wifes divorce attorney wont deal with the real issues of the case, what are my options

by Prof. Arno Rosenbaum 5 min read

When your wife won’t cooperate, you may think the best option is to hire a lawyer for litigation. However, before you reach this point, you can also try another option to get the ball rolling. Then, you can bring in a lawyer as needed.

Full Answer

Why doesn’t my Ex have a divorce lawyer?

Aug 04, 2016 · Your spouse may take things more seriously if a judge is involved. If you’re dealing with a spouse trying to delay your divorce, you need to stand firm and continue to push forward. Questions for Your Attorney. My spouse has always had health problems and claims he can’t deal with the divorce right now because of medical issues.

Should I retain a lawyer for my divorce?

Mar 26, 2018 · That could be good news or bad news. If you’re seeking a divorce in the Manassas, Virginia area, and your spouse can’t or won’t get an attorney that could be a problem or an opportunity. Like divorces in general a lot of it depends if this will be an amicable divorce or your spouse wants to make this as difficult as possible.

Why does my wife not want a divorce?

May 18, 2011 · You can file a grievance complaint with the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel by calling (303) 866-6400, or toll free 1-877-888-1370. You should have the attorney's name, attorney registration number and address & phone number and …

Can a divorce lawyer talk about my case in public?

Jun 25, 2018 · 1. Make it Clear that Divorce is Unavoidable. Your wife might fight against the idea of divorce because she doesn’t think you really mean it. If your conversation has a “Should I divorce my wife?” feel to it, she will think that she can offer a different answer to the question. Be firm and clear in your desire for a divorce.

What is reasonable response time for a lawyer?

within 24-48 hoursA: The lawyer should be responsive to your questions within 24-48 hours after you left a message. If the lawyer is not responsive, perhaps he or she is on vacation and unable to return.Dec 28, 2019

When a divorce settlement is unfair?

However, if you received a truly unfair or unjust divorce settlement, you may be able to ask a court to reopen your case and take a second look at how the deal was made and whether or not it's unjust. You should know that you will have a very heavy burden in terms of getting a divorce settlement turned over.

What can you do if your lawyer is not responsive?

If you have called your attorney, left messages, sent emails, and you still haven't heard a response, the best course of action is to send a certified letter to his or her office questioning the failure to communicate and informing them that you are prepared to find a new lawyer if the situation does not improve.Mar 29, 2021

What types of issues do divorced spouses need to resolve?

The method that a couple chooses is typically influenced by how well they can reach agreement in the dissolution of their marriage. Alimony, child support, custody, co-parenting and community property are the main issues that need to be negotiated and resolved.May 10, 2020

Can a dismissed divorce case be reopened?

*) hence You can attempt to have the case reopened through filing a motion to reopen. However, the decision to reopen is up to the judge, and one major thing the judge will consider is the length of time the case has been dismissed.

Can divorce case be reopened?

Keeping in mind the Ex-parte decree of divorce passed by the Family Court in January 2013 and no appeal filed against the same, you can go for remarriage.

What does it mean when your lawyer doesn't call you back?

This is how the practice of law is supposed to work. So often when a lawyer does not return your call for a few days it may simply mean your lawyer is busy getting some important work done in your case or in another client's case. There is nothing going on with your case.May 9, 2018

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

What is litigated divorce?

A divorce is "litigated" (or "contested") when the spouses can't agree on how to resolve the issues—like child support, spousal support, or how to divide property—and one of them files a divorce complaint with the court.

What happens after 60 days of filing for divorce?

A court cannot grant a divorce until 60 days after the suit for divorce was filed and until 20 days after the respondent was properly served. This means a court may grant a divorce on day 61 after a divorce is filed but in reality that rarely happens.

Which is better fault or no fault divorce?

No-fault divorce is less expensive and less time-consuming than a fault-based divorce because the spouses don't need to prove marital misconduct for the court to grant the divorce. Check out Divorce in Your State to find out more about the grounds for divorce where you live.

What happens if your spouse is a mess?

If you’re dealing with a spouse whose life is a mess, he or she is being irrational, uncooperative, angry and spiteful you and your attorney will just have to plow through the legal process. Filings will be made, there may be court appearances, and there may be hearings.

Can an attorney represent my spouse?

Your attorney can’t represent your spouse too , any cannot give your spouse any legal advice. If the situation has reached the point where communication and cooperation have broken down, your spouse has managed to file what needs to be filed and has met deadlines, the lack of an attorney could be a disadvantage.

Can a spouse file for divorce if they miss deadlines?

In a contested case, with technical issues like what needs to be filed and when, it may help you if your spouse misses deadlines and doesn’t make proper filings. If you and your spouse want an amicable, non-confrontational divorce his or her lack of an attorney may not be a problem.

How to get divorce in Minnesota?

