Latest / Reflect Reclaim & Liberate - with Sallyanne Hartnell / How To Choose A Divorce Lawyer - Part 1

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How To Choose A Divorce Lawyer - Part 1 · Reflect Reclaim & Liberate - with Sallyanne Hartnell

• 0:07
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to Reflect, Reclaim and Liberate the podcast.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_00: Finding the space for all of you in life and love.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Sally Ann Hartmann, and this podcast is for anyone wanting to reclaim and liberate themselves in their relationships and their life.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: Wherever you are on your relationship journey, these conversations meet you right there in soulful, deeply supportive DNMs with me and interviews with other gorgeous humans.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: Moving you from where you are to where you most want to be.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: A life and love completely aligned with your deepest desires to have it all on your own terms.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: If you're seeking a relationship and a life that lights up all of you, you're in the right place.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: I'd also like to acknowledge that this podcast is recorded on the traditional lands of the Wuradri people and pay my respects to elders past, present, and emerging and acknowledge them as the original storytellers of this land.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome back to another episode of Reflect, Reclaim and Liberate.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: It's been a while.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: There's been a fair bit going on in the background, professionally and personally, so I took a little hiatus from the podcast, but I'm really thrilled to be back.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: And especially back with this episode, which has probably been a long time coming.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_00: And it's a question I'm often asked when working with clients who have decided to separate or even are thinking about separating, and that is how to choose a divorce lawyer or how to choose a family law practitioner.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Now I want to open by saying not every divorce needs two lawyers fighting it out on your and your ex's behalf.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: Not every separation divorce heads down that type of pathway.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: There are actually other pathways available to you.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: So I wanted to run through those options first, which will then lead into the deeper conversation around how to actually go about choosing who to work with as you navigate your own divorce.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: So you can do a DIY type divorce.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Sit around, kitchen table discussion, you know, just nut it out between the two of you.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: And this is probably best in situations where there are no major assets, there are no children involved.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: There are even online options where you can be led through this process in a DIY type fashion.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: You can even draft up consent orders, which are then submitted to court, and then your divorce is applied for.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: So you can do it yourself without any legal intervention except for the formalization of the consent orders if that's what you choose, and then divorce, which is a legal process.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: Then you can go through mediation, which is a mediation is a supported conversation between the two of you, facilitated by a trained professional.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: The mediator will mediate the conversation between the two of you, helping you unpack what you need to discuss, and then come to agreement resolution, and then you can go on to draft up agreements.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: There's also the collaborative law approach, which is a team-based approach where both of you have legal representation.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: In a true collaborative process, both of your lawyers will sign an agreement at the beginning stating their commitment to resolving settling your case without ever going to court.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: So if you go through a collaborative law model, the lawyer that chooses that you choose to work with cannot ever take that to court.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: So if it if it doesn't work out, if it's not resolved via the collaborative model, then you would need to choose a different lawyer.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: But most are, most are worked through collaboratively.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: As I said, collaborative law is a team model.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: You each have a lawyer, you each have fine, or you have financial representative, there might be a psychologist, there might be a coach.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: Then there is lawyer-assisted settlement or lawyer-assisted divorce, where your lawyer works with your spouse's lawyer.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: And this is where, I was gonna say this is where it's really important.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_00: It's really important to choose the right practitioner regardless, which we'll get into, hey.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then there's that really small percentage that actually end up in litigation, that that the resolution of your separation and your settlement is um is based in a court.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_00: This is really the last option if you simply cannot agree, or or there are real barriers to you being able to safely engage with one another in a way that you can resolve your issue.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: So court really is the last resort.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_00: Um and it is only a small percentage in Australia that end up in court, but it does happen.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: So, firstly, it's important to choose the pathway which is going to suit you or your family best.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: Now, there's lots of resources available, more than what I've just briefly outlined, um, to explain those pathways perhaps better or more in more detail than I've just done.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: But for now, that probably suffices.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: So there's DIY, mediation, collaborative law, lawyer-assisted settlement, and last resort court-based settlement.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: So choose the pathway that is going to suit you and your family best, and that then helps inform what type of family law practitioner will be able to support that or support you best through that.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I'm I have to credit part of what I'm about to share with you to um Powerhouse Woman, Cassandra Calpaxis from Calpaxis Legal DRCA and the Detox Your Divorce Retreat, which I spoke at recently.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_00: Um, at that retreat, Cass asked the attendees how they chose or would choose a divorce lawyer, and the answers that they gave were um insightful and to be honest, a little a little unnerving.
