Frequently Asked Questions
What advice do you have for people contemplating divorce?
The same advice we give friends who are getting married or entering into a serious relationship: financial independence is a benefit to a relationship, not a sign of weakness. You both should have the same access to liquid assets and if there is a business the other spouse runs, ask them to explain it to you. Often, spouses naturally gravitate toward responsibilities they enjoy, whether it be providing financially or caring for children. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't have a conversation with your significant other about their roles and responsibilities that may not be in your "wheelhouse".
How much will my case cost?
While every case is different, and most lawyers will not attempt to provide an estimate, M&S believes that it is important that people have a full grasp of the divorce process from the beginning, including what it could likely cost. At M&S our billing practices are different than all other firms: tasks such as discovery or correspondence are billed at a lower rate than court appearances. Clients are part of the cost benefit analysis at each step of their dissolution process and are the ultimate decision makers in how expensive (or cost efficient) their case can be.
What can I do to limit the cost of my case?
Be organized and responsive: often clients will send important documents (such as credit card statements, bank statements, emails between the parties) in piecemeal fashion that takes up more billable time to analyze than if the documents are all provided at once with a simple, bullet point style explanation.