Asking an attorney whether or not you need a lawyer to represent you in family law matters is a lot like asking someone who works in car sales if today is a good time to buy a car. The expected answer is “yes, definitely!”

You may find yourself in the midst of an increasingly hostile marital breakdown or, even after being divorced for several years, you could still be embroiled in nasty disputes over shared children. These scenarios are very common and you will often need a skilled attorney to help you navigate them. While this is not legal advice, I do have some tips for dealing with a high conflict personality at the end of your relationship.

When you begin an attorney-client relationship with our firm, I will always communicate with you in a straightforward manner. As a Marine, this trait was invaluable when I served, and it continues to be so as a lawyer when I have to navigate tough topics with clients.

Shift, workers, military personnel and other parents with non-traditional schedules often feel that they are at a disadvantage in custody negotiations. Police officers, firefighters or medical professionals who regularly work nights may struggle to find childcare that allows them to maximize their parenting time or will find that the other party may try to use the schedule of their co-parent to finagle more custody for themselves.

I recently heard another family attorney criticizing the notion of fathers’ rights. This attorney stated that she did not appreciate when her clients complained about their treatment as fathers in the family court system. She thought that these men should simply stop complaining and accept their treatment.

I disagree.

Violence in schools is a concern of many parents, including myself. When we send our children to school, there is an expectation that they will be kept safe from harm and violence. Unfortunately, sometimes this expectation is not met and many children throughout Texas schools are subject to bullying and violence on a near daily basis.

Read books and articles about what to expect from this process. While your attorney will guide you in the legal realm, the breakup of a family is a significant and devastating time for many, and having a basic understanding would be helpful. By conducting some research of your own, you will have a clearer picture of what to expect during this time and develop realistic goals on what you’d like for the final outcome.

While many professions have clients, the nature of the relationship between lawyers and their clients is a unique one. In my areas of practice, I serve people who are often dealing with some of the most stressful events in their lives and, consequently, are in great emotional turmoil when we speak.