Pennsylvania Divorce Lawyer & Attorney : PA Family Law Blog : Fox Rothschild Law Firm : Family Law Serving Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County

Like most litigants, the end result and the cost of legal representation are among the most important concerns of anyone involved in a family law dispute. With these concerns in mind, clients frequently ask me if there is anything they can or should be doing to reduce the time I need to spend on their case or to help move things forward. The answer is a resounding “Yes!”  Here are 14 tips on how to be a good family law client and, at the same time, help your attorney achieve the best possible result without incurring excessive cost:

1. In advance of the first meeting with your attorney, assemble as much relevant documentation as possible. For instance, in a typical divorce case, this would include (at a minimum) complete copies of recent tax returns, pay stubs for both you and your spouse, a detailed list of all assets and liabilities, and any legal paperwork already filed and/or served upon you.
2. Speaking of documentation, organize every piece of paper that you give to your attorney.  Documents should be stapled, labeled and assembled in an orderly fashion.  Keep in mind that your attorney and his/her staff will do whatever is necessary to organize the documentation that you provide to him/her if you don't do so. It will, however, take time and cost money.
3. Keep a detailed diary of all significant events pertaining to your case and make sure to share copies with your attorney. A "Week-at-a-Glance" calendar often serves this purpose well.  This may be especially important in a custody case.  Your memory may fade with time, but a well-kept diary can be used to refresh your recollection prior to and/or during a hearing.  Additionally, your attorney can use your diary to assist in preparing your testimony in advance of a hearing.
4. A picture is worth a thousand words.  Besides documenting things in your diary, document what you can with photographs and/or videos.  For instance, if you decide to move out of the marital residence, take photographs of the condition of the residence and all property that you left behind.
5. Ask questions.  There is no such thing as a stupid question.  More often than not, questions from clients are highly relevant and serve as a basis for helping to frame out the issues and develop strategies.
6. If you need to discuss non-legal issues with someone, you may not want to call your attorney.   His/her hourly rate is probably much higher than a therapist's, and the therapist probably is better equipped to handle the issue.  While your attorney may be a very good listener, it will be to your economic and emotional advantage to discuss non-legal issues with your therapist, family members, friends, priest, rabbi, pastor, etc. 
7. Do your best to pay your attorney’s bills on a timely basis.  If you cannot pay a bill within a reasonable amount of time, call your attorney and ask to work out some payment arrangements.  If you are making a genuine effort, most attorneys will be understanding and work with you.
8. Promptly respond to calls and inquiries from your attorney. If it was not important, your  attorney would not be contacting you. Furthermore, if you are not being responsive to your attorney, he/she will have no choice but to spend his/her time and your money trying to get a response. 
9. When you leave a message for your attorney (either on voicemail or through a secretary) leave your phone number and the time when you will be available to speak. While your attorney likely has your number, it will take less time for your attorney to call you back if he/she does not have to find your number. This is especially true if your attorney is not in his/her office. 
10. If you have left messages for your attorney and have not received a response in a reasonable period of time, realize that there is probably a good reason why he/she has not returned your call (i.e., tied up in court or meetings, or handling an emergency situation). If the reason for your call is of an urgent nature, do not hesitate to explain the situation to your attorney’s secretary and/or ask if you can speak with another attorney in the firm. If your call is not urgent, ask your attorney’s secretary when she expects the attorney to be available so that you can call again or ask if an appointment can be placed in the attorney’s calendar for a phone conference. 
11. Do not believe everything that you hear from your spouse, family and friends as it pertains to your case and the law. Even though your spouse may act like he/she is trying to be accommodating, the reality is that he/she is likely out to get the best possible result for himself/herself. Similarly, realize that every case is different. Just because your friend’s cousin got a particular result does not mean that you will get a similar result. 
12. Do not sign or agree to anything without first speaking with your attorney. Attorneys are usually in favor of parties speaking and trying to reach amicable resolutions between themselves. An attorney, however, can and will help you determine if the terms discussed are in your best interest. There is nothing wrong with telling the opposing party that you need some time to think about it and will get back to them after speaking with your attorney. If the opposing party is pushing you to sign something on the spot, be suspect. 
13. Be discreet and resist the urge to deliberately annoy or antagonize your spouse. If you do or say something that you know will annoy your spouse, be prepared for appropriate retaliation. Also be prepared to pay your attorney who will, no doubt, get a call from the opposing counsel when your spouse calls to complain about your behavior. 
14. Last, but not least, be candid and truthful with your attorney. Attorneys do not like surprises. If your Attorney is well-informed, he/she can be fully prepared to deal with potentially damaging information if and when it is raised by the other side.
    

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The following is my "Top 7" list of "family law misconceptions" that I frequently hear from new or prospective clients.  The list is by no means exhaustive and assumes that there is no pre or post-nuptial agreement in place which might already address the issue.  Likewise, as other states have different laws and procedures, this list is limited to Pennsylvania.

1. “There is no alimony in Pennsylvania”.  I am constantly amazed at how many new clients believe that alimony does not exist in Pennsylvania.  Let me set the record straight: alimony is alive and kicking in Pennsylvania.  Section 3701(a) of the Pennsylvania Divorce Code provides that “[w]here a divorce decree has been entered, the court may allow alimony, as it deems reasonable, to either party only if it finds that alimony is necessary.”
2. “If my spouse committed adultery, I will not be obligated to pay him/her alimony”.  Of the clients who are aware of the existence of alimony in Pennsylvania, many believe that adultery is a bar to a claim for alimony.  Marital misconduct occurring during marriage is only one of 17 factors under §3701(b) of the Divorce Code to be considered in determining whether alimony is necessary and in determining the nature, amount, duration and manner of payment of alimony.  It is not a bar, just a factor.
3. “It only takes 90 days to get a divorce”.  Under even the best possible circumstances, it will take more than 90 days from the date of filing a divorce complaint until the entry of the decree.  I usually tell people that the best case scenario is 4½ to 5 months, assuming that both parties fully cooperate, there is a signed agreement disposing of all economic issues, the court is not backed up,  and, most importantly, the stars are in perfect alignment.  The worst case scenario could be several years or more depending upon the circumstances.
4. “My spouse is not entitled to any of my pension”.  Many clients believe that his/her spouse is not entitled to any portion of their pension since they worked for it.  To the contrary, if the pension was acquired or increased in value during the marriage, then it is marital property (in full or in part) and the other spouse has a claim to it.
5. “My spouse is not entitled to any asset that is titled solely in my name”.  How an asset is titled has very little to do with whether or not it is subject to division and/or distribution in a divorce.  The general rule is that if an asset is acquired or increases in value during marriage, then it is marital property (in full or in part) and the other spouse has a claim to it.
6. “The marital property gets split 50/50”.  While marital property is often divided between the parties on a 50/50 (equal) basis, the circumstances may warrant a disproportionate division.  Pennsylvania law requires that the marital property be divided in an equitable fashion based upon a consideration of 11 factors set forth in §3502 of the Divorce Code.  "Equitable” means fair, not equal.  Therefore, if the equities weigh in favor of one spouse, he or she will likely receive more than 50% of the marital property.
7. “If I quit my job, I will not have to pay support”.  This is one of the more popular misconceptions.  Support obligations (i.e. support for a child or spouse) are determined based upon actual income or earning capacity.  If someone quits his or her job without an extremely good reason, their support obligation will be determined or will continue based on their established earning capacity.  A frequent response that I hear when I tell people this is, “then they can just put me in jail.”  That, however, it not a misconception for someone who deliberately takes action to avoid their support obligations.  It may take some time, but under the right conditions, jail may be a reality.
   

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