Newly solo , however I’ve been licensed for 3 years. My former job was clerking for a judge and that was my first law job. So while I know the law really well, I’m struggling with practical matters like when to begin settlement negotiations for a dissolution with minimal assets or how to even find out what the assets are. I’m having my client fill out a financial disclosure our state requires to be exchanged eventually but concerned that’s too much up front for what should be a simple divorce.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

It matters depending on what state you are in. I’m in California and we do not negotiate until both parties have completed and exchanged full preliminary financial disclosures. How else would you know exactly what both parties have? Regardless of whether their disclosures show 2 banks accounts and one car or 10 properties and 3 businesses, you want some type of full disclosures to see what property issues need to be addressed

likesmart

We also do this in MA. Your state may mandate that you can only settle once financial disclosures are made (that’s the bare minimum here in MA - you must at least exchange a financial statement). You can waive additional discovery that’s generally mandated in a contested divorce.

I litigate in a different state and do contested divorces with minimal assets. Would demand opposing party fill out financial disclosure form and turn over bank and cc statements from past 3-4 years. I do depositions if they make $$ off the books.

like

Which state?

How can you divide a pie without knowing what the entire pie is? Full disclosure on everything then settlement. We do an affidavit of financial information, uniform interrogatories and request for production. Unless parties agree and know everything.

Depends what client you have. A financial disclosure is bare minimum.

like

Related Posts

How do I jump ship from FP&A? My dream job used to be education or something more creative and I want to make that switch.

like

Hi all, has anyone temporarily transferred to the Canadian office of their firm and done the Canadian PR application while they were there on work visa?

like

Hi fishes, what's the fixed range for B30 Engineer 2?

Hi,

Can someone tell me how many days does it take for the laptop to get delivered post the Laptop Delivery email?

Reason: i need to book a flight to my hometown and the prices are high af

like

Hello! Will be receiving a $400 stipend from my new org for office setup. I currently have a 15” 2015 Pro, my husband has a Lenovo, I’ll be provided with a work laptop, we have a used office desk.

Any recommendations on what I should use the stipend for? Hubby was suggesting a printer because we don’t currently have one, but I feel like I don’t really print that much anymore and I’ll be working remotely.

like

We should make a shareable version of those templated AICP Awards Judge Portraits, but for people in furlough.

It will be an exciting series of job seeking announcements.

likesmartfunny

Since joining KPMG 5 years ago, I find that my appetite to read for my own growth is almost flatlined. Has anybody else experienced that? I attribute it to how much mental energy our work demands and how much reading I do during a business day.

like

What advice do you have for building a MAKERS Club?

like

Does TCS employees get any special discount in Croma stores?

like

What is a fair pay rate for PO's? With 1 YOE

I am just shy of $70k right now annually would be curious how others feel and what an appropriate amount might be? I know I am getting underpaid/feel undervalued but by how much?

like

How much should I expect as a L4 CSA at Microsoft, living in Texas? Want to know if I’m being made a fair offer.

like

Can you guys advise me if a salary of 150 K CAD before tax is good for a 3 member family? It is in Quebec and we will be shifting from India to Canada with that.

like

Those of you with 50%+ of your comp in bonus, do you factor that in when budgeting living expenses? Obviously we expect it but bonuses are never guaranteed.

like

looking for a Salesforce developer job role. i have overall 2.5 years of experience and 1.5 years in Salesforce development experience.

like

If you were in a private company assistant controller position being offered $10k more to switch over to public and much better PTO days and fully remote as opposed to an in office position that I’m currently at in a Real estate growing company. Would u do the switch back to public (left public just recently)?

like

When you finally got your CPA license how much has your salary jumped ?

like

Hi Everyone,
Im looking for a switch ,
I have 2 years of experience
Having good problem solving skills using java
And my current pacakge is 5.5CTC
So , How much I can expect from switching...
Please Help me

like

If your client hired a life coach/consultant to help them through a family law matter, what would you want them to focus on and what’s hands off?

like

Might move from agency to a premium car brand. New position is contract, not W2. Currently making 64k , bonus, 401k, health insurance, 15 days PTO. What $$ ask would be reasonable to recoup benefits?

