YOU HAVE QUESTIONS…

I HAVE ANSWERS

THE NEXT RIGHT DECISION

"NOBODY CARES HOW MUCH YOU KNOW

UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE"

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WHAT IF HE RETURNED YOUR PHONE CALLS?

THIS ISN'T WHAT I DO, IT'S WHO I AM

 MAKE THE NEXT RIGHT DECISION

I’m Jon Spetalnick, a Family Law Attorney, and my legal practice is devoted to issues associated with divorce.  When facing a family law issue, it's the most important issue in your life. Many people are overwhelmed with emotion, fear, uncertainty and anxiety.  Some people have the attitude of “I want this over with as soon as possible,” and others do their best impression of an ostrich, preferring to bury their head in the sand. Some people simply want a divorce, while others really need one; and then some people just want to know their rights. For some clients, they believe their life is over, while others feel their lives are just beginning again.

MY APPROACH TO DIVORCE

Family Law Attorneys wear many hats while representing a client. At one time or another I'm a financial advisor, divorce counselor, cheerleader, accountant, psychologist, sounding board, best friend, father figure, law enforcement, and attorney all rolled up in one. The work can be emotionally draining, and most attorneys want nothing to do with it, but same Lawyers truly feel this is what makes the practice of law worthwhile.

Not all marriages break up because of abuse issues; however, in marriages where abuse has existed, it comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes abuse has lasted years, and had disastrous effects; in other instances abuse has been an intermittent occurrence. Sometimes abuse is emotional, other times it’s physical or financial in nature. Regardless how abuse manifests, once identified it must be treated as a cancer.  While I can’t make a person do or not do something; I’m expert at forcing an abuser to face the consequences.  I'm not going to be idle while your spouse is abusive.

My approach is to insist on integrity, honesty and accountability. My tactics are guided by the principle belief that we must be prepared to make the “next right decision” throughout your case.   I bring reasoned results to family law issues by being prepared and by properly weighing your case. We are the Good Guys, and I insist that your legal matters be handled in a manner that any judge, jury or observer will view our positions favorably, and as having been furthered in good faith.  Your presentation throughout will be fair, reasonable, and appropriately, and will be grounded based upon all the facts and circumstances. We accomplish goals using logic, reason and integrity, and in doing this we hold the other side to the same standard.  We get great results because we are knowledgeable and prepared throughout the Legal Divorce.

It's easy opposing sides to “Lawyer Up” and tie knots, as they become ever more entrenched in their positions; however, this is an expensive and wasteful approach to begin with.  The key to achieving great results is understanding the facts, circumstances, strengths and weaknesses of both sides; using knowledge and experience to steer the legal process and mold perceptions;  identifying the needs of the opposing party; and then where necessary, educating both sides to so that a mutually livable resolution can be developed.  By using a reasoned approach, in most instances a case can be resolved with minimal collateral damage. You can kill a fly with a sledge hammer or a fly swatter; a sledge hammer is just as effective, but the fly swatter is so much more efficient (and it helps to have the sledge hammer within the plain view of the fly).

My major concerns from Day 1 are your physical safety, emotional health and financial security. As you become more involved and vested in the Legal Divorce process, we are better able to develop a plan, identify a strategy, and  employ tactics designed to move your cause forward effectively and efficiently. Together, you and I focus on getting you divorced properly. By “properly” I mean that we make certain to address all of the relevant issues.

Experts claim there are five stages of grief in a divorce, and that you must experience all five stages to be well and to heal. These stages include Denial, Anger/Resentment, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance; and not everyone goes through these stages in the same order.  This is when you need to recognize that your Legal Divorce is wholly unrelated to your Emotional Divorce, and these are 2 very different processes. Unfortunately, our legal system expects you to be at your best at the very moment you may be at your lowest.  You are dealing with foundational change in your life, and are required to make major decisions, at the same time your emotional divorce may be best served by delaying action.  Without being well prepared, the results can be driven by how you feel rather than your best interests.  Helping you through the Legal Divorce, we make a difference.

INITIAL CONSULTATION

This is meeting is specifically designed to allow you and I to explore how we might work together to handle your legal issues.  I listen as you describe your present situation, and then I address how the law would most likely apply to the facts, as you described them, giving you an opportunity to ask questions.  I’m looking for a synergy, an indication that we would be a good fit to accomplish your goals.  At this initial meeting, I want you to get an idea of who I am, and understand my passion for this work.

At the initial consultation we begin to identify and develop a theme for your case. We also set out how you are going to work with us to identify, set and meet your goals. Together we develop a vision, and even begin to draft the actual language that will later be included in a Settlement Agreement or the Final Order Of Divorce. Together we determine the intended path and develop a defined plan, and we make the Next Right Decisions on the way to meeting your goals.  Your goals are best accomplished by involving you in your own legal representation; this has the added benefit of ensuring that you are knowledgeable about the process, the evidence and the legal arguments being made.  You also help to reduce your legal fees.

By the time we conclude the initial consultation, I hope to accomplish 4 tasks: 1> Establish physical and emotional safety, 2> Promote stability and balance in your life, 3> Begin to Identify and Understand your Financial Picture, 4> Begin to Preserve Evidence.

When the stakes are this high, you need to be prepared, and that means you need guidance and support. We do this day to day, while hopefully you face this once.  In our present day society, so many people have been divorced that people usually comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and advice from friends, family, prior experience and what they have seen in other situations.  Generally the client believes that much of this should apply to their case.  The initial consultation is a great opportunity for us to make certain that you begin to understand that your case is unlike any other case, and that the facts and circumstances of your case are going to drive the results in your case.