Lieutenant Robinson, U.S. Navy Flight Instructor, 1992

All Rights Reserved. Copyright 1999 by Ronald Robinson.

Myths, Legends and Half-Truths (or things you better speak about with a full-time divorce attorney)

1. I'm married, have a couple of kids, and own a home.  I'd like to avoid court, divorce my wife in the next month, and do it for less than $1,000.  I know this is possible because I saw a lawyer's advertisement on the internet.

2. The law says our marital property must be split 50/50.

3. I've been sleeping in a separate bedroom, so I'm already "legally" separated from my wife.

4. I won't need to pay spousal support because my wife can work.

5. The spousal support I pay will only last for 50% of the length of our marriage.

6. I'm entitled to a 50/50 split of custody or time with my children.

7. Big law firms or "top ten list" lawyers are better than small law firms or solo attorneys.

8. My wife needs to account for how she spends the support I give her.

9. The judge won't order the marital home to be sold because I have children and they need a place to live.

10. We've only been married for a couple of years, so my wife won't get a portion of my retirement.

11. I'm not turning over any financial records unless ordered by a judge.

12. My husband committed adultery, so I get the house.

13. Neither of us has any "fault grounds" so this case will be required to settle out of court.

14. Child support is just a formula, so there is no reason to go to court or argue about the amount.

15. I don't need a vocational expert at trial, I can testify to what my unemployed wife should be earning.

16. The judge will order my husband to abstain from drinking alcohol and to make sure our children eat their vegetables, do their homework, and wear a helmet when riding their bikes.

17. My attorney fees will be ordered to be paid by my spouse.

18. If I sign a settlement agreement that my spouse drafted, we can always go to court and change it later.

19. The attorneys want us to go to trial so they can make more money.

20. The attorneys want us to settle so they don't have to work hard and prepare for trial.

21. The judge will hear my story and fix everything in her court order.

22. I can save a bunch of money by borrowing a friend's marital settlement agreement and just making a few changes without a lawyer.

23. I have just one quick question.

Last updated: 11/25/2009

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