8 Tips for Men for Family Law Court

Family Law Tip # 2 (for Men)
Family Courts Can Seem Biased Against Men

Love’em and leave’em has been a male-dominated act since the original one-celled animals began to evolve into sexual beings. Modern human society in all races and in all parts of the world is filled with examples of male humans following the familiar role of loving and leaving. Everybody knows this – including Family Court Judges, many of whom are women and some who are divorced. So even though laws are written unbiased, interpreting them and applying them can seem biased. As if it weren’t bad enough that some men can give all men a bad reputation, some good men often “shoot themselves in the foot” by giving up their rights. Their faulty presumption that they should or can trust their “ex” to be fair is wrong more often than not. Lack of proper action leads to poor results in both money and child matters. 

Many times it takes great effort and much courtroom debate at hearings to ensure men are treated fairly in child custody, visitation, and support cases. Marilyn and her staff enjoy these challenges and feel especially good after helping fathers and children restore relationships. They know that fathers are extremely important to child development and recognize that fathers can be very creative and effective in sharing indoor and outdoor experiences with their children. Most people will agree that generally, children are better off with both parents. In the modern era of a high percentage of split marriages and complicated post relationships, it is still important that each child continues to enjoy a relationship with his or her father. It is very rewarding to Marilyn and her staff when their efforts and ability can create a better circumstance for children by helping their fathers.

The presumption of society can often be that mothers are fit and entitled to custody of the children and that fathers care less than mothers do about their children. Convincing the court otherwise is a daunting task. A man’s imputed income and ability to pay can also be too casually decided.

So what can a man do?  Do everything right as possible to help, not hinder your case and hire Marilyn’s Law Office before your wife does. Then follow your attorney’s good advice.

Family Law Tip # 3 (for Men)
                            Keep Demands Reasonable and Fair, and                              Try to Negotiate Before Any Hearing or Trial

Who are the best people to decide how to divide your estate and share your children? Would it be you and the mother of your children or a perfect stranger who doesn’t know either of you and will never meet your children?

Couple this obvious answer with the reality that people who negotiate and agree on their settlements are substantially more likely to follow them than those imposed on them by the court and therefore it is obvious why we not only encourage settlement but we do everything we can to facilitate and procure a successful one. You can help too! Please do not alienate your ex: keep your demands reasonable; be flexible and accommodating; express distress or upset factually and without accusation or insult when necessary; communicate frequently and positively about your children; share information and documentation about assets, debts, and income; be respectful and compassionate; don’t engage with your ex when she inflames the situation or attacks.

Family courts have limited time, very congested calendars, and deal with angry, hurt, upset people all day every day. Accordingly, the best thing you can do for your case is to resolve as much or all of it as you can with your counsel before you have a hearing. That way you can use the limited time you have to get help on the big issues that cannot otherwise be resolved. Some issues like the division of animals and personal property can be particularly tedious and/or difficult for the court so these should be only brought to the court as a last resort. Remember to always consider the cost of the item in dispute as compared to the cost of the fight over the item, i.e. attorneys fees!

You know your ex better than almost anyone. Try to appreciate and honestly evaluate what motivates her and what scares her. So many women appear greedy in divorce when in fact so many are more likely scared of being on their own financially after so many secure financial years. Validate your ex’s emotions – truly and sincerely. People are far less defensive and vindictive when they feel validated and heard. Even if you couldn’t or wouldn’t do it in your marriage, it is never too late to start and during a divorce is a really great time to practice new and more productive communication habits; especially when you have children together!

Be flexible and accommodating: you have to give to get. If you accommodate a request that is significant to her, then ask for an exchange of something that is significant to you. This is effective with property as well as time and child-related matters. In order to garner goodwill, however, you may have to be flexible and compromising multiple times before this practice becomes routine for both of you. Don’t expect results immediately, especially if this practice was not in play during your marriage.

Finally, during negotiations, after you make an offer, do not bid against yourself. Wait for her to respond. All too often the first one to speak loses. You may have to be silent for days and up to weeks waiting, but do not undermine your position by giving in before you receive a response.

Family Law Tip # 4 (for Men)
Pick Your Lawyer Carefully

In legal battles and in getting through legal minefields, the attorney or law office you select may be the single most important decision you make. You can’t change history, the law, pick the judge, or force courtroom decisions but your attorney can give you good advice as to what to expect and what may be worth pursuing or not. She can also present your case in the best way and debate important issues to get the best results. As in most selection processes, its good to go with referrals, from instincts and what feels right. If you are not impressed after interviewing or getting an initial consultation from a family law attorney, repeat your efforts with one or more others until you are comfortable. Hire a Certified Family Law Specialist (Marilyn York), not a Malcreant Attorney.

Many lawyers who do family law do it as a fill-in to keep from starving and may not even like doing it. Obviously you would be much better off with a lawyer who chooses to do family law exclusively because she likes it. Such exclusive family law attorneys (Marilyn York) would naturally be more up to date and experienced in family law matters. If your child needed tonsils removed, wouldn’t you select a surgeon that does several such operations a week, not several a year?

One effective referral method for anything you need when you don’t know anyone personally is as follows: go to the internet and find someone in the same industry that does not do the exact work you need and ask them for a referral. For example, if you need a dentist, call the offices of oral surgeons and ask for a referral. When you need a family attorney, call two or three law offices that do not advertise family law and ask them for a referral. Chances are good that Marilyn’s name will come up or ask them what they know about Marilyn.

Family Law Tip # 5 (for Men)
Social Media Confessions and Attacks

Although it may be therapeutic to publish your thoughts and feelings using social media or tell your friends and family, it can also be very detrimental to your case. Such secrets last a short time and will likely make it back to your “ex” and be used against you. Do yourself and your attorney a favor by not sharing. The attorney-client privilege only exists with your attorney.

Family Law Tip # 6 (for Men)
Don’ts

Don’t lie to your attorney or in court. Don’t try to fake a drug test. Don’t try to hide marital assets. Any such misbehavior will cause the court to suspect everything you say and tend to believe everything bad your “ex” says about you. Don’t underestimate your “ex” or opposing attorney. Fight fair with facts and a good attorney whose rapport with the court can work in your favor.

Family Law Tip # 7 (for Men)
Divorce Court is Not a Contest

Family law cases are not contests for courts to pick a winner; in fact, rarely is there a winner-take-all. The goal of Marilyn’s Law Office in each case is to help the client get fair treatment through negotiations if possible and by court decisions if not. 

It is important to understand that when a family law conflict includes children, “the best interest of the children” guides virtually all courtroom decisions and also guides Marilyn and her attorneys throughout such cases. 

If your case involves children and your strongest concern is for them, you are a good parent and upon hiring Marilyn’s Law Office you will have very powerful representation. Don’t hire a Malcreant Attorney who would likely enjoy escalating the conflict into a grand contest for his own benefit and who may not care about the children.

Family Law Tip # 8 (for Men)
Pay Your Legal Fees by Credit Card

In a divorce case, it can be wise to pay your legal fees by credit card and let them ride until the court gets involved. That credit card debt is more likely to be shared than if you pay your legal fees with borrowed money.