From the Book: Divorce Amicably
This is a chapter summary from Chapter 6 of Divorce Amicably, a guide to navigating separation with dignity and cooperation.
Chapter 19 Author: Tracy Ann Moore-Grant
Kathleen Shack, M.S., LMFT, has been in practice for over 21 years. She is an experienced Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Couples Therapist, Certified Discernment Counselor, Divorce Coach, Co-Parenting counselor, and Mediator. She helps individuals, couples, and families minimize the negative and find lasting solutions that work for their family. Kathleen helps people find inner strength and gives them tools which they can use to navigate their world. Using the Gottman Method, Kathleen guides couples on how to build and maintain healthy relationships. Discernment Counseling helps couples on the brink of divorce to gain clarity and confidence about the direction of their relationship.
Chapter 19: Hiring a Divorce Attorney
Many couples seeking an amicable divorce make a critical mistake: they try to avoid attorneys altogether, thinking lawyers only escalate conflict. In this eye-opening chapter, Tracy Ann Moore-Grant reveals why this well-intentioned approach often backfires, leading to invalid agreements, court rejections, and ultimately higher costs and conflict. She exposes the harsh truth about the divorce attorney industry—that many lawyers profit from prolonging conflict—while showing how to identify and hire resolution-focused attorneys who actually reduce costs and tension.
Through a devastating real-world example, Moore-Grant demonstrates how the wrong attorney can turn a simple insurance misunderstanding into an $8,450 legal battle spanning five months, while the right attorney resolves the same issue for $400 in days. She provides insider knowledge on what questions to ask, red flags to avoid, and how to prepare for consultations to ensure you hire an attorney aligned with your values and budget. Most importantly, this chapter reveals why the Amicable Divorce Network's unique vetting process—screening for experience, resolution focus, AND fair billing practices—offers protection from attorneys who weaponize your anger for their profit.
Key Takeaways
Who Should Read This Chapter
This chapter is absolutely essential for anyone considering divorce who wants professional legal protection without sacrificing their values of peace and cooperation. It's particularly crucial for those who've heard horror stories about aggressive attorneys and wonder if there's an alternative, or those tempted to go without legal representation to avoid conflict.
Perfect for individuals who value resolution over revenge but worry about being taken advantage of without strong legal advocacy. Whether you're interviewing attorneys and sensing something's off, trying to understand why quotes vary wildly between lawyers, or struggling to articulate what kind of representation you actually want, Moore-Grant provides the framework and language you need. This chapter speaks directly to those who want their attorney to be a problem-solver, not a problem-creator.
Get your copy of "Divorce Amicably" today and learn how to hire an attorney who protects your interests without destroying your family's future—because the lawyer you choose determines whether your divorce costs $400 or $8,450 for the same outcome.
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