Rhode Island Divorce Tips by Attorney Chris Pearsall

Your RI Divorce Can Be Easier - Use a RI Divorce Coaching Lawyer

Rhode Island Divorce was imminent for Jared and Tina Armston.  They both knew it.  So they started making plans to go their separate ways.  They could reach agreement on almost everything but they dreaded going through the Rhode Island Family Court and get their divorce process started.
 

DIVORCE WORRY 

Divorce is a word that makes most people worry.  It's understandable.  Most people have no idea what to expect.  So wouldn't things be much easier if you knew what to expect?  Sure!

If you were in a sailboat and you wanted to get to a particular direction you can think of "worry" as that huge wind that is blowing against your sail pushing against the direction you want to go in and threatening to tip your sailboat over.  Hey, it's scary!  I know.  I've been there and I've been through it before I became a lawyer.

I remember that divorce wind of "worry" wanting to capsize the little sailboat I was in and drown me.  This was at a time in my life when I knew NOTHING about how a Rhode Island Divorce works at all.  It literally drives some people insane.
 

THE SOLUTION TO "DIVORCE WORRY"

So what can you do to deal with that divorce worry, right?  Do what Tina Armston and many like her have done.  Come and see me for a Coaching Session!  Tina was apprehensive for our first 10 minutes together and by the time we were done I saw her shoulders relax, she sat in my office comfortably and she was no longer calling me Attorney Pearsall as I had heard for the first 10 minutes.  The more I explained to her and the more I answered her questions the better she felt and the more confident she became.  By the end of our session her Rhode Island divorce from Jared was no longer that overwhelming mystery that was threatening to topple her sailboat and drown her.  Tina had helped herself by coming to me to increase her knowledge and answer her questions about Rhode Island divorce.

Tina's divorce coaching session was one hour. During that time I drew several diagrams and a few numbered lists so she could literally see what to expect.  She was able to tell me about her marriage with Jared and she could see that I cared as I wrote down points to talk to her about while she told me the types of things that were causing her to worry so much.

By the end of our hour together she didn't have any questions that I hadn't answered for her.  She kept thanking me over and over as she wrote me a check for $135 for our Rhode Island divorce coaching session.

Tina kept thanking me as I escorted her back upstairs, held the door open for her and shook her hand.  The following dialog took place. 

FEELING BETTER

Tina:  "I feel like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders Chris.  Thank you so much. 

Attorney Pearsall:  It is was my pleasure Tina.  Do you mind giving me your honest opinion of what you thought of my "coaching" approach to divorce law?  Be as critical as you want, I just want to make sure I help the people who come to see me.  If you'd rather not say, that's okay too.

Tina:  Oh, well it certainly wasn't what I expected. I was scared about meeting with a lawyer and what to expect but I felt comfortable with you right away.  I like it that you explain things and you didn't talk down to me.  You paid attention to me and you listened to my questions and answered them.  It was great but you really should charge more, it was worth it. [Tina shook my hand again.]

Attorney Pearsall:   Thank you Tina I really appreciate your feedback.  If you think of anything I could have done better or differently, please let me know.

Tina:  I can't think of anything but I can tell you this was alot better than the two other lawyers who gave me their "Free Consultations", I didn't learn anything except how much money they wanted from me so they could represent me.

Attorney Pearsall:  I'm sorry you had a bad experience or two but feel free to contact me for another session if you want help throughout your divorce.

Tina:  I'll call you next week to set up a second session if that's okay.

Attorney Pearsall:  That's fine Tina.

Tina:  How much would that be?

Attorney Pearsall:  Each of my sessions are the one hour minimum of $135.00.  If you want to go over an hour they are just like this one, I charge for each quarter of an hour after that.

Tina:  I'm sure I'll only need the one hour.

Attorney Pearsall:  That's fine Tina.  We can do quite a bit together in an hour.

Tina:  Have a nice day Chris!