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and so my question for you is not initially about choosing a divorce lawyer, but about choosing someone else, and this is how Cass framed it at the retreat.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: So, my big question is if you needed specialist medical treatment, if you needed a specialist examination or procedure, how would you choose that specialist?
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_00: Would you Google cheapest paps mere near me?
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: Would you just jump online and Google cheapest paps mere?
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: Would you trust someone you've never met before, you've barely spoken to, who has no idea of who you are, your medical history, um, but just happens to operate near you and hits the lowest common denominator price point?
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: Would you trust that person without referral, without discussion, to get up close and personal with your body and give you a pap smear?
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_00: Or for those of you who don't actually need a paps smear, what about a prostate check or um a root canal?
• 8:07
  SPEAKER_00: Would you just Google cheapest or closest for these pretty intimate and you know potentially life-changing procedures?
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: Would you just Google cheapest, closest?
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_00: Probably not.
• 8:23
  SPEAKER_00: Well, I know I wouldn't.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_00: I'd want to know that I had someone who was well trained and experienced in pap smears or prostate checks or root canal work.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: I'd want to know that they had the appropriate experience to deliver the outcome that I'm hoping for.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_00: I would want to know that they actually cared about what they were doing, that they actually cared about me and my outcome, that they asked questions about what I needed and they sought to clarify how I wanted things to be.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_00: Um, that they shared or they very least understood what was important to me, my values.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_00: They actually cared about me and what happened to me along the way as well as the outcome.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_00: So they were caring throughout the process as well as cared about the outcome.
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_00: Um I would also want to know that they would be able to say, this is actually, this part is beyond me.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um, this part of this procedure, this part of this experience is beyond me.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_00: We need another expert here, so I'm going to call in person X or person Y to help support us in this part.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: Um I would also want to know that they're trauma-informed, that they understood the magnitude of this thing we're about to undertake, you know, cancer treatment or whatever it is, that it was bigger than just the thing, and that there was a whole lot of other people, there's a series of knock-on effects, other people that might be impacted, and it wasn't just me and the root canal, or me and the cancer treatment.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_00: So to find that person, that practitioner, I would not just Google.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_00: I might Google, but I wouldn't only Google.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_00: I would probably ask friends who'd who's had a great experience with a BAP smear.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um, as great as that kind of experience can be.
• 10:26
  SPEAKER_00: So I would ask friends, I would ask colleagues at work, my wider social circle, if they know anyone who's had a great doctor deliver a great service that was safe, that was effective, that was painless, and the procedure was performed with kindness, empathy, compassion as well as skill.
• 10:48
  SPEAKER_00: That there was an experienced, well-trained, and well-resourced practitioner who delivered the results while also taking into consideration the human in their care.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_00: I would ask other professionals who work in the same area.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: And you know, for a perhaps neuromedical procedure, that might be going to your GP and asking for a recommendation to a trusted gynecologist.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_00: And the process is really the same when you're looking for a family lawyer to help you and guide you through your divorce.
• 11:19
  SPEAKER_00: So you might go and check with your GP for the gynecologist or the specialist.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: For a family lawyer, that might mean checking in with the other professionals that are already in your network.
• 11:30
  SPEAKER_00: Your psychologist, your coach, maybe your accountant or financial planner.
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_00: Ask them who they would suggest you contact or connect with to provide you the support that you need and the outcome that's really aligned with you, your unique circumstances and your values as a human.
• 11:48
  SPEAKER_00: So going back to the beginning where I outlined those options and pathways that are available to you while you navigate your way through divorce.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_00: If you don't want a high-conflict divorce, when you're asking for advice, don't be swayed by someone who enthusiastically suggests, oh, you know, you should go with lawyer X, who my cousin's best friend's sister used.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_00: He was amazing and he fought for every little thing and he drilled it down, and you know, she got to keep the house or he screwed her over, blah, blah, blah, whatever.
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_00: If you don't want that kind of experience for yourself, don't be swayed by someone really enthusiastically steering you towards a practitioner who isn't aligned with how you want your divorce to be.
• 12:35
  SPEAKER_00: And yes, of course, there are two people divorcing, so you can only control your part.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_00: But if you are clear that that's not the pathway you want to choose, make sure you're not swayed and you choose a practitioner who is aligned and supportive of the pathway you most hope that this divorce will head down.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_00: So choose someone who is really openly supportive of how you want your divorce to be, even while taking into consideration what's happening and what's coming at you from the other side, from your ex.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_00: Choose someone who isn't pushing you too quickly or too hard in a direction you're not really ready or wanting to go.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_00: And choose someone you can trust.
• 13:23
  SPEAKER_00: Knowing you've got someone, a trained, experienced, respected, well-resourced, well-referenced professional in your corner who you can trust really massively reduces the stress of divorce.
