HESITATING TO SEEK A LAWYER’S ADVICE
When divorce seems inevitable, the first thing to do is seek advice from a lawyer not affiliated with your spouse, advises Anne P. Mitchell, Esq, attorney and family law professor—even if you’re hoping to settle out of court.
Only an attorney can assess whether your divorce is a good candidate for ‘alternative dispute resolution’ (ADR), and even if things seem amicable, ‘don’t assume that once the rings come off, they’ll stay that way,’ advises Mischelle Copeland, a financial advisor with Wells Fargo.