Attorney Pearsall:  You too Tina!  Watch your step walking back to your car.

 

WHAT HAPPENED WITH TINA?

So how did Tina's divorce end, right?  Suffice it to say that Tina came back to me several times for more Rhode Island divorce coaching sessions, she worked out an agreement with her husband Jared and did such a good job representing herself that an attorney in the courtroom went up to her and told her what a good job she did.  

Tina called me right after her Nominal Divorce hearing to let me know about the compliment she received.  She thought I deserved the compliment and not her.  I made sure she knew that the compliment was hers.  I wasn't there to represent her.  I did not say a thing for or against her in court.  All I did was coach her through her Rhode Island divorce so she understood things.  The compliment was entirely hers.

So your RI divorce can be easier than you think.  It doesn't have to be a time filled with so much fear where you feel overwhelmed ever minute and don't know what is going on or what to do next.  

Many times, if you don't have an overly complicated or bitter divorce, if you keep things amicable it can be a heck of alot easier.  How?  Follow Tina's lead . . . Use a RI Divorce Coaching Lawyer!

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by 

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present.  Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
 Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

Note: If this article contains a case scenario with names, dates or amounts, any resemblance any connection to any person or situation now or previously existing is purely accidental, unintentional, and is merely a mistaken creation in the mind of the reader.

* The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all attorneys in the general practice of law.  The court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any particular field of practice.

- - Recommended Websites - -

Pearsall.net | AttorneyPearsall.com | Rhode Island Divorce Tips | ChristopherPearsall.com | GuaranteedWealth.com | Rhode Island Divorce Attorney | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer | ChrisPearsall.com | LegalScholar.com | Pearsall-Law-Associates.com | Rhode Island Divorce Attorneys | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers | Rhode Island Divorce Coach  |  RI Divorce Coach | RI Divorce Lawyer on Twitter | Rhode Island Divorce Coach on Twitter | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer on Facebook.com| Attorney Chris Pearsall at LawGuru.com | Rhode Island Family Law Lawyer - RI Consumer Tips

One Reason Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers Bill Against Retainers Provided by Divorce Clients?

Rhode Island Divorce lawyers have strayed away from being good-hearted and accepting payment arrangements and smaller retainers from divorce clients. 

Why?

Well, one reason is far from greed.  This story explains one major reason why most Rhode Island divorce lawyers bill against retainers and more and more are asking for larger retainers.

 

* * Attorney Goodheart's Story * * 

Attorney Natalie Goodheart was an experienced Rhode Island divorce lawyer.  When Clementine D. Vorce called Attorney Goodheart and explained her story, Attorney Goodheart was appaulled and entered into an agreement to represent Clementine for roughly a 40% reduced hourly rate.  

Attorney Natalie Goodheart was true to her name and didn't hold Clementine strictly to their written fee arrangement.  Instead, Attorney Goodheart focused on Clementine's needs rather than her own pocket and wasn't sending her a bill every other week despite the mounting hours because Clementine's needs were more important.  

It was not your typical case.  Sydney had filed suit claiming that he and Clementine were married.  Clementine's position was that she wasn't married to Sydney.  Yet Attorney Goodheart believed that Clementine was correct when it clearly appeared that Sydney simply was angry the relationship was over and wanted part of Clementine's assets despite his failure to contribute substantially to those assets during their relationship.

Unfortunately this particular Rhode Island divorce case became more difficult as it continued.  This was not due to Clementine but due to Sydney wanting more and more from Clementine's assets.  

Attorney Goodheart's work hours started mounting up on the case so from time to time she was forced to ask Clementine for a payment against all the hours that hours she was working.

Still, the Rhode Island Divorce attorney kept working for Clementine sometimes without asking for a payment for months despite the increasing hours.  

Finally, Sydney forced the Rhode Island divorce to a trial. Attorney Goodheart warned Clementine that a Rhode Island divorce trial would be costly to prepare for and undergo and could cost between $10,000 and $20,000.

