Divorce and Who (Not) To Bring With You When You Meet Your Divorce Lawyer

In this blog about divorce and divorce law in Georgia, we attempt to give you some helpful tips about divorce and practical ideas for you to discuss with your own divorce lawyer.

So, here is another practical tip about who you should, and perhaps who you should NOT, take with you when you go to see your divorce attorney!

Is it okay to bring your kids when you meet with your divorce lawyer?

First of all, let's talk about your kids. Is it okay to take them? Ideally, you will be able to find a baby sitter, or family member, to watch your children, so that you can openly discuss your divorce with your divorce lawyer, without a lot of interruptions. But as a practical matter, we, at the Goolsby Law Firm, recognize that you may be unable to find a baby sitter. So, at our law firm, we keep some toys and coloring books handy, to keep the kids busy, in case you must bring them, too!

What about other family members or friends?

But let's talk about other family members. Should you bring your parents, siblings, or best friend, when you meet with your divorce lawyer? There is no simple, one-size-fits-all answer to this question. In some cases, for example, your mother may be your trusted advisor who can also help explain your situation to your divorce attorney. However, in other situations, your mom may be the type who will dominate the conversation, or make it difficult for you to confide completely in your divorce lawyer. In the latter situation, you should probably consider leaving sweet mom at home! After all, I don't believe toys or coloring books will sufficiently distract her!

Ultimately, you will have to decide who you should bring and who you should leave at home when you see your divorce attorney. But I hope this post will at least help you to carefully consider this issue, and make arrangements, prior to your own appointment with your divorce lawyer.

Child Custody: A Goolsby "War Story" About Summer Smith

"Mr. Goolsby, if you will take our child custody case, I promise you I will get a second job and I promise I will do whatever it takes to pay you for your help!"

I will never forget this plea from a little girl's mother and maternal grandmother. At the time, I was right out of law school and still wet behind the ears. I was practicing family law in a small south Georgia law firm. The custody case involved Summer Smith, (not her real name*), a precious two year old girl, who was caught in the middle of a bitter custody battle between the little girl's mother and the little girl's paternal grandmother.

I had serious doubts about taking the case. First of all, the child's mother and (maternal) grandmother had no money and I realized this custody case would be very demanding. Also, at the beginning, the facts and the law didn't look too good for our side. For instance, I learned that the child's (paternal) grandmother had adopted the child in another state, albeit without serving or providing notice to our client, the child's mother. In addition, the child's mother had shown questionable judgment by going to the other state, where she had "snatched" her child and brought her back to Georgia.

The (paternal) grandmother had immediately come to Georgia, retained another attorney, and was seeking the return of her "adopted" child (and grandchild). Again, things didn't look good for the home team!

But I took the case and learned several lessons from it! For instance, we won the child custody battle! I was able to convince the judge that the adoption was bogus, and should be set aside, because our client had not been properly served or given notice. I also convinced the judge that it would be in the child's best interests for her mother to have custody. It was a resounding victory! We were totally successful in re-uniting the little girl, Summer, with her mom! I had learned that, generally, you don't always know what the courts will do!

However, I also learned another important lesson! In this case, even though we won, we never got paid a dime for our legal services! So, I learned that, sometimes, as a family lawyer, your only reward may be a job well done! And at least, looking back, I can be proud that I helped re-unite a little girl with her mother!

[* Facts and names have been changed in this illustration.]