Earlier this week, The Hart Law Firm took a big step forward. We signed up our first client on a flat fee basis and it feels great. Until now, I had done what most other divorce lawyers do – charge a retainer combined with a refundable trust deposit that I billed against at my normal…
Category Archives: How we work
Why am I a Family Law attorney? It’s all about relationships.
Recently someone asked me why I do what I do, which really got me thinking about my practice as a divorce and family law attorney. Over the years, I have attracted a certain type of client, over and over. And I believe that the reason why I attract this type of client is my personality…
The Hart Law Firm offers a Written Guarantee
For several years now, we have offered an implicit guarantee in our employment contracts with our clients. We have decided it’s time to step up our game. Effectively immediately, The Hart Law Firm is offering a written guarantee to all clients. We can’t guarantee results – no law firm can. However, we can guarantee how…
Are you scared to call a law firm?
One of the things that we as lawyers often forget is that we can be intimidating. One of the first things I tell clients who come to visit with me for the first time is that they have nothing to be afraid of. I pride myself in not trying to pull one over on a…
Common QDRO Questions and Answers
QDRO’s are a source of lots of confusion for clients (as well as many attorneys). Here are some answers to questions I get on a pretty regular basis: What is a QDRO? A QDRO is short for “Qualified Domestic Relations Order”. It is a court order that is usually signed by both parties (making it…
5 Raleigh Divorce Lawyers join Separating Together
I guess these things aren’t quite official until there is a press release about it. Just announced – myself and four other Raleigh Divorce Lawyers have joined Separating Together, a Collaborative Family Law Practice Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. All of us have pledged to restrict our law practices to resolving family law matters without…
Questions about a Collaborative Divorce Practice
In response to my most recent blog post, I’ve received some questions about what taking my family law practice 100% Collaborative means for the remainder of my practice… Here are some of the questions I’ve received and my responses: Does this mean that you’ll only do collaborative divorces? Actually, No. It only means that I…
How do I decide whether to accept a case?
Whenever I sit down with someone that has a legal problem, I have to determine whether that client is a good fit for my law practice, and also whether I would be the best lawyer for them. For some lawyers, this decision is easy – if the client is willing to write a check, they…
What financial documents do I need to disclose in my Divorce?
Every state is different when it comes to financial disclosures that must be made in your divorce case. In North Carolina, the disclosures that are required depend in large part on what type of relief is being requested. Where Child Support is at issue, one set of documents is required, where spousal support is at…
How does Collaborative Divorce work?
Many people still don’t understand exactly how collaborative divorce works – here is a brief rundown of the process. Both parties start by selecting a collaborative lawyer to assist them in their case. This is probably the most important step, and one that many people fail to get past. The key here is that both…