Attorney Goodheart and Clementine had already made several offers to resolve the issues present in the case but they were rejected.  Clementine was understandably fed up.  Clementine informed Attorney Goodheart that she would rather pay her to fight through the Rhode Island divorce trial than to make even one more offer to resolve the case.

Attorney Goodheart prepared extensively for the trial and unlike many cases this was a common law marriage allegation so in the end there would be a winner. 

When the dust cleared Attorney Goodheart had won for Clementine. The Rhode Island Judge found there was no marriage and denied and dismissed Sydney's claims.

Attorney Goodheart's prepared the final bill for her representation at the reduced amount of 60% of her normal fee.  In addition, she decided to offer to write off another $4,000 if Clementine paid the bill in full in 30 days.

Clementine's response was not the positive one Attorney Goodheart expected, especially in light of their "win" at trial.  

Clementine offered to pay Attorney Goodheart 40% of the entire bill as payment in full.  Attorney Goodheart was upset by her client's inability to realize what she was already offering yet she agreed to meet Clementine halfway by writing off approximately 50% of her bill.

Attorney Goodheart was astounded by the response.  Clementine once again offered Attorney Goodheart the same offer after picking apart the Rhode Island Divorce attorney's performance during the case and the trial and clearly indicating that Attorney Goodhearts services were only worth 40% of the entire bill.

In the end, Attorney Goodheart decided that she wasn't about to let that much work go unpaid.  A Notice of Appeal to the Rhode Island Supreme Court was filed and Attorney Goodheart terminated the attorney/client relationship and gave notice that she intended to collect on the entire debt.

This is on reason why Rhode Island Divorce lawyers bill against retainers and are more and more being less "Good-hearted" and requiring higher retainers.  

There are many people who don't pay their divorce lawyers for the good work they do, even when their fees are reduced and the divorce lawyers agree to take a big hit on their fees.  

Several Rhode Island attorneys who had the tendency to be "good-hearted" have shared with me that being "good-hearted" just landed them 3 times more clients that don't pay them than the ones that do and their receivables were huge.  These attorneys lost several times more money than they make without the ability at tax time to reclaim any of their unpaid hours which may be lost forever.  

Many RI divorce lawyers have learned that being good-hearted often leads to bankruptcy because the lawyer needs to be paid and good intentions of clients don't pay very many bills. 

The fact is, many lawyers are not fat cats with condos, summer homes, boats, planes, large bank accounts, etc.....  Some attorneys make much less than clients simply because clients won't pay a good-hearted attorney's bill.

Clients who don't pay their divorce attorneys cause a circular pattern which increases fees and causes rates and retainers to rise.

Perhaps derrogatory jokes about lawyers should end and jokes are more appropriate for the deadbeat clients who cause the polycentric problem of higher retainers and rates that attorneys need to charge to survive.

Yet for those of us who retain an optimistic hope, we are willing to work for a reasonable legal fee for clients who will actually pay our bills.

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by 

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present.  Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
 Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

Note: If this article contains a case scenario with names, dates or amounts, any resemblance any connection to any person or situation now or previously existing is purely accidental, unintentional, and is merely a mistaken creation in the mind of the reader.

* The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all attorneys in the general practice of law.  The court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any particular field of practice.

- - Recommended Websites - -

Pearsall.net | AttorneyPearsall.com | Rhode Island Divorce Tips | ChristopherPearsall.com | GuaranteedWealth.com | Rhode Island Divorce Attorney | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer | ChrisPearsall.com | LegalScholar.com | Pearsall-Law-Associates.com | Rhode Island Divorce Attorneys | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers | Rhode Island Divorce Coach  |  RI Divorce Coach | RI Divorce Lawyer on Twitter | Rhode Island Divorce Coach on Twitter | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer on Facebook.com| Attorney Chris Pearsall at LawGuru.com | Rhode Island Family Law Lawyer - RI Consumer Tips

Amicable, Simple, Affordable Rhode Island Divorces are Possible without Lawyers!

