Your client needs to speak to a family law attorney when:

It can be difficult for people to know when to reach out to a divorce lawyer. There are certain situations where physical or financial well-being may be at stake and it is essential to get professional advice. Your client needs to speak to a family law attorney when:

1.?????They are cut off from bank accounts.

When one spouse controls the purse strings, the other may end up trapped or unable to adequately take care of themselves. This could result in losing custody, support or assets. If your client tells you that their spouse has suddenly removed them from access to financial accounts, they may be moving money or planning something.

2.?????Their spouse suddenly makes large purchases.

Some people buy a car, boat or other big ticket items right before filing for divorce. This can be an attempt to use marital assets or create marital debt before the filing cut off. Sudden large purchases that concern your client might be a symptom that there is marital trouble or divorce planning in the works.

3.?????They don’t feel safe.

If a client tells you they do not feel safe at home, that should never be ignored. Domestic violence is prevalent and can happen to those couples who seem so happy/calm/put together. One in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[1] ?If your client expresses any concerns about safety, even if they try to downplay them, provide them with the domestic violence hotline contact information and recommend that they seek legal counsel.

4.?????They or their spouse are planning to leave the state with their child.

Once a divorce is filed, there is an automatic injunction against taking a child out of the state. But simply taking a child and leaving can trigger negative consequences if the other spouse then files for divorce. If a client tells you they plan to move out of state with a child and not tell their spouse, they may want to first consult with a family law attorney.

5.?????Their spouse tells them they can handle their own divorce/do not call a lawyer.

Some people can handle their divorce agreements by themselves. But, in nearly all cases, the parties would benefit from consulting with a lawyer to understand their rights and responsibilities. If a client tells you that their spouse does want them talking to a lawyer, this could be a sign that they should.

Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions.

[1] The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.SAFE (7233) or text “Start” to 88788