Contributing RD&T writer, Martha Bodyfelt, shares some great advice she received from her divorce lawyer.
Don’t fight. It’s not worth it.
I looked around, sure that I accidentally wandered into a therapist’s office.
“Martha, do you see these boxes here?” Don, my divorce lawyer, pointed to the pyramid of cardboard that reached the ceiling. “It’s a divorce case I’ve been working on for two years – two years! Do you know how much money they’ve wasted on this? $75,000! It’s the biggest mess I’ve ever seen. Don’t do that. Whatever you do, don’t fight. People deserve better.”
I couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth. Advice from well-meaning friends and co-workers said to beware of divorce attorneys, especially the “Gladiators” who encouraged clients to fight. The longer the couple spent arguing over assets and custody, the richer the lawyers would become.
Perhaps Don was just venting his frustration. Or maybe he slept through that Gladiator Divorce Attorney course in law school. Whatever the reason, I am grateful for his advice. Not fighting during the divorce, in spite of the rollercoaster of emotions, is beneficial for multiple reasons. It saves money, expedites healing, and empowers you during a time when you feel helpless.