Yes, amicable, simple and affordable Rhode Island Divorces are possible without lawyers.

It's true.   Now when I mean that these kinds of  Rhode Island Divorces are possible without the involvement of lawyers I am talking about without a lawyer representing the parties in the courtroom.

Now, I will admit that I probably sit with the minority of Rhode Island lawyers here when I take this position.  Heck, I may even be willing to agree that most other lawyers would not agree with me on this statement at all.  In fact, I may be one lawyer standing out here all alone in an open sea of lawyers giving people hope of the thought of a theme of "lawyers not required" without a single strand of support from a RI family law judge or any other Rhode Island lawyer at all on this position.

In actuality, I can easily see why RI Family Court judges and my fellow Rhode Island lawyers, and particularly fellow divorce attorneys, might have the initial reaction that I am in some sense slandering my profession, belittling what we do, or taking instant offense to my proposition.  Yet I would hope that the more learned colleagues in the profession would consider their actual response rather than merely react to what the initial gut reaction might be.

Notwithstanding any response however, you won't find me wavering one iota from taking the position that people can often do much better representing themselves in a divorce then engaging any one of our thousands of Rhode Island attorneys in our small state.

The fact is, if you extract lawyers who make money from both parties from the divorce scenario, you get two people who have more finances to divide and a better chance to move forward because they do.  That's one plus in favor of not involving lawyers.

Also, if you consider the fact that by and large more nominal cases are reached with an agreement by the actual nominal date assigned by the court when the parties reach an agreement on their own.

Does that mean that I believe there is little or no value in the education or knowledge that we as Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers and Judges have?

Absolutely not!  

What it does mean, is that I believe that a bit too often in the pursuit of careers and sometimes income that there are divorce and family law professionals who,

1)  create issues where they could just as easily resolve them;

 2)  cause conflict when they could establish harmony;

3)  destroy family relationships when they could save or strengthen them;

3)  extend a case and bill clients more when they could simplify the and charge significantly less;

or

4)  assist in ending a marriage when they could save that marriage.
 

Until we as Rhode Island divorce lawyers refocus our energies on the people we serve in such a way that we end conflict peacefully, amicably, and quickly using both legal skills and personal relationship skills, we will never be able to resolve a divorce and preserve a family as quickly, affordably, simply, and as stress free as two spouses who can still communicate with one another.

Yes, amicable, simple, affordable Rhode Island divorces are possible if two people can still talk to one another reasonably in an adult manner, with the help from a Rhode Island Divorce Coach who can economically help them through the process without representing either one of them in court.

It's not only possible, it happens all the time through my office.  All it takes to get started is that first call.  So what are you waiting for?

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by 

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2007 to Present.  Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
 Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

* The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all attorneys in the general practice of law.  The court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any particular field of practice.

- - Recommended Websites - -

Pearsall.net | AttorneyPearsall.com | Rhode Island Divorce Tips | ChristopherPearsall.com | GuaranteedWealth.com | Rhode Island Divorce Attorney | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer | ChrisPearsall.com | LegalScholar.com | Pearsall-Law-Associates.com | Rhode Island Divorce Attorneys | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers | Rhode Island Divorce Coach  |  RI Divorce Coach | RI Divorce Lawyer on Twitter | Rhode Island Divorce Coach on Twitter | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer on Facebook.com| Attorney Chris Pearsall at LawGuru.com | Rhode Island Family Law Lawyer - RI Consumer Tips |  Rhode island Divorce Help

A Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer Thrilled his Divorce Coaching Practice is On the Rise!

As a Rhode Island lawyer I am thrilled that my divorce coaching program is on the rise even as other areas of practice for colleagues are struggling.

I was floored when I was actually asked recently, "What do you get out of this Rhode Island Divorce Coaching program? You certainly can't be making a mint from $135 sessions for an hour here and there each week. What's the catch?"

