“I Deserve a T-Shirt”
I deserve a trophy, a medal, or at the very least, a t-shirt after making the difficult decision to legally separate from my spouse during a pandemic. As if life wasn’t crazy and lonely enough…my “I do” had become an “I don’t” after being married for almost half of my life. I had spent several years attempting to portray a blissful marriage when really my relationship had become a very unhealthy and abusive situation. I hired a Family Law Attorney to do what had to be done…the best investment I’ve ever made in my peace and the well-being of my children, especially after years of sweeping the relationship and substance abuse problems of my spouse under the rug.
As a wife and a mother of a very active household, I’ve always been the planner. I thrive on strategy, alignment, timelines, and checklists…and it was SO painful to temporarily abandon those norms as I learned to focus minute by minute just to get through the day, or if I could on a good day – hour by hour. Luckily, my attorney was able to fill in the gaps and literally serve as the brains behind the operation as I grieved the end of a relationship and admittedly feared my future.
My attorney listened to me with intense interest, let me cry when I needed to and coached me through the most difficult times all while formulating a strategy to gain our desired outcomes related to equitable distribution, child support and custody. She was always honest with me (even when the truth hurt) and repeated things a million times as lack of proper nutrition, lack of sleep and grief got in the way of my memory from time to time. I may have felt that I had no control of my circumstances, but my attorney ensured focus and direction of the separation at all times. She accelerated the process when I felt confident and pumped the brakes when things were overwhelming. As you go through this same process and experience these same emotions, please remind yourself that the discouraging and overwhelming times are temporary. They don’t last forever. You’ll tell a different story soon; one of healing, success, health, happiness and great joy. Your new normal will require new levels of strategy, alignment, timelines, and checklists. No matter how hard it is, trust your attorney to guide you through the process. You deserve this. Your attorney is determined to help you get what you deserve.
Personal Recommendation:
If you have decided that legal separation is the best option for the peace and well being of yourself (and your children), find the right Family Law Attorney. Ask a trusted friend for a direct referral, research attorneys and their areas of expertise or professional accomplishments, seek an attorney who represents a firm with an objective that matches yours, attend at least one consultation…and embrace the journey with a positive, growth mindset. I personally recommend Attorney Theresa Viera of Modern Legal. Her work on my case and favorable outcomes deserve a trophy, a medal, or at the very least, a t-shirt.
– Anonymous Client
“Through the Client’s Eye” blog series stems from the desire of Modern Legal clients to share information to those who have yet to endure a family law matter. Each client’s story is exquisitely unique; however, there are many times when a client will say at the end of the case, “I wish I had known…” This blog series focuses on filling that gap as a means to help anyone who is about to start or is in the midst of a family law dispute. The comments contained in each blog reflect the feelings and viewpoint of the respective client. All identifying information has been withheld to protect said client’s identity as well as any related legal matter.
