Practicing within the Family Law specialty has led to some very entertaining conversations over the years. Some of my favorites have included the puzzled faced-fellow guests at weddings (or better yet, some of the guests at my own wedding) when they ask what I do for a living and my Wife says, “He makes divorce dreams come true.” I also often hear questions from friends about what would happen in *insert legal situation here*, and many of those questions I remain able to answer.
Recently, as we find ourselves in America’s favorite season (Football, not Fall), many of those questions have zeroed in on everyone’s favorite fountain of youth dwelling Quarterback, Tom Brady, and his conscious decoupling from Entrepreneur/Fashion Mogul Gisele Bündchen – that most common question, “What would you tell Tom Brady?” I think it’s better rephrased as “What should Tom Brady do?”
The answers are fairly common, regardless of whether the parties involved are Joe and Jane, or Tom and Gisele. Here are a few of them:
- Maintain a Support Network – Divorce can be emotionally draining. Circle the wagons: your friends, your family, and enlist a counselor or therapist as well. Your Support Network will help you stay strong and grounded through this process. A big caveat here is your children. Although your children are your family, and are often shared with the other party in this, remember, they’re not pawns and must not be used as such. With very limited exception, they should not be involved.
- Don’t shy from compromise, but be prepared for litigation – Not every issue has to go before a Judge. Plenty of parties find the resolution of their cases through mediation, or through discussions between attorneys. Operating in this fashion frequently saves parties much financially and also emotionally; however, not every case is so fortunate and many have to find resolution through the engagement of the litigation process. Do not fear that process, respect it.
- This too shall pass – Whether it be through seeking a mutually consented finalization after 90 days (Pennsylvania specific), or, as many days as it takes, you will come out on the other side of this process.
Every case is different, but there will be an end to the tunnel, and a competent attorney, whether we’re providing advice through the mediation process or zealously advocating for you in court, is a necessity.