Additional Posts in Family Law

If your client hired a life coach/consultant to help them through a family law matter, what would you want them to focus on and what’s hands off?

like

Can we talk about Rates?
What is your:
1) hourly rate
2) years of practice
3) size firm
4) state

My answers:
1) $350/hr
2) 5 years
3) solo practitioner
4) New York

like

What’s a good starting salary for a newer attorney? I’ve never worked anywhere but in the public sector (even before becoming an attorney). I currently clerk for a judge and now am up to $44k as of July 1. I’m in KY. I’ve recently had a couple attorneys reach out to me about joining their practice. I’m not ready to leave my current role but I have no idea what to consider as a reasonable salary. I’ve been licensed a year and this is my first law-related job so I’m a complete newbie.

like

Any hiring tips? I’m the associate at a two attorney firm and my boss apparently wants to hire and is giving me free reign over the process.

like

In OAH the NCP has submitted no actual earnings only hand written sched c (Uber). NCP lied under oath about how pmt for the car was made. Said a friend paid for it and he is paying a friend back. I have bank evidence that shows every car pmt came from NCP Bank and only deposits were from Uber. Problem is the car was paid off in 2018 and the CSO was from 2018. CP asked 4 mod and it was brought up to ? his credibility. How do I get it in since its not about $ now? Judge granted 1wk 4 adtl exhibits

like
like

Let's talk unhinged pro se opposing parties. We have one that emails the entire firm every few days with these SCREEDS that are like weird stream of consciousness accusations of baseless criminal and unethical conduct. So far there have been 2 emails already today. A GAL has been appointed and ordered to do a psych eval on this party, but is there any sense in responding in the mean time? Everything we say seems to get twisted.

like
like

I’m a second year associate at a small, but reputable firm. My caseload is almost entirely made up of clients who were referred to one of the partners but the partners are too busy so I end up taking the case. The clients are told up front that an associate, rather than a partner will be taking his/her case. I’ve run into an issue a couple of times where the client doubts my advice because I am only 2 years in. Has anyone else experienced this? How do I address the fact that I’m only 2 years in?

like

Pivoting from five years of insurance defense litigation at a mid-size firm to family law in a small/boutique firm (3 partners and about 4 associates). What do you wish you knew when you first entered the field? Any advice is appreciated! So excited for this leap of faith into what I truly believe is my calling.

like

My client wants both parties to list assets & liabilities as an exhibit to their prenup without values, but waive the right to know the actual valuation of those in the prenup itself. My initial thought is this is a terrible idea & would probably make the prenup easily voidable since a main requirement for a prenup is for both to understand the nature and value of the other’s assets. I will research in my jurisdiction to confirm, but has anyone ever heard of/done this? Thoughts?

like

I’m posting this here instead of my usual Big Law bowl because I’m guessing there are people here who will understand. I just need to vent. I am married to a wonderful man who has a young son. My husband is the kindest, most patient and supportive man I’ve ever met other than my dear late grandfather. He is saintly. But the chaos that surrounds him hurts me. I am the primary breadwinner and far out earn my husband and my stepson’s bio mom. I have always put pressure on myself to succeed (Cont.)

like

Working on a divorce where the father is claiming that he is unemployed because of the previous administration’s actions with DACA (he was brought to the States as a child). I know that the memo rescinding DACA was ultimately vacated—but OC is unsure whether this would count as voluntary unemployment for child support purposes. I believe it does as the application period to renew DACA benefits was reopened in 2020. Thoughts?

like

Looking for some advice on how to find a really good attorney to deal with custody. I live in the Orlando, Florida area and truthfully don’t know where to begin. Most Google searches turn up thousands of attorneys. Is there a vetted website to find honest reviews?

like

How many people are back in the office vs. WFH? What area and how many employees? Are you seeing clients, doing in person mediations, depos, etc?

like

Lawyers who draft prenups - are you interested in referrals? If so DM me your email and name and I will reach out. I’m not trying to sell you anything don’t worry - just need attorneys to refer to.

like

Does your firm regularly adjust rates? I read an article suggesting it should happen annually. Curious how regularly firms adjust attorney rates.

like

What days does your firm close for the holidays? Are you all working on January 2nd?

(I don't want to be a task master, but as an associate, I was expected to work a half day on the 24th, and a half day on the 31st. I'm closing the office 23rd and 26th this year, but currently listed as open on Jan. 2nd).

like

I just got my client divorced from a truly horrible person who abused her and her children and she got everything she wanted and the kids are doing great and only one hasn't been successfully discharged from therapy and I'm just so proud of her and feel so lucky that I got to do a little to help her along the way

likeuplifting

Has anyone taken the CDFA exam? Is it difficult? How much time did you devote to studying in order to pass?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal