Protecting your favorite ally
Top ten things you should never do to alienate your attorney
By Stacy D. Phillips, Author and Certified Family Law Specialist

In this part two segment of my "Top Ten List" of suggestions on what not to do and what is best to do as you navigate your way through your divorce, I have spelled out my favorite top ten suggestions for keeping your attorney on your side rather than turning him or her against you.

More information on building your partnership with your lawyer How to Evaluate an Attorney The Full-Service Lawyer A Solid Relationship with Your Divorce Attorney

As I mentioned in the first part of this 14-part series, in my book, Divorce: It's All About Control—How to Win the Emotional, Psychological and Legal Wars, I tick off a variety of top ten lists similar to how late night talk show host, David Letterman, gives his "reasons" why some things turn out the way they do, or suggestions on how others should handle their newsworthy crises of the day. Though some of my recommendations are made tongue-in-cheek, others are not—they are meant to provide a wake-up call.

In my last entry, I stated that those items on my top ten lists may seem preposterous but they are not. Many of my suggestions stem from my own experiences as a family law attorney.

The following rundown provides pointers on what not to do if you want to keep a good, solid relationship with your attorney.

Naturally, some of these recommendations may seem far-fetched but they are not. They can and have happened.

Do not:

10. Make a pass at him/her.
9. Show up late for meetings and court appearances.
8. Threaten to sue him/her if they botch your case.
7. Tell him/her you think opposing counsel is doing a better job.
6. Put him/her on hold while you take another call.
5. Have your retainer or payment checks bounce.
4. Nitpick his/her bill.
3. Make negative comments about his/her offices (décor, distance, size…)
2. Order him/her around.
1. Lie to him/her

Stacy D. Phillips is a certified family law specialist and author of Divorce: It's All About Control—How to Win the Emotional, Psychological and Legal Wars (ExecuProv Press, 2005—now in its fifth printing). Phillips represents business executives, entrepreneurs, homemakers, and high net-worth individuals, as well as celebrities in the music, film and television industries, including noted personalities in sports and politics.

For more articles on working with your divorce lawyers, visit www.divorcemag.com/articles/Divorce_Lawyers.

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