Simple Divorce Advice

By Henry S. Gornbein

Previously I have stated how upsetting a divorce is, and the fact that it is one of the most stressful episodes that anyone can go through in a lifetime. Over the years I have been a strong advocate of therapy for three reasons. The first reason is to see if a marriage can be saved. Whenever a prospective client comes in, I will ask that question. The second reason is to help build a support system for the client during the divorce. The third and final reason is to make sure that the client doesn’t make the same mistake again and again by marrying the same type of person. The next partner might be in a different physical package, but will have the same emotional makeup unless the client seeks self growth.

A lot of of my clients over the years have been referred to me by therapists, and I always make referrals to therapists. In order to waive confidentiality, which is an inviolate privilege; the client must sign a release permitting the therapist to talk to the attorney, and permitting the attorney to talk to the therapist. These are forms that therapists and attorneys always have. The divorce procedure is so stressful that sometimes the thought of going to court will aggravate a strong psychological reaction. By alerting a therapist to certain events that are going on in a divorce, the therapist can be helpful with the client. On the other hand, if a therapist is able to tell the attorney how a client is reacting to certain issues that are being raised, an attorney can steer the case to better deal with these problems and assist the client.

By keeping a line of communication open between the attorney and therapist, everyone benefits. The therapist benefits by being more aware of what is going on in the legal divorce process. The attorney benefits because knowing how a client is reacting, or knowing of some issues that a client is facing, can help determine some of the steps that may or may not be necessary in a particular divorce. The client is helped immensely because of all of the support.

Communication makes it that much easier to be effective as an attorney and as a therapist. This is a win-win situation. I have found over the years that it works very well. Many attorneys refuse to talk to therapists, and I feel strongly that they are doing their clients a disservice.

Having some means of communication is a method of lessening some of the stress and trauma that everyone goes through during the divorce process. It may even be a way to head off certain issues. Knowing more about a client through the therapist, may help the attorney avoid perhaps going through a custody battle. It might be possibly to avoid going through an unnecessary and wasteful trial. By having as many people working together, everyone benefits. Please share your thoughts with me about ways that attorneys and therapists can work together to the betterment of someone going through a divorce.

By: HENRY S. GORNBEIN

Family Law Attorney & Legal Correspondent

DivorceSourceRadio

40900 Woodward Avenue, Ste. 111

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-5116

248/594-3444; Fax 248/594-3222

DivorceSourceRadio.com

hgornbein@familylawofmichigan.com

henry@divorceonline.com

View original post: How Can Lawyers and Therapists Help a Client Through Divorce

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