Divorce Help

Early Intervention and Financial Advisors

June 25, 2017 by Chief Navigator

The right solution is often a simple one.

If you believe that solving financial problems – or avoiding them – has to be a complicated and mysterious endeavor you could miss the best answer, which may mean the right advisor for your situation and life or business goals.

I believe that finding the right financial advisor early in life, early in a marriage, before starting a business, and early in the process of resolving conflict between family members is priceless.

Any time you are emotionally charged, under pressure to make big decisions, facing uncertainty or a major disappointment, you are served well to already have trust established with a solid, loyal and talented financial advisor.

Do I have recommendations? Of course I do!

My perspective comes, in part, from the study of hundreds of cases or situations presented to me through this website, and from experience in financial services where I worked directly with advisors and money managers across the United States. Wisdom also comes from learning firsthand that not all financial advisors will give you all of the information or insight you need to make smart decisions.

During research of actual cases, I’ve noted how some financial experts make analyzing and planning more convoluted and expensive than the situation calls for, but emotionally charged parties aren’t in a position to recognize that value is lacking, or that key information is even being withheld. By the time someone realizes that they weren’t served well by the expert they were guided to use, it’s too late; the damage is done. Yes, I can show you what that looks like on paper and how it translates into bigger trouble in life. While I can help illustrate problems you want to avoid, the financial professionals I know and trust are the best at showing you what your best options are and then empowering you to act on them.

Early intervention is the way to go.

Make time before a crisis arises to interview and get to know advisors, and learn what value-added looks and feels like when working with a financial advisor. If you feel uncertain about a professional relationship and need to consult with someone else, let me know.

Coming soon: the next series of eye-opening interviews is under development, so please get in touch if you have suggestions for topics or would like to contribute as an expert or to simply tell a story that can help others reach better financial outcomes.

Above all, preserve your time and financial resources for the benefit of your family.

Filed Under: Be Your Own Best Advocate, Divorce Help, Early Prevention, Evolving Solutions: Family Law, Financial Advisors and Resources, Financial Matters, Pro Advocate Radio, Solutions-Based Journalism Tagged With: CDFA, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Collaborative Law, Family Law Financial Advisors, Financial Guidance, Resolve Conflict

Our Wish is for Children to Be Cared for by Safe, Loving Parents

December 24, 2016 by Chief Navigator

These simple wishes this holiday season remain our top priority:

Return children who have been removed from parents they love and need. Prevent children from being sent out of state and isolated for the purpose of silencing them.

Restore relationships between children and parents when they are separated for all the wrong reasons, and even cut off from all communication.

Protect children who are being abused, including emotionally abused when safe, loving parents are threatened with the loss of their children.

Protect the rights of parents asking court professionals to ensure they stay in the lives of their children. When the opportunity presents, help them recover from trauma and loss associated with these avoidable problems.

Show some courage and help grant them their wishes!

Filed Under: Alienation of Parents & Children, Child Abuse Response & Prevention, Child Custody, Divorce Help, Evolving Solutions: Family Law, Kids Need Their Parents, On Behalf of Children, Pro Advocate Radio, Professional Spotlight, Social Media Impact, Where Are My Parents? Tagged With: best of both parents, Mental Health, My Advocate Center, Needs of Children, Parents and Children, Pro Advocate Radio, Protect Children

Social Media on Divorce Corp.

January 24, 2014 by Chief Navigator

Sometimes people just make sense, including bloggers!

Diana Mercer, co-author of Divorce Works, shared this perfect example on HuffPost: Link to full article here.

“You don’t have to opt into the litigation system. You don’t have to roll the dice on the judge you’re assigned to, the custody evaluator appointed, and having to pay fees upon fees. You can opt out. And it’s not difficult to opt out. There are lots of choices.

But divorcing people are scared. They’re scared of the future, of the unknown, of the things that their spouse might do.

What most don’t realize is that they really have nothing to fear but fear itself (and maybe litigation lawyers). When a gladiator lawyer says,“I’ll protect you”, the temptation is to believe it. And while I still believe most lawyers really mean that, the truth is that divorce is a business, and lawyers can’t keep their offices open when clients can’t pay. And almost every client runs out of money eventually. Even the wealthy McCourts ended up in bankruptcy after their LA Dodgers-centered divorce fight.”

Another excerpt:

“I finally saw Divorce Corp. Finally. After much banter on Facebook, a barrage of emails, aNew York Times article, and the Huffington Post’s own Paul Raeburn’s review of the film, I finally saw what all the fuss is about.

Finally someone is shaking the snow globe.

Is everything in Divorce Corp. indicative of how litigation works in every case? Of course not. But it does illustrate that when you go to court you take your chances. Are the judges biased? Are they corrupt? Probably not, but you never know. Is your child custody evaluator an extortionist? Probably not, but maybe. And you won’t find out until after the fact.“

Filed Under: Be Your Own Best Advocate, Divorce Corp., Divorce Help, Evolving Solutions: Family Law, Family Court Reform, Family Court Review, News Media Covering Family Court, Parents Rights Tagged With: Diana Mercer, Divorce Corp, Divorce Works, Huffington Post, My Advocate Center, Solutions to Family Court

Atlanta News Radio – Family Court Reform

January 13, 2014 by Chief Navigator

The gavel dropped to open the 2014 Georgia legislative session, right after this brief segment aired.

