best interests at heart.
A divorce lawyer should be guiding you to a better tomorrow, not forcing you into bankruptcy with expensive fees and costs. You may find that all you need is a little help from me as a Rhode Island Divorce Coach and you'll be on your way to a better tomorrow.
Authored By:
Christopher A. Pearsall
Attorney-at-Law
176 BlackRock Road
Coventry, RI 02816
Call (401) 632-6976 Now for your low-cost consultation.
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Copyright 2009. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
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A Lawyer who Hates Lawyers? What is this RI Divorce Lawyer Really Saying?
Today, I am a Rhode Island lawyer focusing my practice on divorce and divorce coaching. Looking back decades ago I remember another lawyer who had been practicing in another state for some 40+ years who said something that perplexed me.
The lawyer was about as true, honorable, and generous a gentleman as I have ever met. He had all the qualities I envisioned a good lawyer would have. He truly cared about each of his clients. He fought for each one within the bounds of the law, within his professional code of ethics, and with a high degree of morality. The lawyer knew that I greatly admired him as both a person and as a lawyer.
One extremely hot summer afternoon this lawyer returned to his office after losing a district court hearing. He plopped himself down in the chair at the opposite end of the short conference room table I was sitting at in his office law library. His secretary nervously brought him a lemonade and napkin then quickly skirted out of the room. There was an endless silence.
Finally, I spoke,
The lawyer lifted his head, wiped his brow with a napkin, grabbed a nearby law book and flung it across his law library breaking the law book's spine.
It was one of the first times I had ever seen this man so upset.
I was quiet until the lawyer spoke.
This time the pause was endless yet I was just too puzzled not to speak.The lawyer was quiet again, so I asked it as a question.
The lawyer waited quite awhile before speaking.
The conversation ended.
I've been working in the legal field now for more than 20 years since that conversation.
As a Rhode Island lawyer, I am bound by a Professional Code of Ethical Conduct among other things. There are things that I shouldn't say or do and there are things that I can't say or do despite the right to Free Speech guaranteed to all of us by the United States Constitution. The layperson would be amazed.
* * * A Message for Roger * * *
For a point of reference only, the lawyer's name was Roger.
Hopefully he's still alive and hopefully he is in tune enough with today's "internet" that he reads this article.
First, to this great lawyer.
Now, to my readers I offer this.
You may not understand this statement until you meet with me.
With that said, I can tell you that as a Rhode Island Lawyer who has focused my practice exclusively in the area of divorce and family law, I cannot make your problems go away. No lawyer can! Yet some lawyers may tell you they can to get you as a client.
Lawyers can't make your problems go away because fundamentally they are your problems. Only you can take responsibility for those challenges in your life. Only you truly have the power to resolve those challenges by your decisions.
However, I can tell you that I can help you understand and get through your Rhode Island divorce or family law challenges by working with you either as your Coach or as your Representative.
* * * Your Divorce Coaching Program * * *
Roger's words were invaluable. Today, they are the powerful force motivating the continued growth of your Family Law Coaching program.
I call it Your Program because it is designed specifically for you. It is designed to teach you, train you, advise you, inform you, and save you time and money in the areas of divorce and family law.
As Your Coaching Program continues to evolve, it will continue to work faster for you, become more economical for you, and become more helpful for you.
Whatever you choose to believe, there is one thing you can know with certainty. I am one lawyer trying to make a difference for YOU with a new and innovative way of practice designed by hard work, my belief that you can do more than you believe you can at this moment, and your willingness to be open to something new that works.
What can Your Coaching Program help you with? Here is a brief list . . .
Rhode Island Divorces & Legal Separations, Rhode Island Child Support Establishment, Modifications, Collections and Terminations, Rhode Island Child Custody Matters and Child Custody Modifications, Rhode Island Petitions to Enforced Marital Settlement Agreements and Property Settlement Agreements, Preparing Pre-Nuptual Agreements and Ante-Nuptual Agreements in Rhode Island, RI Petitions to Move Out of State with Minor Children, Petitions to Establish Paternity in Rhode Island, Rhode Island Motions to Adjudge In Contempt and Defense of those Contempt Motions, Protection from Abuse Petitions and Defense Against Such Petitions, Rhode Island Motions and Petitions to Establish, Modify or Terminate Visitation, RI Common Law Divorces and their Defense, Rhode Island Legal Rights, Rhode Island Family Court Procedures, 2nd Opinions about your Attorney on Rhode Island Divorce Cases, Pro Se Representation (i.e. Representing Yourself Appropriately in Family Court), and many more . . .
