FAQ
Modern legal
How do I know if an attorney is the right path for me?
If you and the opposing party want to efficiently utilize any financial/time/personal resources to bring about an effective resolution, then my mediation and/or arbitration services are likely a good fit for your case. Note: both parties need to agree to the mediation or arbitration.
In the alternative, if you want legal representation (especially because you have a lot of legal questions or a complex family situation), then my team can provide individualized legal services. We have attorneys with varying years of experience, areas of focus within family law, and varying hourly rates; however, we always work as a team. Therefore, every client is receiving quality and efficient representation no matter what challenges their case presents.
In what step of the divorce process is best for me to meet with an attorney and why?
It is best to speak to an attorney about your family law situation as soon as you believe you or the other side may want a separation or divorce. Legal rights can literally change day-to-day or upon the occurrence of any significant change (such as someone moving out of the marital residence). Therefore, we want each of our clients to have the knowledge of their legal rights as soon as possible in the separation/divorce process.
Whether I'm a breadwinner or a stay-at-home mom, what value will I get out of working with you?
As a friend of mine mentions often, "If you don't know your legal rights, then you have none." Both the breadwinner and the stay-at-home mom have legal rights when it comes to their children and their finances. I cannot express how often I see individuals leaving things on the table that they could have easily asked for (even without filing a lawsuit) or signing something that is so one-sided that it can have detrimental effects for years to come. The value of knowledge, the value of a plan moving forward, and the value of empowerment are what me and my team can provide to anyone going through a family law dispute.
How do I afford this if I am a stay-at-home mom or don't have access to the finances?
Our team works with a number of individuals who are not the breadwinners or have limited financial means. At times, this may even be in part due to domestic violence situations.
To begin, we offer a number of free resources via our resources page on our website or our social media platforms (FB, IG, LinkedIn, and Youtube - @ModernLegalNC or Modern Legal). This includes a lot of education on family law and other considerations when going through the process. There is a link to the NC Child Support guidelines so you can estimate how much child support would be ordered if a child support claim went to Court.
There are also a number of family law resources available via Legal Aid of NC through the "File it yourself" packets. Additionally, in Mecklenburg County, there is the Self-Help Center at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.
Finally, Modern Legal works with individuals of limited financial means to provide legal services in a case-specific manner. For example: I once had a client that explained that she only had a few thousand dollars. As such, I advised her on how best to utilize the available financial resources in her litigation matter (due to a very contentious opposing party). We were able to get her permanent primary physical custody of the child, temporary child support, and spousal support before the funds ran out... and then I literally laid out how she would represent herself to the finish line thereafter. A few months later, she ran into my legal assistant at the courthouse (exuding joy) since she was able to get what we had pursued at the final trial (in which she represented herself). She could not be more thankful. I cannot guarantee similar results in any future case, but this is but one example where we will work with each client depending on their unique circumstance. As conveyed by her experience, I hope to add a bit of empowerment along the way.
I will stress, it is always better to be represented by an attorney; however, unfortunately, we do not have the right to an attorney when it comes to family law matters in North Carolina.
www.PeaceofMindDivorce.info
DISCLAIMER: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not act as legal, financial or psychological advice. While the insights may have wide applicability, readers should consult with an attorney, CPA, financial advisor, therapist or coach in your state to obtain advice with respect to your particular issue and/or case.
Jamie Milam Consulting, LLC © October 2023