In a nutshell I'll let my readers know what I let this client know. I get to help people affordably in a difficult economy. I get to sleep restfully each night knowing I'm doing a good thing for people. Ultimately I still get to use what I've learned over the years. Lastly, but certainly not the least, I get to work for myself and spend more quality time with my wife.

The client was a bit stunned. Perhaps my readers would be too. A lawyer who doesn't bring in big bucks, who doesn't charge big bucks, who doesn't work 80 hours a week and who just wants to be able to live life without all the stress and aggravation that many lawyers put themselves through all for the sake of having more and more "things." Financially it gets a little tough sometimes with the rising cost of everything, but we're all dealing with that these days.

I suppose in a sense, I'm genuine. I know what it's like to do a hard days work, to have been through a first marriage that didn't work out, to see family law in action, to see families of all kinds and how they work and how they don't. I'm practical and I can relate to my clients. I have a big heart and though I can't give away my services for free, I've done the best I can to help others. In the end, I know I've done my best for people and based on what is truly important in life.

I hope other people find the path I have found some day and that colleagues pick up on it without overcharging. Rhode Island Divorce Coaching is something that I've received rants and raves from my clients confidentially about it and I know I've helped the judges with their calendars and the resolution of cases in the process.

I'm making a difference. I can see it. I can feel it. I hear about it from those who benefit from it and I am happy that the program I created works. I plan on making it better and as affordable as possible.

For now, it's still a great new program and it's evolving every day. For those who have given it a chance, they know what it does and can do.

I welcome everyone to have an initial meeting with me for 1 hour at only $135 for the hour. You won't be disappointed. So pick up your phone and dial (401) 632-6976 to make your appointment or to understand how I do what I do and why. I'll be more than happy to take a minute or two to discuss it with you, including how I do what I do and why.

Have a Fantastic Evening!

Christopher A. Pearsall, The Rhode Island Divorce Coach
Owner of the Rhode Island Divorce Coaching Institute

http://www.RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

http://www.ChristopherPearsall.com

http://www.Rhode-Island-Divorce-Lawyer.com

Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching is Catching On!

Do you need an experienced Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Lawyer?

Or,

Do you just need the help of an experienced Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Lawyer?

Until about one year ago, the second option didn't exist as a legal service here in Rhode Island to my knowledge.

In March of 2009, I started the Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching Practice.  

Are you a person you just wants to some legal help with your Rhode Island divorce or family law matter? 

Are having a hard time finding a Rhode Island lawyer to help you with the forms and understanding the family law process specifically as it relates to your family law matter? 

It's not surprising!  This is and has been typical for decades.

* * * 3 Reasons Other Attorneys Don't Offer Divorce and Family Law Coaching! * * *

 Why?  Three reasons!  It's impractical, it creates liability, and it's not profitable.

 First, it's impracticable.   This coaching approach involves piecemeal work for clients for as much or as little coaching as they want. A coaching approach requires a constant shift in the attorney's focus. This requires additional time, additional file creation,  and additional expense for upkeep and storage.  This means that without extensive planning the coaching approach requires greater focus and greater expense to the attorney.

 Second, it creates greater legal exposure and greater liability resulting from more clients who may misunderstand or misapply legal items discussed by the lawyer with the client, more issues, and perhaps less information to work with when providing the legal coaching if the attorney is not specifically prepared for addressing the continuous shift in clients and their legal coaching needs which might well triple the client load as compared to the typical lawyer's client load.

 Third, Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching is designed to save the client money over typical representation.  Coaching is meant to be an expense saving service to the client.  The client uses the attorney's services on an "as needed" or "as desired" basis.  The client uses the attorney's coaching services as much or as little as the client desires.  As a result of these things, there is no specific cash flow resulting from any specific client because it is at the discretion of the client.  

