Washington, DC Divorce Lawyer
When you are getting a divorce, your Washington, DC divorce lawyer understands that you may be struggling with what kinds of information to divulge. In fact, many people think that for them to get ahead in a divorce or have the best outcome, they need to keep as much information to themselves. After all, it is easier not to get hurt or to come out on top when you play your cards close to your chest, right? This is not necessarily the case when it comes to speaking with your lawyer. When you are proceeding with a divorce, it means opening up to your lawyer from Cohen & Cohen. We care about the outcome of your case and if you do not speak candidly with your lawyer about what happened and what you hope to get out of your divorce, you cannot expect a positive outcome.
What makes divorce law different?
With many different civil lawsuits, a person is usually bringing forth a suit that is not personal. Whether it was a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or a contract dispute, this is usually something done with the other party’s insurance agent and it is meant to help you get the compensation you are owed. With divorce litigation, however, this is incredibly personal. You may be fighting for a house you have lived in for 20 years. You might be fighting for the right to raise your children and have physical custody. When marriages sour, the person who was your closest partner is now fighting for these things too. That is why divorce can be so difficult to go through. That is why it is crucial you have a lawyer.
What do I need to disclose to my lawyer?
Plan to disclose anything pertinent to your marriage. If you think there is something that your spouse may use against you during the divorce (such as a mental health diagnosis, a substance abuse issue, etc.), then it is important to come out ahead and disclose this to your lawyer. You do not need to worry that your lawyer is going to air out your personal information in the divorce case or to the public. Your conversations with your lawyer are done in confidence and they will not share what you say unless it involves committing a future crime, preventing the harm or death of someone else, or in the event that your lawyer needs help from other attorneys, in certain circumstances.
What if my spouse tries to use a mental health diagnosis to keep my children away?
It is best to speak openly with your Washington divorce lawyer about any mental health diagnosis you may have. It is easy to want to hide this kind of diagnosis so that you can keep your children close, but this will only hurt you and our reputation in the end. The court will want to know if you have a diagnosed mental health problem and that you have or are actively seeking help so that you can parent appropriately and safely. Your attorney can help ensure you are getting the help you need so that this is not a cause for concern during the divorce proceedings.
If you are ready to move forward with your divorce, reach out to Cohen & Cohen to speak with our Washington divorce lawyer now.