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_00: So some tips how to choose a lawyer.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_00: Firstly, start looking before you need one.
• 13:48
  SPEAKER_00: Now when I say this, I'm not advocating lawyer up immediately.
• 13:54
  SPEAKER_00: You might need to, but scrambling at the last minute to find a lawyer actually causes stress, and stress is not great when it comes to making sound objective decisions that are deeply supportive of you.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_00: So start looking before you think you need one.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_00: Research and even interview a few to find someone who suits you and your needs before you hit a crash point where you need one, like now.
• 14:25
  SPEAKER_00: Do a bit of try before you buy, and by that I mean have a few telephone conversations, introductory calls.
• 14:35
  SPEAKER_00: Um, most firmly lawyers offer a free intro call, which allows you to assess compatibility, alignment.
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_00: Are they offering what you want, what you need?
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and do you have a can you know do you feel a connection?
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_00: So start looking before you need one, do some research, and even just have a short list ready to go.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_00: Secondly, choose someone with aligned values.
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_00: As I said earlier, what sort of divorce do you want?
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_00: And yes, I know there's always another party involved who can steer things in a different direction, but you know, how do you want this to play out for you, for your family?
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_00: And are the values you've chosen to act on as you move through your divorce aligned with the lawyer you're choosing?
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_00: Do you want the bulldog, gloves on, prime for a fight kind of lawyer, or are you actually seeking a more collaborative, mediated approach which is, you know, absolutely geared toward keeping you all out of the court system?
• 15:39
  SPEAKER_00: So does this lawyer that you're looking at that you're speaking to believe that fundamentally divorce is a human problem, or at least there are human elements in the legal problem that is divorce?
• 15:51
  SPEAKER_00: It's a personal, emotional issue with legal and financial ramifications, one but it's one that impacts everyone involved and has wide-reaching ripple effects.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: So does that lawyer see the human and the humanity in divorce, or is it just a legal battle to be won or lost?
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_00: Choose someone whose values align with yours and choose a specialist.
• 16:21
  SPEAKER_00: You know, going back to that, the Papsmere example, you're not gonna go to somebody who's just a generalist if what you need is a high-level specialist uh medical procedure.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_00: You're not gonna go just to your GP for the really high-level stuff.
• 16:39
  SPEAKER_00: You know, you're not gonna go to your GP if what you need is a brain surgeon.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: So you choose a specialist, choose someone who solely practices family law.
• 16:47
  SPEAKER_00: There are all sorts of nuances within the family law space.
• 16:53
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so you want someone who's really on top of all of that.
• 16:57
  SPEAKER_00: You know, you're not gonna go and rock up to the 24-hour bulk billing clinic and take a punt on who's who's there.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_00: You're actually gonna go and seek out that specialist, that brain surgeon, whoever it is.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_00: So do the same with your with your legal team.
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_00: Choose someone who specializes in family law and absolutely meet them in real life if possible, but at least on Zoom or online over Teams.
• 17:23
  SPEAKER_00: That way you can check all these things.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_00: You can check, you know, do you feel a connection?
• 17:28
  SPEAKER_00: Is there the vibe?
• 17:30
  SPEAKER_00: You know, is the way they show up compatible with the way you show up?
• 17:35
  SPEAKER_00: You know, are they open and honest and treat you with kindness and respect?
• 17:40
  SPEAKER_00: Do they explain things in a way you can understand?
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_00: Do they allow you to ask questions?
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_00: Do they clarify when you don't when you don't understand something?
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_00: Do they ask you questions to understand you and your unique circumstances?
• 17:56
  SPEAKER_00: Your story and your family's story?
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_00: Are they someone you feel you can trust who will actually work proactively to understand and represent your point of view?
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_00: And do they sort of calm calm you down?
• 18:15
  SPEAKER_00: Do they support, nurture, guide?
• 18:18
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, but if you if working with someone, if you think working with someone will actually cause you more stress, if you feel like they're not listening to you, not treating you with respect, or if they're not giving you the advice and information to help you really clearly understand your situation, your responsibilities, you might be better to keep looking.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_00: So do you feel comfortable with them?
• 18:44
  SPEAKER_00: Do you feel listened to and valued, that your thoughts and feelings and opinions are being honoured, that your humanity and your emotions are seen and witnessed and respected, as well as all the legal stuff?
• 18:58
  SPEAKER_00: Because I think you need a balance.
• 19:00
  SPEAKER_00: For most of us, we're going to need a balance going through this.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_00: Do you feel this lawyer is going to be accessible, present, and available?
