| All too often domestic violence survivors use all of | | | | unethical. |
| their financial resources to hire an attorney and then | | | | So how now will your counsel arrange to satisfy his |
| come to find they have nothing left to secure a | | | | her needs in order to remain as your representative |
| professional advocate that remains on their side. And | | | | in your case? He/she will need to turn to those who |
| then they feel frustrated, desperate, hopeless and | | | | can access the key that opens the marital funds. |
| abused. Sound familiar? | | | | Now to get this level of cooperation there must be |
| You expect your attorney to represent your best | | | | some give and take along the way. |
| interest and so it is understandable how you want to | | | | Advocate for Your Best Advantage |
| invest all you have in this relationship. But, what may | | | | Do not get concerned by the realities revealed in this |
| not be apparent right out of the gate is that this | | | | expose'; rather let this information help you prepare |
| person will need to be paid beyond the initial retainer. | | | | yourself more adequately to have professional |
| Now if you have limited resources, which is the case | | | | advocacy that is un-entangled in the system that you |
| for most domestic violence survivors, you could very | | | | are navigating. |
| well be in a compromising situation once that retainer | | | | Also, do not take this to suggest that all counsel may |
| runs out-if not sooner. Here's why... | | | | fail to represent your best interest. We have seen |
| Divorce Attorney's Realities | | | | some excellent legal representation for battered |
| Your divorce attorney is not going to work without | | | | women. We find that all things being equal, one |
| being paid. So he/she will need to strategize how this | | | | factor that impacts loyal representation is a second |
| will be done. Who do you think he/she must appeal | | | | arm to help you hold your own. |
| to in order to carve the way toward his/her financial | | | | If you are a domestic violence victim in divorce |
| sustainability in your case? | | | | proceedings, refrain from putting all your eggs in one |
| Most likely it will be to the one holding the purse | | | | basket. Keep in mind that you may want a |
| strings. Now don't get me wrong here. I'm not | | | | professional domestic abuse advocate that is not |
| suggesting that your counsel will pick up the phone | | | | entangled in your divorce. That is, you may want |
| and call your partner because he controls the | | | | someone independent of the financial politics of your |
| finances in your marriage. That would be very | | | | case to help you stand up for your rights. |