In order to obtain a divorce in Minnesota, certain papers needs to be filled out and filed. It is hard to tell from your e-mail if the correct papers were signed by you and your husband. It is possible that the paperwork was filed with the Court, and the Court just hasn't had a chance to review the materials. One thing you can do is hire a new attorney to handle your divorce. The new attorney might have an easier time getting the file from your old attorney, though they might not. The other option you have is to contact the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board, if your attorney has not had contact with you for several months. http://lprb.mncourts.gov/Pages/Default.aspx.

How to file a grievance against an attorney?

You can file a grievance complaint with the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel by calling (303) 866-6400, or toll free 1-877-888-1370. You should have the attorney's name, attorney registration number and address & phone number and the court case number available when you call. Be prepared to provide a concise, but detailed summary of the history of your relationship with the attorney to the intake person.

How long does it take to get divorced in California?

First of all, California law requires a minimum of six months for a divorce to be complete. Second, though you can assemble your phone records to show the calls the your attorney's office, you should put your request in writing, sent Certified or Registered Mail, with Return Receipt requested.

What to do if your spouse doesn't respond to divorce?

If your spouse doesn’t respond to the divorce petition at all, you’ll need to get ready for trial. Your lawyer can help you get the proper documentation together so you can successfully get the divorce granted.

What to do when your wife won't cooperate?

When your wife won’t cooperate, you may think the best option is to hire a lawyer for litigation. However, before you reach this point, you can also try another option to get the ball rolling. Then, you can bring in a lawyer as needed. Let’s take a look at how to set the divorce in motion with minimal strife on both sides.

How to proceed with divorce?

1. Choose the Grounds for Divorce. Every state requires you to provide a reason for the end of the marriage. Every state also offers some kind of no- fault divorce. Either way, you have to prove that you have grounds for the divorce.

Can a divorce be completed without one person agreeing to it?

The court needs to agree to grant the divorce, not the other person in the marriage. As long as the necessary financial and legal issues get resolved, the divorce can be completed with one person never agreeing to it.

Can a divorce be filed with the court?

You can file your divorce papers with the court, and your wife can argue against as many points in the agreement as she wants to. She may make it difficult to reach an agreement on child support, alimony, the division of property, parenting arrangements, and more. These negotiations can run on for a long time.

Is divorce good for kids?

She may try to convince you to “stay together for the kids,” so have your argument as to why divorce is best for the whole family ready. The more long and argumentative the divorce is, the harder it is for the kids. Your wife may not want a divorce, but if she cooperates with the process, the children will be better for it.

Why do divorce attorneys work hard?

Divorce attorneys work hard to achieve favorable and fair results for their clients. Good clients appreciate the effort, even if things don't always work out the way they hoped. Many clients are never happy, win or lose, and are not afraid to let their attorney know it.

Why do I get divorced?

If I had to bet, I would say that one of the reasons you are getting divorced, or already divorced is because of conflicts with your spouse over parenting. It's very common and one of the more stressful phases of a divorce.

What should an attorney tell you?

Here are five things your attorney really wants to tell you, but doesn't because he wants to maintain the relationship and keep you as a client. You're better off knowing this though because it will influence your relationship with your lawyer and the value he/she provides to you. Advertisement. 1. You call too often.

What happens when you retain a lawyer?

When you retain a lawyer, whether for a divorce or another issue, the lawyer is ethically charged with holding what you say to him/her as confidential.

Do attorneys charge hourly?

Most attorneys charge on an hourly basis, which is stated in your retainer agreement. Clients pay for an attorney's time. Your attorney is not your therapist, although I play one on t.v. I always tell clients I will talk to you as long as you want, but don't be surprised when you get the bill.

When should an attorney contact you?

Your attorney will contact you when he/she needs something from you. There are periods in every case where nothing is going on and there is down time. Your attorney should give you periodic updates on the status of things and it's ok to check in yourself, but daily calls are unnecessary and only run up your bill.

Do divorce attorneys get paid?

Attorneys are not free. They get paid for provide you with their time, knowledge and services. Now, it's often the case in a divorce that money is tight and most attorneys are sensitive to this, but they have to pay their bills too and can't work for free. You can't expect them to work for free.

What happens when you go to court?

When you go to court, your lawyer will generally do most of the talking on your behalf. Unless the judge asks you a direct question, you probably won’t say much at all. However, your ex will be expected to speak for him- or herself.

Can my ex talk to my attorney?

Your ex cannot talk to your attorney for advice. Your lawyer and your ex can pass on information to each other, because your ex has no one to speak on his or her behalf, but that’s the legal extent of their communication with each other.

Is self representation necessary in divorce?

The Downside of Self-Representation During Divorce. While divorce seems like a straightforward process, that’s not always the case. In fact, there usually are back-and-forth documents that often need to be filed with the appropriate clerks within certain timeframes.

Can a friend give anecdotes about divorce?