• 19:10
  SPEAKER_00: Do you feel like they'll answer your calls, they'll respond to your questions, your emails in a timely fashion?
• 19:16
  SPEAKER_00: Do you feel they're giving your concerns and your case or they'll be able to give your concerns and your case the time and attention it deserves and that you want?
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_00: Are they constantly distracted answering texts and phone calls and emails during your consult time?
• 19:32
  SPEAKER_00: If they are, maybe you're not getting the most attentive assistance.
• 19:36
  SPEAKER_00: Think about how accessible and present they are being in this intro meeting and ask questions about access and availability if you are to engage them to handle your family law matter.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_00: So accessibility and responsiveness, I guess, is is pretty important.
• 20:03
  SPEAKER_00: If you've got a lawyer who's great at what they do, but they're not communicating with you, they're not letting you know, they're not keeping you informed, that will actually increase your stress.
• 20:13
  SPEAKER_00: So you want someone who is accessible and responsible.
• 20:16
  SPEAKER_00: Responsible?
• 20:17
  SPEAKER_00: Responsive.
• 20:18
  SPEAKER_00: Let's try responsive.
• 20:20
  SPEAKER_00: And then of course, we get down to the dollars.
• 20:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, think back to the Papsmere example.
• 20:26
  SPEAKER_00: You don't necessarily want to go with the least expensive option if they're going to miss an important diagnosis or they've never done one before, they don't have the right training, the resources, equipment, and backup.
• 20:38
  SPEAKER_00: So, just as in many other life circumstances, cheap in family law may actually end up costing you more.
• 20:45
  SPEAKER_00: So, fees alone is not the best indicator that this lawyer is or is not the right one for you.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_00: I want you to think value over bottom line cost.
• 20:57
  SPEAKER_00: What value is this lawyer offering you?
• 21:00
  SPEAKER_00: And so that does bring in other elements to be considered than just the bottom line.
• 21:07
  SPEAKER_00: It's also really important that that you can easily understand how you will be billed.
• 21:12
  SPEAKER_00: Different law practices have different ways of billing.
• 21:15
  SPEAKER_00: Some offer fixed-fee services, some are traditional billing per hour or less than an hour.
• 21:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um, some also offer deferred payment arrangements.
• 21:26
  SPEAKER_00: So really get clear and discuss your payment options and find a lawyer that has a solution that works for you, that may be flexible, that will fit your needs, and is really clear on how that works in practice.
• 21:42
  SPEAKER_00: So choose value over bottom line cost, but also make sure that it's transparent.
• 21:48
  SPEAKER_00: The fees and the billing and the system is transparent, and you ask all the questions about the money before you engage.
• 21:57
  SPEAKER_00: Now, everybody's really focused.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_00: Quite rightly on the outcome, getting the outcome they want when they engage a family lawyer, right?
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_00: Choose a lawyer who, yes, explains the best possible outcome, but choose someone who explains and outlines all the possibilities, all the pathways open to you.
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, including the worst case scenario, and doesn't just tell you what you want to hear.
• 22:30
  SPEAKER_00: It's absolutely okay if your lawyer doesn't tell you exactly what you want to hear.
• 22:35
  SPEAKER_00: Be okay with someone who tells you the truth, who presents you with possibilities or options or outcomes beyond what you what you'd hoped or what you wanted to hear, provided, of course, they're caring and compassionate with that honesty.
• 22:55
  SPEAKER_00: Choose someone who openly explains possibilities that may not be what you most want to hear, but they're gently, kindly, compassionately prepping you for okay, this could happen, or this could happen, or this could happen, and that you feel they are able to navigate and hold you through all of those options.
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_00: Also be realistic about what your lawyer can and can't do, what is in their wheelhouse.
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_00: So this is about the team, their own team within their practice, their law firm, but also beyond that.
• 23:35
  SPEAKER_00: So be realistic, have realistic expectations about what they can and what they can't do.
• 23:42
  SPEAKER_00: For example, you might want your lawyer to listen to your anger and your frustration and your sadness, and to a point that's important to communicate that with them, but that's not their primary role.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_00: So be realistic about the role of your divorce lawyer, the role of your family law practitioner, and what you can expect from him or her, and who else in their team can you expect to be working with?
• 24:10
  SPEAKER_00: So that might be a coach, that might be um another lawyer within the firm.
• 24:17
  SPEAKER_00: You might not be working one-on-one with the senior practitioner that you've just interviewed.
• 24:23
  SPEAKER_00: So ask those questions about expect what I can expect in terms of who will be working with me day to day, who else do you have that I can be supported by?
