The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth – Why Being Honest With Your Family Law Attorney Is Important For Your Case

When somebody starts a divorce or custody case, there is often a significant level of conflict with the opposing party. Whether the opposing party is your spouse, the parent of your children, or both, there is usually a lot of history – both good and bad – which has brought you to the point of going to Court. Hiring an experienced family law attorney to help guide you through this process is extremely important. Equally important, however, is the ability to be honest with your attorney about the history of your case.

When a client meets with their attorney for the first time, the client usually has a lot of information that they want the attorney to know. In divorce cases, this may include information about property that the parties own, the circumstances which caused the client to seek a divorce and other important details. In custody cases, the client may wish to provide information about their history of parenting the children, the involvement (or lack of involvement) of the other parent and what issues the parties have conflict about. By providing this information, the attorney gains important insight about the background of the case and can form a strategic approach to obtaining the desired outcome for the client.

While knowing the strengths of any case is critically important for an attorney, it is also important that the attorney understand any potential weaknesses or challenges in the client’s case. An often overlooked and equally challenging part of any case is for the client to recognize any past wrongdoings or contributions to the current conflict. Similarly, it is incumbent on the attorney to ask the client about these topics. It is extremely important that the client provide the attorney with all information that is relevant to their case – both good and bad – so the attorney can formulate an effective case strategy.

The role of an attorney is to advocate for and protect the client’s interests. This is especially true in family law where issues like property division and custody are at stake. By having open, honest and transparent dialogue with your family law attorney, your attorney can both capitalize on the strengths of your case and protect you from potential exposure.

For any family law dispute, it is extremely important that you have a knowledgeable and experienced attorney in your corner. Robert Greenberg, Esq. and the Greenberg Legal Group can guide you through this process and find the best outcome for your specific circumstances. Our firm is located in Annapolis, Maryland and practices in Courts throughout the State of Maryland. Please contact our office at (410) 650-4242 for further assistance.