What Cost Divorce?
Posted by: Marshall Waller
January 21, 2009

It has been said of divorce that it is expensive, but “worth it!” Expensive indeed. And an acrimonious divorce is significantly more expensive than most. This is a point that was driven home to one party to such a divorce in Britain when she found it necessary to hand over her £250,000 (approximately $370,000) custom diamond ring to her divorce lawyers so they could continue the fight on her behalf. It has been reported by the British online publication “Mail Online,” the online version of the “Daily Mail,” that Marco White, celebrity chef and star of the popular show “Hell’s Kitchen,” (previously hosted by a former protégée of White’s, Gordon Ramsay), gave the gift to his wife of 8 years and mother of his three children, Mati White, after she gave him his two sons.  Ms. White is reported to be penniless now, after having already spent nearly £1,000,000 (roughly $1,475,000) on her divorce lawyers!

The pair (most notably Ms. White) have made the press in England with some frequency as their fights and hostility have played out in London restaurants and other venues. In one reported instance Ms. White became enraged at her husband while dining at a posh London restaurant and flipped over the table, tossed the restaurant’s stereo system off the shelf and then hurled wine and finally an ashtray at her husband as he retreated into the street. Evidently things have continued to unravel and the divorce moves forward, leaving a financial nightmare in its wake. To what end, though? Satisfaction? Revenge? A sense of purpose? Unlikely.

The real tragedy of this frighteningly expensive, highly public spectacle is in the impact it will have on the parties’ three small children. Soon they will be old enough to read of this behavior of their famous parents on their own, and have almost certainly already been talked about at school behind their backs.  When dealing with this level of volatility, which has been reported to have been witnessed at their home as well as out on the town, the impact on the innocent victims, the children, is ferocious and will last a lifetime.  At some point someone who is going through a divorce needs to examine their priorities and start making rational decisions for the betterment of their children and themselves, as well as recognizing the fact that, like it or not, the relationship with the other parent will continue for a lifetime. Spending oneself into poverty (even temporary poverty – in this case it is reported that Ms. White may end with £25,000,000 in the divorce settlement) sends the wrong message to your children while at the same time placing everyone in the family into a state of chaos that ravages everyone involved.

Divorce is difficult and the issues are complex and the emotions run high. We feel betrayed by the one we love, or simply confused and lost and full of fear. This is the time, then, to take stock in yourself and in your position and in your family and realize that you will survive. Tomorrow really is another day, and we owe it to ourselves and to our children to be the best we can be in times like these. We will likely be judged b ourselves and by those around not so much by the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but by how we handle those circumstances.  

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Free Publication
Posted by: Marshall Waller
January 16, 2009

All Press Releases for January 15, 2009

Husband And Wife Divorce Attorney Team Release Free Publication On Hiring A Divorce Attorney Two experienced attorneys and shareholders in a family law firm give the inside scoop on hiring a divorce attorney.  maybe you don't have to get a divorce  Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 15, 2009 -- If you or anyone you know is thinking about getting a divorce, stop. A must read for anyone thinking of hiring a divorce lawyer is a newly released free publication written by a husband and wife team who are both experienced attorneys and shareholders in a California divorce law firm. Feinberg & Waller, a professional corporation, is a results-oriented law firm practicing exclusively in Family Law. The firms' lawyers can compete head to head with the nation's best Family Law advocates. The law firm is known throughout Southern California for its skilled, effective, well-crafted, and refined legal presentations. The free publication, How to Hire a Divorce Attorney and Save Money Too: The Inside Scoop from Family Lawyers by Marshall and Mary Ellen Waller, is available on the Feinberg & Waller website publication's page. http://www.feinbergwaller.com/CM/Custom/Family-Law-Publication.asp. The unparallel candor of this publication gives a rare, valuable, and revealing insight into the true nature of family law. This free public service publication is a comprehensive overview of the considerations surrounding hiring an attorney for your divorce. The attorney's perspectives and observations on their field include their thoughts on such topics as "maybe you don't have to get a divorce". The forthright content contains the same suggestions and insights as they would share with close friends and family members going through a divorce, custody or related matter. The authors share their thoughts on handling your divorce in a civil, adult and responsible manner while maintaining the ability to interact with your ex-spouse and maintain your composure for the sake of the children as well as your own sanity. Readers are cautioned to watch out for lawyers who sell themselves as "street fighters". They are also told in detail about what should happen at the first meeting and what clients can do to save money after they hire a lawyer. One of the goals of the publication is to enable people to make smart, educated choices. Feinberg & Waller's principal litigator, Marshall Waller is a Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California. He holds an advanced degree in Taxation, is the author of a popular comprehensive California family law textbook, and is a family law legal commentator. Mary Ellen Waller is admitted to practice law in both the State of New York and the State of California. She has extensive business management and litigation experience in both New York and California. The experienced lawyers at Feinberg & Waller are quintessential professionals who work as a team and are passionate about the field of family law. Feinberg & Waller lawyers regularly attend continuing education seminars to stay abreast of new developments in family law. Each attorney in this firm is articulate, business savvy, a writer and a litigator. This combination creates a powerful force of divorce attorneys. The firm's representative clientele include business executives, attorneys, doctors, media professionals, and other high net worth individuals. With offices in Calabasas as well as Beverly Hills the firm is able to serve the needs of a broad geographical range of clients. The firm's offices are designed in an elegant, home-like manner to enable clients to relax and have a comfortable, secure meeting experience during this difficult time.  www.feinbergwaller.com

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Relocation Upon Divorce
Posted by: Marshall Waller
January 13, 2009

Close Proximity to Alcohol Vendors Can Present Significant Problems for Children  

When deciding where to relocate upon divorce, thoughtful and caring parents must account for much more than commuting distances and other convenience aspects in their analysis.  While parents certainly factor in safety as a large concern in their relocation decision, some areas of protection are not as obvious as one might think.  Close proximity to alcohol vendors presents many forms of potential danger to your children, and you should exercise great caution in choosing a neighborhood that limits easy access to such.

Liquor stores, corner groceries, and other convenience outlets are found in most every neighborhood, but the handiness of such stores represents a double-edged sword for careful parents.  Alcohol abuse is a danger to children as well as adults, and limiting access to those vendors should be a paramount consideration for relocating divorcees –with either shared or full custody.

The American Journal of Public Health recently published an article (Dec. 2008), highlighting these potential dangers.  Speaking to the implicit dangers associated with alcohol vending locations, the article declared, in part, “Our study suggests that living in close proximity to alcohol outlets is a risk factor for youth [.]”  (The Los Angeles Times’ Jeannine Stein expounded on that article in her recent column, “Alcohol Adjacent.”)  Aside from the obvious problem of underage drinking, the Journal pointed out additional potential areas of concern, including “violent crime and drunk driving,” that occur near such establishments.

Providing a safe environment for your children continues beyond the doorstep of your home.  Thoughtful parents will extend their safety concerns beyond their home to the boundaries of their neighborhood.  When seeking potential homes and neighborhoods for relocation, take into account the proximity to alcohol vendors –the further away, the better.  

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