Look for the Testimonials Section about Your Coaching Program which is coming soon. Feel Free to Call Me for a low-cost Coaching Session!
Attorney Christopher A. Pearsall - Phone: (401) 632-6976
Posted by Attorney Christopher A. Pearsall on July 07, 2010 at 08:42 PM in Affordable Legal Advice, After-Acquired Property, Alimony, Attorney Ethics, Attorney Liens, Attorney Morality & Integrity, Attorney Tactics, Billing Issues, Child Placement, Child Support, College Obligations, Commentaries, Common Law Marriage, Coping with Divorce, Coventry, RI - Uncontested Divorces, DCYF and Parental Alienation, Differing Family Law Services, Divorce & 401Ks, Divorce & Addictions, Divorce & Adultery, Divorce & Affairs, Divorce & Affordable Help, Divorce & Assets, Divorce & Attorneys Fees, Divorce & Bank Accounts, Divorce & Cheating, Divorce & Child Care, Divorce & Children, Divorce & Children's Rights, Divorce & Coaching, Divorce & Computer Data Recovery, Divorce & Contempt, Divorce & Controversial, Divorce & Counseling, Divorce & Court Orders, Divorce & Credit Cards, Divorce & Dating, Divorce & Death, Divorce & Debt, Divorce & Defenses, Divorce & Discovery, Divorce & Evidence, Divorce & Experts, Divorce & Fathers, Divorce & Forensic Data Recovery, Divorce & Grounds, Divorce & Healthcare, Divorce & Intercourse, Divorce & IRAs, Divorce & Judicial Bias, Divorce & Legal Resources, Divorce & Love, Divorce & Marriage, Divorce & Mediation, Divorce & Medical Provisions, Divorce & Men, Divorce & Mothers, Divorce & Motions, Divorce & Pensions, Divorce & Personal Injury Claims, Divorce & Pre-Trials, Divorce & Prejudice, Divorce & Questions, Divorce & Separation, Divorce & Trials, Divorce & Women, Divorce & Your State of Mind, Divorce and Computers, Divorce and Forensic Evidence, Divorce and Mental Health, Divorce Appeals, Divorce Attorney Fees & Costs, Divorce Attorneys & Disciplinary Complaints, Divorce Costs & Expenses, Divorce Court, Divorce Forms, Divorce Hearings and Trials, Divorce Kits, Divorce Lawyers, Divorce Lawyers & Practice Philosophies, Divorce Principles, Divorce Procedure, Divorce Questions, Divorce Settlements, Equitable Distribution, Family Court & Children, Family Law Ethics, Forensic Computer Data Recovery Specialists, Grandparents Rights, Guardian Ad Litem Reports, Healthcare, Inheritances, Insurances, Judicial Abuse, Judicial Misconduct, Laypeople Acting PRO SE, Legal Article Directories, Legal Custody, Low Cost Divorce, Marital Assets, Marital Home, Marital Settlement Agreements, Non-Marital Assets, Parental Rights, Physical Custody of Children, Placement, Post-Divorce Moving Issues, Pre-Marital Assets, Property Settlement Agreements, Protection from Abuse, Rhode Island Case Law, Rhode Island Common Law, Rhode Island Debt, Rhode Island Divorce & Bankruptcy, Rhode Island Divorce Coaches, Rhode Island Divorce Coaching, Rhode Island Divorce Laws, Rhode Island Nominal Proceedings, RI Child Custody Attorneys & Lawyers, RI Common Law Divorces, RI Common Law Marriage, RI Divorce & Real Estate, RI Divorce and Bankruptcy, RI Divorce and Bi-Sexuality, RI Divorce and Homosexuality, RI Divorce and Legal Presumptions, RI Divorce and Military Benefits, RI Divorce and Perspectives, RI Divorce Attorney Apology, RI Divorce Grounds, RI Divorce Residency Requirement, RI Divorce Settlement Dangers, RI Divorce Terminology, RI Family Court Judges - Philosophy, RI General Laws about Divorce, RI Uncontested Divorces, Statutory Waiting Period, Tax Issues, Testimonials, Tricky Divorce Issues, Uncontested Divorces in Rhode Island, Visitation | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
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