• 24:36
  SPEAKER_00: Psychologist, coach, financial advisors, mortgage brokers, all the things.
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_00: So be realistic about what is within your lawyer's wheelhouse, but also who else they have or they can recommend that can help and support and guide you through.
• 24:53
  SPEAKER_00: And I guess just going on from that a little bit, the family law process is not something that many of us are familiar with until we actually have to be.
• 25:04
  SPEAKER_00: And so it can be confusing at best and intimidating at worst.
• 25:11
  SPEAKER_00: So choose a family lawyer who really puts you at ease by helping you understand what to expect.
• 25:19
  SPEAKER_00: So, yeah, you have expectations about what they can do, but if on the flip side of that they are helping you understand what to expect and explaining things to you, that's really, really important.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_00: So, a really good sign when you are choosing a family lawyer is if you finish or leave an introductory consultation with a with a prospective lawyer where you felt really heard and reassured, even if it wasn't what you wanted or hoped to hear, that you leave feeling understood but also informed about expectations and that you have clarity and you feel empowered.
• 26:04
  SPEAKER_00: If an introductory session leaves you feeling that way, really good signs.
• 26:09
  SPEAKER_00: Flip side, if you leave feeling more confused or more overwhelmed, it may be not always, but it may be that you haven't quite found the right person to support you.
• 26:21
  SPEAKER_00: It might just be that you're fully overwhelmed and confused and you just need some time to sift through a big dump of information.
• 26:31
  SPEAKER_00: But you want someone who'll help you through that, who will explain and will outline expectations and you can leave sessions feeling empowered, feeling understood, feeling heard.
• 26:48
  SPEAKER_00: So the final thing, the final point, I think, is go with your gut.
• 26:54
  SPEAKER_00: If you are not 100% comfortable, listen to that message.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_00: If you leave an intro session feeling only wobbly, only unheard, and 100% more confused than you went in, check in with yourself.
• 27:11
  SPEAKER_00: Listen to your gut.
• 27:12
  SPEAKER_00: No matter how highly recommended this person comes, no matter how experienced or well-credentialed, regardless of what you're telling, they're telling you about past cases, past clients, their success stories and victories.
• 27:26
  SPEAKER_00: Well, actually telling you about victories should potentially be a warning in itself.
• 27:31
  SPEAKER_00: If you're not comfortable with them, listen and go with your gut.
• 27:38
  SPEAKER_00: Listen and go with your gut.
• 27:40
  SPEAKER_00: If you leave feeling only unheard and really more confused, listen and go with your gut.
• 27:47
  SPEAKER_00: You can say thank you, not for me, keep looking.
• 27:51
  SPEAKER_00: So, in summary, get recommendations, do your own research, outline your values and be really clear on the type of divorce you want and what your ex-partner wants.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_00: Now they may not be the same, as I've explained, as we've discussed through this episode, but choose someone, choose a lawyer who fits with your values and the type of divorce you most want and can support and guide you through that as well as presenting options if that's not going to be feasible for you.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_00: Do they listen and answer questions?
• 28:28
  SPEAKER_00: Do they clarify?
• 28:30
  SPEAKER_00: Are they accessible and responsive?
• 28:33
  SPEAKER_00: Is there transparency around both the possibilities, the options, the pathways, and the fees and the fee structure?
• 28:42
  SPEAKER_00: And then finally, go with your gut.
• 28:44
  SPEAKER_00: If this person, if this meeting, it doesn't feel quite right, maybe it's not.
• 28:49
  SPEAKER_00: Don't be afraid to say no, thank you and keep looking.
• 28:54
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this is part one of a two-part series on how to choose a divorce lawyer.
• 29:01
  SPEAKER_00: The next episode I'm going to share with you is actually questions to ask when you are in that situation, when you are in that introductory meeting.
• 29:14
  SPEAKER_00: So I encourage you to go on and listen to part two of this mini-series.
• 29:20
  SPEAKER_00: And I really wanted to say thank you for being here as always.
• 29:26
  SPEAKER_00: If you found this episode supportive, encouraging, and you know someone who also might need this info, please, please share it with them.
• 29:36
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks again for sharing some time and space with me.
• 29:39
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time.
• 29:48
  SPEAKER_00: You can follow me on Instagram at Reflect Coaching, and if you can think of anyone who would love this episode, please, please share it with them.
• 29:56
  SPEAKER_00: I'd also be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast and review this episode so we can get it in the ears of a whole lot more humans just like you who are ready to reclaim and liberate themselves in life and love.
• 30:08
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you'll join me next time for another episode of Reflect, Reclaim and Liberate.
• 30:14
  SPEAKER_00: Until then.