 In the end, the Rhode Island Family Law Coaches income results from the number of appointments scheduled to give actual direct coaching and legal advice to the client rather than a single client that the attorney can bill a certain number of hours of work too.  Since it does not provide a constant income stream for the attorney, it is not profitable without building a strong coaching practice at rates well below the hourly  rates charged by experienced Rhode Island family law attorneys for representation of the client from beginning to end.

 Why should you care?

Let me give you an example.

Imagine that you are a spouse and you come into my office seeking representation in court because it is the traditional method of hiring an attorney.  You tell me you own a home, have two children and a have three retirement accounts, and that you and your wife are very amicable about things.  

Even if I may be sympathetic and understanding to your situation and want to give you the best price possible, I must consider everything.  My analysis would be roughly as follows without extra issues and circumstances.

 The average uncontested divorce requires about 13 hours of an attorney's time.  An Rhode Island Divorce attorney with ten (10) years of divorce experience receives about an average of $200 per hour for his or her services.  Total costs for the attorney's services to prepare all the documents, discuss the issues with the client, attend court hearings, and draft and file the temporary and final order would result in an Attorney's fee of $2,600 plus costs with the $2,600 as an upfront retainer.

The client is likely to breathe a heavy sigh even though this is a very reasonable quote for an experienced family law attorney to protect your interests in a court proceeding in an uncontested divorce matter with the issues mentioned properly presented to the court.

Now you are the client, would you be overwhelmed to shell out $2,600 upfront to an attorney?

 Shouldn't there be an alternative to this!  Is there an alternative?  

 Now there is!  Meet Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching offered by Attorney Christopher Pearsall at The Rhode Island Divorce & Coaching Institute!

 My practice method is so streamlined and its principles are elevated to a level that eliminates the three (3) major issues that prevent today's Rhode Island Attorneys from diverging from the traditional model.

 Now let us look at the same model.  I'm a Rhode Island Divorce attorney with ten (10) years of experience focused exclusively in the area of Rhode Island divorce and family law.  

 This time we forget the $200 per hour or more for my services.  Why?  Because you opt to enter my Rhode Island Divorce & Family Law Coaching program.  Now things change considerably.  Initially, you sit with me for an hour as I evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, review the necessary documents that are required or address your questions; essentially you and I will discuss and address anything and everything relating to your case that are most important to your issues and your case because this is your life and that is what is important!  

 What is the cost of that initial one hour coaching session?  

 Despite the $200+ market value per hour of the services, the cost is only $135 for that hour.

 Best of all, it's not your typical "Free Consultation" from the newspapers or Yellow Page ads.  If you don't know what the typical "Free Consultation' is, let me explain it to you.

 The "Free Consultation" used by so many Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Lawyers in print advertising uses the word "FREE" merely as the hook to suck you in the door.  

 It is a hook to make you think you are getting something of value with a professional lawyer for... FREE.  Enticing isn't it?  No, not if you understand that you're not getting anything at all for FREE!  In fact, you're losing time in your life that you will never get back only to hear the other shoe drop as the attorney tells you how much you should write the check out for in order to gain his or her services.

 What does this "Free Consultation" actually give you?  It is usually something like this. The attorney will listen to what you have to say for a few minutes, perhaps even a half hour if you are lucky enough to get that far.  Then the lawyer will tell you that there are numerous issues that need to be addressed in your case.  He or she will probably mention to you some legalese that you may not be familiar with and let you know that your case is more serious than you think and that's why you need a lawyer because it is too easy to be taken advantage of or to forget something that could cause a serious issue in the future and the sooner you hire a good lawyer to help you the better off you will be.  The lawyer will interject things during the discussion that are intended to convince you that he or she is the right lawyer for you.  Lastly the lawyer will typically tell you the cost to get started and he or she can immediately get to work to protect your interests.  You are given a clear sense of urgency here as it is clear you should be getting out your checkbook to cut the attorney a check.

