Sandy assists people in the divorce process achieve successful, equitable financial settlements. For many negotiation, collaboration or mediation may be the preferred process. For others, the ability to effecitvely communicate with one another has been impacted by the hurts each feels has been done to them by their soon to be ex-partner. The end of marriage can be difficult enough. Often how it ends only adds to the pain. Former partners often see each other as adversaries, and divorces as a battleground. Most feel confusion, anger and loss. Some need to hire an attorney to be their voice in the divorce process.
Sandy provides professional and supportive assistance to clients and their attorneys regarding the financial aspects of a divorce – from tax consequences, to pension/retirement divisions, to COBRAs and health care options, and more – and if necessary, provide some education regarding their personal finances. His counseling background also helps you effectively deal with the anxieties and fears surrounding the settlement process.
Litigated Divorce - What is it?
When you are not able to reach an agreement on parenting, or support or property division, you might want to hire an attorney to advocate on your behalf. Your attorney will work with you to determine your needs and what might be best for you in this process. They could negotiate on your behalf, but if they can't reach an acceptable agreement, you may need to go to court to let each side make their best case, and then let the commission (judge) make the final decision.
Your attorney can bring in specialists, such as financial, parenting, coaches, vocational, mortgage, etc. as they need to help get the best information to present in court.
If you are expecting to "have your day in court" or be able to tell the judget your side, it rarely happens. Almost everything is handled by your attorney. Before you go to trial your attorney "deposes" (interviews) your ex. Your ex's attorney deposes you. Attorneys for each of you are at both depositions. This gets the necessary information that will be needed to present in court. When it is time to go to court, each lawyer (yours and your soon to be ex's) will make their best case to the commissioner. Your attorneys may each hire "expert witnesses" (such as a financial specialist, or parenting specialist) to help the commissioner get facts that your attorney believes will help the commissioner support your perspective. It may take two days of trial before the commissioner makes a decision. The decision is final - there is no appeal.
Also remember that only a very small percentage of divorce cases wind up in court. Commonly about 5% go to trial. The overwhelming amount of divorces "settle", meaning that the clients and attorneys decide that it is better to come to a resolution that they can live with rather than possibly risk having the commissioner make a decision that you might not like.