Juggling Work-Life Balance and a Divorce

Hi all, Happy Thursday. I am very excited today, because, as of yesterday afternoon, I am officially done with law school classes! Next stop, graduation!

This week I want to start a new two-part series: juggling work-life balance and dealing with a legal claim. This week, I want to address juggling work-life balance during and after a divorce proceeding.

1. Let your supervisor know what is going on. Divorces are stressful and very likely to impact many aspects of your life. You don’t have to share every intimate detail, but this way your supervisor will know if you need to take some time away or reduce your workload temporarily.

2. Use a work project as a distraction. Obviously, this will depend on your job and what’s best for you. But, getting involved in a project or assignment at work can help keep your mind off of the stressful life change you are going through and allow you to let your mind drift elsewhere for a bit.

3. Think about your work schedule post-divorce. Especially when children are involved and you are likely going to have a time-sharing agreement, you may want to consider shifting your work schedule (if possible) so that you are working more when the children are not with you and less when they are. It will depend on your job, but taking this into consideration can help maximize time with your children and alleviate some work stress.

4. Don’t forget to practice self-care. This is important in all aspects of life, especially when you are juggling a career and a divorce. You could go on a run before work, take a walk on your lunch break, or take a short vacation to get a change of scenery and a renewed mindset. No matter what you do, you have to remember to put yourself first.

I hope you all found this work-life balance post helpful. While it certainly is a juggling act, it is not one that is impossible to achieve. Remember, it is okay to ask for help, and don’t hesitate to contact our office whenever you have questions or concerns about a divorce or anything else related to your legal claim.

Sources: 

https://www.divorceingoodcompany.com/post/the-divorce-work-balancing-act-best-strategies-for-the-workplace 

https://www.rpslawfirm.com/blog/2021/03/tips-for-juggling-your-career-and-your-divorce/ 

https://www.ryanryanfamilylaw.com/blog/2022/06/how-do-you-balance-work-and-your-children-after-divorce/ 

https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-deal-with-divorce-at-work

***The thoughts, ideas, and information in this blog do not serve as legal advice of any form. Should you have any questions or legal concerns, please contact our office to set up a free consultation.

What Not to Do at Your Deposition

Hi all, Happy Thursday! Welcome to our second week of “What not to do.” This week I want to dive into the world of depositions for some quick tips on what you should not be doing at your deposition.

First, a refresher on what a deposition is. A deposition is, “a sworn, out-of-court testimony given by a witness in a civil lawsuit. At a deposition hearing, lawyers will direct a series of questions toward the witness. The witness will respond to each of the questions, and the responses will be transcribed into writing.”

So, what shouldn’t you do at a deposition?

Do not lie. As the definition above explains, you are under oath when giving a deposition. You must tell the truth. Depositions can be used in court proceedings and not only will lying harm your case, but it could also have other consequences for you. Be truthful, even if it may make you look bad.

Do not forget to ask for breaks. Depositions can take a long time and you are absolutely allowed to ask for a break. Whether you need to eat, use the restroom, or just go outside for fresh air, you are more than allowed to do so. This will help the deposition run smoothly and avoid extra stress on what is already likely a very long day.

Do not forget to review any necessary documents. If your attorney gives you documents to look at before a deposition, actually look at them. They would not just give you documents for no reason, and this way if you have any confusion about documents that may come up, you can ask your attorney to explain or clarify before the actual deposition starts.

Do not guess or speculate. You are not getting graded or being given points for every question that you answer. It is always best to say “I don’t know,” or, “I cannot answer that” instead of guessing on a response because you think that is what the attorney wants to hear. I don’t know will not get you in trouble, but lying most definitely will. Finally, remember that silence is okay! Once you answer the question, do not feel you need to explain to fill the silence.

I hope you all have found these tips on what not to do at your deposition helpful. It is okay to be confused and stressed during these times but remember you can always ask your attorney for advice or clarity and make sure to listen to what they have to say. They really do have your best interests at heart and want to see your case succeed. By avoiding the above tips, you are better helping yourself to have the most successful deposition you can.

Sources: 

https://valientemott.com/legal-terminology/what-is-deposition/ 

https://knutsoncasey.com/10-things-not-to-do-in-a-deposition/

*The thoughts and information in this blog do not constitute legal advice of any form. Please contact our office with any legal questions or concerns

What Not to Do at Your Mediation

Hi everyone! Happy April! Today I want to shift gears and provide some “what not to do’s” when it comes to parts of the legal process that you may be involved in with your case. Mediation is a key part of many legal cases, and I want to shed some light on what not to do at your mediation.

As a refresher, mediation is, “a process wherein the parties meet with a mutually selected impartial and neutral person who assists them in the negotiation of their differences.”

So, what shouldn’t you do at a mediation?

Don’t be disrespectful. This should be common sense, but it still needs to be said. The point of mediation is an attempt to find some common ground between you and the other party. Even if you disagree about some things, you need to be civil and respectful. The mediator also deserves your respect. Acting rude or argumentative with them will only make them not want to work with you or cause the mediation to fail.

Don’t ignore the interests of the other side. This goes hand in hand with not being disrespectful. Mediation is an attempt at a compromise. If you are unwilling to listen to the other side, how can you expect them to listen to what you want? You may have strong feelings or disagree with what they are saying, but it is still beneficial to hear them out to see if any common ground can be found.

Don’t use your children as leverage. This really applies to divorce mediation, but it should go without saying that your children should NEVER be a bargaining chip to get what you want or to punish your spouse somehow. You need to have your children’s best interests at heart and using them to your advantage not only makes you look bad but will also lead to further conflict in what is already a stressful time.

Don’t come to mediation unprepared. The mediator will require you to bring documents about work, income, assets and liabilities, and information regarding your family/children. If you do not come adequately prepared, they will not be able to see the full picture of what is going on in your case, and trying to start negotiations to find a compromise without this full picture will be difficult and likely end up not solving the issues mediation was meant for.

I hope you all have found these tips on what not to do at your mediation helpful. Remember you can always ask your attorney for advice or clarity and make sure to listen to what they have to say. Mediation will go much smoother if you remember these tips and be cooperative with your attorney. They really do have your best interests at heart and want to see your case succeed. By avoiding the above tips, you are better at helping yourself to have the most successful mediation that you can.

Sources: 

https://www.jamsadr.com/mediation-defined/ https://www.btmediation.com/mediation-tips-for-clients/ https://sfsattorneys.com/what-not-to-do-divorce-mediation/

*The thoughts and information in this blog do not constitute legal advice of any form. Please contact our office with any legal questions or concerns.