Can I Trust Friends and Family to Provide Advice During the Texas Divorce Process?

I have helped many individuals who come to me with any number of misconceptions promulgated by well-meaning people who care about them. Your friends and family naturally want the best for you and your children. However, their own personal experiences do not always lead to the best advice. By all means, accept their good intentions but turn to a compassionate Texas divorce lawyer for legal and other advice that makes the most sense for your unique circumstances.

Friends and family often eagerly present their advice from the first moment they recognize your marriage may be in trouble and throughout the entire period of your emotional turmoil. One psychologist identifies numerous phases typical for many people prior to the actual litigation phase of divorce:

• Deliberation is the period when one or both spouses begin to recognize marital strife and first start considering the possibility of divorce.
• Decision is the phase when one or both parties choose divorce and communicate the intent.
• Transition is a period when the parties make questionable decisions as they engage in the difficult process of letting go.

Turning to those close to certainly may help you handle the emotional issues as you proceed toward the actual divorce process. However, you need to recognize that they base their advice on their own personal experiences, which are different from your situation. Perhaps the best rule of thumb is to accept their concern and sympathy but think twice before accepting advice that may not be appropriate for you.

In an emotionally charged situation like divorce, you need to separate your feelings from the practical issues. An experienced Houston divorce attorney carefully assesses all aspects of your specific situation. He or she may recommend counseling or other types of support by professionals who can provide the objective emotional support you need. Just as importantly, your lawyer can help you make the right decisions you need to move you toward a bright future in your new single life.