Well-meaning friends and family might be able to provide personal anecdotes about their own child custody , property division and other divorce experiences, but every case has its own nuances; what works for one person won’t work for another, even if the situation is similar.

What are some secrets that a divorce lawyer may not want to share with you?

Below are twenty secrets that a divorce lawyer may not want to share with you. 1. It's going to cost more than you bargained for. It's not always the case—but more often than not, the costs associated with your divorce will often be higher than your lawyer's original estimate.

How to choose a divorce attorney?

There are several things to look for when choosing a divorce attorney. You want to choose someone who is experienced, respected, competent, and affordable. If they are proving to not be a good fit though, change them. Because you can, even if the reason is that you don't get on with him or her. Bear in mind however that if an attorney has worked on your case, you'll have to pay her/him for their time. Also, it might damage your case to change attorney's when you are close to a court ordered deadline, so only do it after careful consideration.

How do divorce lawyers save money?

That you'll save money and heartache by being organized. Divorce lawyers often charge by the hour. If you take responsibility for being as organized as possible, not only are you likely to walk away from your marriage with a more acceptable outcome, you'll probably save some money too.

What is mediation in divorce?

Mediation is a process whereby you and your spouse sit down with a neutral third party to negotiate several important areas of divorce. It's a low-cost way to address practically any other disagreement you and your spouse may have. While the mediator's decision is not binding, it allows a neutral party to provide their perspective on how divorce related issues should be addressed. However, mediation can only be a useful tool if you and your spouse can come to an broad agreement.

What does it mean to be uncontested in divorce?

An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse agree child custody, spousal support, child support, visitation, and division of property. If you find that there is no need to fight over these things, you've already saved yourself thousands of dollars.

What is fault based divorce?

Fault-based divorce is when one spouse committed an act that gives legal justification to the ending of the marriage. These acts include adultery, a felony conviction, cruelty, or desertion.

How to start a divorce?

One of the best and simplest ways to do that is to start a divorce file. In this file, keep every bit of paper that could have an effect on how your divorce proceedings. Gather copies of all important financial documents and access to all account information. Keep it organized and easy to navigate.

What to do in a contentious divorce?

In more contentious divorces, an attorney can make sure that your interests are represented in court. Even in a “friendly” divorce you are often better off hiring a lawyer to help file paperwork and guide you through the court system. 2. Don’t neglect your finances.

What to do when a divorced couple has a large amount of assets?

Don’t forget to consult an attorney. A lawyer can make sure that you both review and understand anything before you sign or agree. An experienced family law attorney is often a good idea for situations where the divorcing couple has a large amount of assets, property or other complicated financial matters.

How to prepare for divorce?

If you’re thinking about divorce, you need to immediately begin to set aside money for the all the expenses involved. Make copies of all your financial documents and legal records before your divorce proceedings begin.

Is it normal to want to tell someone about divorce?

Emotions are running high, it’s perfectly normal to want to let others know what’s going on in your life. You may desperately want support, you may not want to suffer in silence, or you may just want to punish your partner and embarrass them. This doesn’t mean that you have to keep your a divorce secret from everyone, you just need to decide who you tell and why.

Do family and friends have good intentions when divorced?

Your family and friends may have good intentions, but their divorce experience is based on the facts and circumstances that are unique to them and may not apply in your situation.

Can you use your kids to manipulate your spouse?

This should go without saying, but unfortunately, it still happens, even unintentionally. Check your own behavior and don’t use your kids to punish or manipulate your spouse. In the end, this will cause resentment and have a negative impact on the relationship you have with your children.

Can you have a relationship outside of marriage during divorce?

Even if you and your spouse no longer live together, in some states a relationship outside of marriage can become an issue during the divorce process. With all of the changes going on in your life, avoiding any type of romantic relationship is often the best thing to do for your emotionally. 8.

Lee Alan Thompson

Did you have an attorney? If not, no, it's malpractice. It may rise to the level of a disciplinary complaint but I would go there without speaking to an attorney first. Some of what you are complaining about could have been handled at the deposition or at trial. More

Peggy M. Raddatz

You should have been represented by counsel. You cannot sue a lawyer who never worked for you.

Kristen Prata Browde

You have just learned why litigating pro se against a party represented by an attorney is a problem. You should have dealt with these issues at the time. You can't sue for malpractice: the attorney didn't work for you. Whether you have other options would require a detailed discussion, which you should have with a local attorney.

Why does my wife love me but doesn't want me?

My Wife Loves Me But Doesn’t Desire Me. There are many reasons physical desire can diminish hormonal changes, stress, age (although I believe this is less impacting than most people think), emotional wounds, to name a few. There could also be more nefarious reasons; infidelity, substance abuse, or pornography .

What did Sam say to his wife?

Sam was devastated when he said, ‘My wife doesn’t love me…but won’t leave ! Those words can have a deep emotional impact. In this article we attempted to help you find out why your wife said she doesn’t love you. And why she doesn’t want to move out.