If you or a family member has ever gone through a situation where you’ve received a significant medical diagnosis then you have likely received the advice to obtain a second opinion. This is an extreme step in the process of determining what course to take, if any at all, regarding a medical situation. The difficult part about your health is that we typically do not know enough about what is in our best interests to be able to make decisions on our own. That’s why doctors are so valuable. With that said, doctors go to school for a long time and practice medicine for a long time for has to be able to put our faith in them to make observations and diagnoses for us.
Many times we wouldn’t even know how to begin to make a decision that could potentially change the trajectory of our lives. Sometimes all we know is that a certain part of our body hurts and that we would do anything it takes to make that part of our body feel better again. Does that take surgery? Physical therapy? A combination of the two? Or simply time to heal? This is what I mean when we talk about getting second opinions in life. While we may not like to take our time to receive a second opinion we must do so to make sure that we are making the correct decision. Even then, we cannot always be sure that the choice we are making is the right one.
What we know is that there are areas of our life that are not only critically important to us but that we don’t possess a lot of first-hand knowledge to make decisions without consulting with another person. You would never seek out a second opinion when it comes to what to eat for lunch tomorrow. Frankly, the decision isn’t that important and we know what kind of food we like better than anybody else. Therefore, the choice of whether to have tacos or pizza isn’t exactly a life-altering one to make. These decisions are also so routine that we don’t give them any second thought. Can we make the decision and move on and the following day sometimes we wouldn’t even be able to remember what we ended up eating the prior day for lunch.
Legal decisions, just like medical decisions, are a bit more important than what we choose to eat on any given day. Legal matters can not only impact our families but also our finances, our relationships, our sense of self, and our overall well-being. When we think about A legal matter like a divorce then there are so many considerations to make regarding what is best for our families that we need to give this decision As much thought as necessary. Sometimes the longer the marriage relationship, whether or not we have children, and a host of other factors will cause us to think long and hard about whether or not to get a divorce. The less we have riding on the marriage means it is less likely that you will spend as much time as another person on the decision.
Where do you start? While you may want to rush into getting a divorce just so that you could get it over with, the fact is that divorce cases are ones where usually the party who collects the most information and goes into the case with a plan tends to do the best. When we act intentionally regarding matters related to divorce then we can have a clear mind and feel good about our decision whichever way we decided to go. If you need to decide on a divorce then you should do so confidently after you have explored all your options and received as much advice as possible on the subject. As it stands, you do not have to go into a divorce blind or without feeling confident of your decision one way or the other.
For that matter, you should know where you can start this process of developing a strategy and acting intentionally to develop not only that confidence of knowing that the decision is right for you but also 2 gain the proper perspective and develop a strong plan when it comes to your divorce. With that said, I would like to spend today discussing with you how important it is to get at least two opinions on your divorce case. This could mean that you need to find multiple attorneys and get their opinion. However, this journey begins with a single consultation with an experienced family law attorney.
Getting a consultation the first time with an attorney
When it comes to a blog post that discusses the topic of second opinions when considering a divorce, we should discuss the subject of getting a first opinion. When I talk to people Mike you about whether or not they should get a divorce it is an intensely personal question. The decision of whether or not to remain married to your spouse is probably the most consequential decision that she will make in your life. It is not an exaggeration to say that whether or not you choose to remain married could influence every facet of your life not only today but tomorrow and for years to come. Ask any successful person and they will tell you that the relationships that they have with friends and family members make all the difference. Additionally, those successful people who are married will invariably credit their spouses for helping them achieve success in their lives.
On the other hand, if he talked to someone less than successful or not happy with their lives then they may invariably tell you that their lack of success is due to their spouse. A quality marriage his Mike having a good diet. What you eat causes you to feel better and make better decisions in your life. On the other hand, when we talk about A good marriage then it is undeniable that the quality of your marriage can influence your life in many ways. Just think about the stress you put your body under every day from being in a bad relationship. That sort of thing can impact you just like a bad diet can.
So when you reach the point where you are considering whether or not to get a divorce then you are probably in a position where you can feel the stress associated with your divorce becoming intolerable. At that point, there are two directions that you can go with things. The first direction is one that I certainly would not advise. That would be to remain in a failing marriage and do nothing about legally ending the relationship. Many people either remain in unhappy relationships moving in the same home or end the relationship by moving from their spouse but do not get divorced.
This was something that I learned about as a young attorney that completely shocked me. There are people now up there who have not gotten divorced for 10 or even 20 years from a spouse though they have not lived with that person throughout the period. They have lived a separate life as a single person despite their being legally married. This makes significant risk not only from the perspective of their liability status but also from an emotional perspective. Recall that in a Community property state like Texas it is not uncommon for a spouse to become responsible or even on the hook for paying debts that were taken out by their spouse. Your income could be in jeopardy if your spouse defaults on a loan. You may not even know but you are supposed to God alone or even did so in your name. This is what I am talking about when I mentioned it is a liability to remain married to someone that you have no relationship with and may not even know where they are.
