I'm Scared to Go to a Divorce Lawyer's Office.

The pic has nothing to do with family law.  I just thought
it looked peaceful.
In my years of practice, I have experienced more than a few "no-shows;" people who schedule appointments and then do not come in at the scheduled time.  Sometimes I do not hear anything from them.  Sometimes they call back to reschedule and say they were just too scared to actually come into the office.

Most people who hire a family law attorney are hiring an attorney for the first time.  It is a new experience and adds even more stress to an already stressful situation.
 The stress on a person going through a divorce is ranked at 92 on a scale of 100 according to the United States Mental Health Association publication "Divorce Support." (Cathy Meyer, editor).  Only the death of a spouse or child, ranked at 98, is more severe.  It is pretty apparent to see why this would be the case.  When a divorce is filed, a person's life is turned upside down.  They are staring into a great unknown about what will happen to them, to their children, to their finances.

There is nothing wrong with bringing a trusted family member or friend to accompany you to your appointment.  They can help you by preparing information your attorney may need and by taking notes during the meeting.  The attorney should make every effort to make you feel at ease during the meeting and answer any questions that you may have.  The attorney should give you a sense of relief by helping you to begin to understand the process and what to expect.  If the attorney only adds to your stress, you should probably keep looking and hire a different attorney.  I actually had someone hire me a few years ago after meeting with another attorney who made her cry during the initial consultation.  Definitely NOT a good first impression.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact the Alford Law Office.

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