All News 106.7 and Scott Kimbler reveal what is going on behind the scenes at My Advocate Center regarding Family Court Reform.

Help us serve the real needs of children who are not being protected due to foul play and hidden influence in certain family court cases.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Filed Under: Alienation of Parents & Children, Case Studies & Examples, Child Custody, Divorce Help, Domestic Violence, Evolving Solutions: Family Law, Family Violence, Kids Need Their Parents, Legal & Medical Malpractice, On Behalf of Children, Professional Misconduct Tagged With: Atlanta News, Family Court Reform, Fulton County, Fulton County Superior Court, GAL, Georgia Legislature 2014, Guardian ad litem, Jeff Bogart, My Advocate Center, Susan Hurst

New Series: What Lawyers Say

January 6, 2014 by Chief Navigator

Day One: Lawyer Quote #1

Social Media Rocks. Why? Good lawyers are getting the word out. We are listening.

It is NOT all attorneys and judges involved in wreaking havoc on unsuspecting citizens.

This is anonymous for now, until we have permission to use his name:

“Reforms are definitely needed in [my state]. To establish reforms that benefit the parties will require the participation of family law lawyers who support certain changes, too many which can be listed here. (MAC: we agree) That said, it’s no secret that the family law system is a business. Additionally, it should be generally understood that model does not serve clients well, unless a client gets lucky and hires a highly ethical and competent family law lawyer who is more interested in resolving the divorce as amicably and efficiently as possible, rather than generating the most billable hours. I’ve seen far too many examples of the latter.

I was told by prior employers that I solved cases too quickly, and that by doing so, I cost that employ tens of thousand of dollars that could have been generated from the case (had I not resolved the parties issues so soon). That’s the primary reason I decided to work for myself, so my hands would not be tied, in terms of helping people resolve their divorce without costing so much, and without the unnecessary generation of conflict.

To put out a fire, one should apply water, not gasoline. Many family law lawyers apply gas to increase the fire. The brighter and longer the fire burns, the more money they make. Of course, one who has a conscience (such as myself) finds this approach beyond deplorable.

Again, it’s no secret (at least within the industry) that most family law lawyers don’t bend over backwards to resolve conflict as quickly as possible, whether their reason is to generate more billable hours, or they lack the skill (professional/legal or interpersonal) to help parties resolve conflict in a competent manner. (MAC note: why should this secret be kept from the public?)

Most lawyers are adept at conflict. Also, many get into family law for the wrong reason (because there’s plenty of work and it seems like an easy area of law, and it’s also easy to start a solo practice). Hence, parties are at high risk that once they initiate their divorce process and hire a lawyer, that their problems will escalate.”

* This is just one sample: lawyers all over our country are stepping forward to say they are OVER being labeled along with those who commit fraud, breach fiduciary duty, commit legal malpractice…or who are just plain lazy or greedy, or all of the above.

Keep it coming!

#Courage #ThrowawayClient

What many lawyers – not all – want you to do

Filed Under: Divorce Help, Evolving Solutions: Family Law, Legal & Medical Malpractice, Professional Misconduct Tagged With: Bu$iness of Divorce, Divorce, Family Court, Family Court Reform, Family Court Review, Family Law Institute, Georgia Family Law, Improve Family Law, Legal Malpractice, My Advocate Center, The Throwaway Client

Why Should You Know More about Attorneys?

October 12, 2013 by Chief Navigator Leave a Comment

What should you know before making a decision about your legal counsel and the team coming together around you to help you through a conflict?

Because it is more than just their reputation and promoted success rate that will determine the value you get for your money.

Depending on whether or not they choose to be honest and loyal to you, it will not only impact your finances, your home, your ability to co-parent effectively, but it will also impact your mental health. Most of all, it will impact your children.

Our case studies illustrate how families and children have been affected – harmed – because parents and others in the community were not aware of how to truly vet counsel to ensure a proper outcome.

We are smashing myths because dozens of parents are reporting that what they believed to be true about their attorneys and the highly regarded custody experts they paid, is simply NOT true. The simple answer is that the Value just isn’t there. Value, in our dictionary, has a lot to do with honesty and loyalty.

A big myth being turned upside down is that if you have money or status, that you can buy loyalty and influence. The myth that “mothers always get custody…or good mothers” flew out the window, but so did the one that says, “If a father has any power, owns a big company, or knows the right people” that he will prevail. If it were this simple, My Advocate Center would not be fielding so many calls and emails.

Parents are finding out too late that even after they have sought referrals from local, well-known sources like a non-profit organization that promotes a select few experts, that there was actually no assurance that their interests or their children’s interests would be taken seriously. There currently is no oversight of services and no guarantee of loyalty or honesty even when you accept referrals through most other sources. My Advocate Center is working to change this.

As we work with press, law enforcement and legislators, more case studies and reports will serve to provide clarity to the public about the due diligence needed when hiring professionals – especially those serving family law.

For now, learn as much as you can, work to understand the process and how you can be your own best advocate – in hiring, in preparing and in making informed decisions.

When you are ready to assess your own strengths and weaknesses, and how to best empower yourself to work with the right team, let us know. That is your best starting point.

Filed Under: Be Your Own Best Advocate, Child Custody, Divorce Help, Early Prevention, Evolving Solutions: Family Law, Service Offerings Tagged With: Child Custody, Cobb County Superior Court, Divorce, For Parents, Forsyth Superior Court, Fulton County Superior Court, Hiring an Attorney, Team Building