I have seen one spouse use their partner’s name to take out a loan or to do something else that is less than upstanding and honest. This should PA a frightening situation for anyone who is married but is not in contact with their spouse. You need to be able to trust the person that you were married with to do what is right and put you in harm’s way. When you cannot trust your spouse, do not live with your spouse, and do not know where your spouse is then these are all factors that could play into your being harmed potentially by him or her. When the trust in the marriage is gone then there is no reason to believe that he or she will do what is right. By the same token, you can position yourself to be more clear about the nature of your relationship by at least seeking out a consultation in your divorce scenario.
That is an extreme situation when you do not know where your spouse is living. However, the fact is that you may not be able to control everything that your spouse does. However, you can’t control your actions and you can be as proactive as possible when it comes to limiting exposure, risk, and other negative externalities associated with divorce. Everyone would like to think that their marriage is going to turn around if it is on shaky ground. However, that is not always possible it may be counterproductive in many ways for you. Sometimes you need to hear the truth from someone who not only knows about divorce but can gauge your sentiments about divorce from having spoken to you directly.
Seeking a consultation with the attorneys at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan is a no-commitment situation where you can obtain advice and perspective from one of our attorneys but are not committed to doing anything. Our attorneys will sit down with you and give you perspective and information on divorce cases six days a week. We drive 2 do our best for you and the other people in our community in these consultations. Our lawyers will tell it to you straight and give you this sort of direct advice that is only possible when you work with a group of lawyers who are experienced, knowledgeable and client-focused. While a consultation does not mean that you have signed up to work with our office it is the beginning of that kind of relationship. We can give you perspective and information and from there we can develop what may become an attorney-client relationship.
Why is a second opinion so important in the world of divorce consultations?
I always recommend 2 potential clients of the Law Office of Bryan Fagan that they meet with many attorneys who can provide them with advice and perspective on their divorce. It is important for you not only to receive Information in these consultations but also to determine how you feel from a relationship perspective about the lawyer that you are meeting with. I say this because the nature of a family law case is so personal that you need to feel comfortable with the attorney that you are meeting with. If you are merely trying to obtain information and are not interested in hiring the attorney this step may not be that important period however, I am writing this blog post under the assumption that you are serious about hiring an attorney is in a position where you need to do so. In that case, you should think about how you can improve the likelihood that you’ve selected they’re right attorney for your case by meeting with multiple lawyers.
The fact is that most people do not have a ton of experience when it comes to meeting with lawyers. As a result, he would have no first ten knowledge about what it means to hire a lawyer or even develop A relationship with one. If this sounds like a print exaggeration but then I can assure you that it is not. You should feel confident in the person that you are working with. At the very least, having A strong relationship with your attorney means that you are more likely to willingly share information with him or her. This will only positively impact your case and put you in a position to succeed in both the short and long term.
Even though I believe that the attorneys with the law office of Brian Fagan are the most well qualified to represent you in a divorce, I understand that you may not feel the same way. With that said, I recommend to every person who comes into our office that they should receive an opinion from multiple attorneys before deciding on their divorce. This could be true whether or not you are considering getting a divorce or are trying to plan on which attorney you should hire. The decision to get a divorce is one that you need is much information on before making a final decision.
For that reason, you should think about what path you are going to take in your divorce because the decision of whether or not to hire an attorney for your case is one of the most impactful but you will make in your entire divorce case. With that said, Do not underestimate how hiring the right attorney can benefit you when compared to just tiring the first attorney that you come across in your case. Just because hiring an attorney is the right move for your case does not mean that any attorney can serve you as well. With that said, you should consider several factors when determining whether or not an attorney is right for you.
The cost of the attorney, their rotation relative to yours, their level of experience, and their personality all seem to be important factors. When we talk about hiring an attorney we live in an era where you have access to information that prior generations of people going through a divorce did not begin to have a period as a result, it is not a good argument for you to be able to say you didn’t know something or couldn’t have known something when it comes to hiring a lawyer. You can make a decision and stick by it if you feel confident in doing so. That competence can come from doing your due diligence and meeting with at least two experienced family law attorneys.
Questions about the material contained in today’s blog post? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan
If you have any questions about the material contained in today’s blog post please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Our licensed family law attorneys offer free of charge consultation six days a week in person, over the phone, and via video. These consultations are not only a great way for you to learn more about the world of Texas family law but also about how your family circumstances may be impacted by the filing of a divorce or child custody case.
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Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Spring, Texas Divorce Lawyers
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s important to speak with one of our Spring, TX Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.
Our divorce lawyers in Spring TX are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC handles Divorce cases in Spring, Texas, Cypress, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
