in what situations is my wifes divorce attorney a conflict for me

by Elvera Weimann 7 min read

A ‘conflict’ covers situations where it is inappropriate for a solicitor to advise a client because of previous or ongoing work with another person involved in the same case. The most obvious conflict of interest in the divorce setting would be when one lawyer agreed to represent both parties.

Full Answer

Can a lawyer have a conflict of interest in a divorce?

I don’t know how your wife’s lawyer can represent her if he has represented you in the past, especially in the family law setting. You may want to check with your state’s bar association and your civil rules to see if her attorney has a conflict of interest and needs to be removed from the case. I would suggest that you need to find an attorney who is licensed in Indiana to discuss …

Why can’t my divorce lawyer represent me?

Feb 09, 2022 ·

Can a lawyer withdraw from a case to avoid a conflict?

Can a lawyer represent a client with adverse interests in family law?

When going through a divorce or separation you may have decided that you want a particular divorce lawyer to act on your behalf. There are however, some reasons why a divorce lawyer may not be able to represent you. This comes down to the concept of ‘conflict’. A ‘conflict’ covers situations where it is inappropriate for a solicitor to advise a client because of previous or …

What is conflict of interest in divorce lawyer?

Conflict of Interest in Divorce An attorney owes his or her client independent judgment. If the lawyer represents two parties whose interests run counter to each other, he or she cannot have truly independent judgment with respect to either of them.Dec 16, 2020

What does it mean when an attorney is conflicted out?

By “conflicting out” certain attorneys, your husband can make it difficult for you to hire the lawyer that's best for you. ... All he needs to do during those meeting is share enough information to create an attorney-client relationship. Once he does, that particular attorney will be prohibited from representing you.Apr 17, 2012

What does conflicted out mean?

Conflicting Out Attorneys: When Your Spouse Cuts Off Your Access to Top Attorneys. ... For most people, that simply means asking around, getting referrals, taking a few meetings, and then hiring the attorney with whom they have the most confidence.Aug 24, 2020

Can lawyers talk about cases with their spouses?

The duty of confidentiality prevents lawyers from even informally discussing information related to their clients' cases with others. They must keep private almost all information related to representation of the client, even if that information didn't come from the client.

How do you play dirty in a divorce?

Dirty Divorce TricksLeave Him With Nothing. A female client is contemplating leaving the marital home. ... Cancel the Credit Cards. ... Get Him Fired. ... Cutting Off the Utilities. ... Tell the Paramour's Spouse. ... Move out of State with the Kids. ... Clean out the Bank Accounts. ... File an Accusation of Child Abuse.More items...

What should you not say to an attorney?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.Jan 15, 2010

Can my lawyer scream at me?

If your attorney yells and screams at you, you can look for another attorney, but consider that you have to share your burden of communication with your new attorney. You may find yourself in the same situation with a new attorney if you don't meet your burden. No. It's unprofessional.

What is a former client?

The definition of “former client” is broad and includes persons who had only a one-time consultation. A lawyer-client relationship is created when: 1 A person seeks advice or assistance from a lawyer, 2 The advice or assistance sought pertains to matters within the lawyer’s professional competence; and 3 The lawyer expressly or impliedly agrees to give or actually gives the desired advice or assistance.

What is the New Hampshire Ethics Committee test?

The New Hampshire Ethics Committee has said, “This test provides that the former client need only show that matters embraced in the pending suit in which his former attorney is representing his adversary are substantially related to the previous cause of action. The Court will then assume that confidences pertaining to the matter were revealed during the course of the former representation without inquiring into the nature and extent of such revelations.” Advisory Opinion #1990-91/1.

Can a lawyer represent one spouse in divorce?

Rule 1.9 prohibits representing one spouse in a divorce if the lawyer had previously represented the other spouse or the parties jointly in a “substantially-related matter,” absent consent. Careful scrutiny is needed if the prior representation involved a family law matter, whether or not it involved the current spouse. It is likely that the potential to utilize information obtained during the prior matter will arise and place the lawyer in a position in which his or her obligation to protect a former client’s confidences conflicts with the obligation to represent the current client. In family law matters, the option of obtaining consent from the prior client raises both ethical and practical questions.

What is Rule 1.9?

The Rule 1.9 restriction on a lawyer who has represented a client from representing another with adverse interests in a substantially related matter has special relevance in family law, where questions arise about situations such as: drafting wills for a couple and later, one of them seeking representation in a divorce.

What is the rule for revealing confidential information?

The rule also prohibits the attorney from using any information gained in a former representation against the former client, unless the information has become “generally known ,” and from revealing confidential information. Rule1.9, N.H. Rules of Professional Conduct, as amended effective June 1, 1999.

What is a lawyer-client relationship?

A lawyer-client relationship is created when: A person seeks advice or assistance from a lawyer, The advice or assistance sought pertains to matters within the lawyer’s professional competence; and. The lawyer expressly or impliedly agrees to give or actually gives the desired advice or assistance. State v.