One of the difficult things about getting divorced is the emotions involved. Unlike any other area of law, the person you are in court against is a person you cared enough about to marry. There isn’t much more personal than that. Thus, when things go badly, the feelings run far deeper than just about anything else. If there are kids involved, then all bets are off.
That is why it is important for many people to get a good counselor who can help them sort out their feelings. A good therapist can keep you centered and prevent you from making mistakes. In the TV series Breaking Bad, the wife of Walter White went to see a divorce attorney. “I am twice the price and half as qualified as a therapist.” Words to live by.
Although you may not “buy into” the concept, I do. I often spend a lot of time listening to problems that have no legal solution. It’s not that I don’t mind listening, it’s just that I am not the right person for that job and it complicates my relationship with my clients. Although I am compassionate, and a good listener, often the time wasted does NOTHING to advance the case and drains the retainer (and my limited time) for a less-than-optimal reason. My advice? Get a therapist. Divorce is among one of the most traumatic experiences in a person’s life, right up there with the death of a loved one. Don’t ignore that reality.
