There is a common perception that a man is disadvantaged in a divorce litigation. Taken to its extreme, this preconception tells that in divorce a man loses access to his children, loses his hard-earned property and in return gets an obligation to pay child and spousal support with no way out. To continue with it, usual fears include almost predetermined unfavorable rulings as family courts are “dominated” by female lawyers.
No wonder that expecting so unbalanced scales of justice, some husbands and fathers see it justified to “rebalance” it back. And they look for a specific sort of a sympathetic lawyer.
A lawyer for a man
Is it true that some lawyers can have their preconceptions, prejudices and culturally predetermined ideas of divorce justice? Probably. Is it true that this can (only can) include some gender stereotypes? This possibility cannot be ruled out either. Of course, there are plenty of examples showing otherwise. But statistical reality is not important when a particular man’s solicitor-client trust is at stake.
Trust, being a subjective aspect of human relationships, can work in a fully irrational manner. Having that in mind, it is possible to say that such a man would be subjectively more comfortable with a lawyer who (seemingly) shares this man’s views and background. Will such a perception be true to the reality? Probably not. Will such a choice be a good, rational one? Again, probably not. (After all, learning about the lawyer’s practice and results would bring a better idea of what kind of a professional he or she is).
But, if we value a relationship of trust, we should take clients’ preconceptions and prejudices seriously, as another factor for the best divorce lawyer choice. Of course, we should expect professional diligence, integrity and rational approach from such a divorce lawyer anyway. Yet it is important that a divorcing man is comfortable with his lawyer. Otherwise, good legal advice can be waisted for quite irrational reasons. After all, we don’t want the client to think that his lawyer was “plotting” against him.
Allen Madelin Lawyers accept mandates for representation in divorce cases. For details, please contact us by phone: 1 514 904 4017 or by email: [email protected].