Does anything sound fishy to you here?   If not, it should.  You should always take time to think about it and never be pressured into any decision.  Does the lawyer seem to want to lock you in quickly before another attorney gets you as a client?

That's a warning sign.

 Ultimately, if you think about your whole "Free Consultation", go over in your head or in your notes (if you took them) what the Rhode Island Family lawyer told you that tells you really what your rights are.  Can you use anything that the lawyer told you to get anything done even if you don't return to that lawyer?  If not, what did you get for your "Free Consultation" . . . you got a sales pitch and you spent time in your life that you will never get back.

My personal views are no secret.  I am not in favor of the "Free Consultation."  I would rather give a Coaching/Advice Session with advice for the client that is specific to your situation, be paid less than the value of my services to help a person in need and make sure the person knows I have no other expectations other than to spend an hour with them and be paid $135 for the hour of my time. 

If the client wants to go further, the client can ask.  No need to wait for any other shoe to drop at all.  If you don't ask, then I know you're not interested and I have had the pleasure of serving you and you can call upon me for coaching services whenever you like and we'll set up another appointment at an hour for $135.  

 As a client, you can use me for coaching and legal advice as much or as little as you want as long as you understand and agree that I have a 1 hour minimum appointment time and it costs $135 for my time and $33.75 for each portion of a quarter hour that we go over that time with your authority.  Each time, it is not "FREE" but you leave with highly valuable information that you can rely upon.

 In the scenario we used before, if you were the client, you could come to me for an initial coaching session to learn the divorce process and your rights.  You could then come for a 2nd coaching session to address the initial paperwork for filing and how service of process works.  If you desire you could have a third session to help with a Marital Settlement Agreement with your spouse if you wanted that assistance. Your fourth session could be coaching to prepare for your Nominal Hearing.  Lastly the 5th Session would address the drafting of your temporary order (Decision Pending the Final Judgment of Divorce) and your Final Judgment of Divorce and how each of these documents are properly entered with the Family Court.  In total, that is not $2,600 in one lump sum.  It is merely 5 sessions in increments over a 5 1/2 month period of $135 each.  This would be a totaled as $135 x 5 = $675.00.  

 Using this new Coaching Program you saved a whopping $1,925!

 The fact is... this service is saving people thousands of dollars.  I have estimated that in its very first year of operation I have saved my coaching clients in excess of $134,000 in legal fees and helped to process more amicable divorces using this method than in all the other past 10 years combined.  That is no small feat!  In fact, it is a tremendous track record that speaks for itself!

So what is the major change and what is in it for me?

 That is simplicity itself!  Rather than serve fewer clients and make more money from you  as a client, I choose to serve many more clients and make much less money.

This practice method works for me as a Rhode Island Lawyer focusing my practice on divorce and family law.  I don't expect it to work for all attorneys because there is a large trade-off.  

 What is that trade off?  Income.

 I don't need a BMW.  I don't need a summer home.  I don't need three vacations per year in Greece.  I don't need nor do I want to rape the public and buy a mansion.  It comes down simply to what I want.

 I'm here to serve you with what I know.  I can't do it for free because we all have to live.  I want a reasonable wage for my professional skills.  I want as much time with my wife as possible.  I want time for myself and to work around my house.  I want time with family and with friends.

 If you are an attorney and you want to be wealthy....a coaching practice won't work for you.  If you want to help people and you just want to make a living, then I invite other Rhode Island attorneys to contact me and I'll  be happy to train you to set up a coaching practice.  Perhaps together we can restore the people's faith in attorneys, courts and our legal system as a whole.

 In my next article, I'll let my coaching clients express to you for themselves what they have thought of the program and you can decide for yourselves whether it might be something for you.

 If you have questions about the program or want to set up your affordable initial divorce or family law coaching session, I invite you to call me at (401) 632-6976.

 Authored by:  

Attorney Christopher A. Pearsall, Rhode Island Divorce* and Family Law* Attorney and Coach

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