If you are in the throes of a divorce and you are either representing yourself, are in mediation, or you and your spouse are negotiating an uncontested divorce you may need a legal coach. Coaching is defined as a form of development in which an experienced trained person, called a coach or expert, supports a client in achieving a goal by providing training support and guidance. It is solution focused. Legal coaching is not therapy; nor is it representing a client as an attorney in the traditional sense. It is an accompaniment rather than representation.

 If you are in the process of divorce and especially if you do not have an attorney and are representing yourself; you need support. Someone to guide you, make suggestions, and listen. If you have an attorney their goal and job is to counsel you on the law it’s true but their focus is on appearing in court, court procedure, discovery, obtaining needed information, and preparing court documents. With all they have to do they often cannot give you the support and one on one attention that you need. A lawyer is not a coach; however, a legal coach is a lawyer.

How to approach your spouse or ex-spouse to discuss an issue is an important skill to learn. Your attorney will not be in your life after the divorce. There will not be two attorneys speaking on behalf of you and your spouse. You will have to learn to have conversations with your spouse or ex-spouse on such issues as parenting, home repairs, sale of a home, splitting bank accounts IRA’s, etc.

 In coaching you will learn how to write emails to your ex-spouse, to discuss parenting or financial issues. You can discuss and create a plan as to where you should reside after the divorce. You can have an in depth discussion and receive suggestions for what parenting plan would work best for you. You can discuss and plan for a new career, going back to school or how to find a job after the divorce. A legal coach can review your agreement after the divorce and answer any questions you have or give clarification and advice on a particular aspect of the divorce.

If you are in mediation or representing yourself a legal coach can prepare agreements, review documents, explain the law, and advise you. If you have an attorney the legal coach can give you a second opinion or help clarify the law and help you make a decision.

 A legal coach is on call when you need it and to answer your questions. A legal coach can support you every step of the way. The following is as recap on the basics of legal coaching:

  • Give sound advice that is honest and in your best interests
  • Avoid costly mistakes
  • Work behind the scenes in mediation and an uncontested developing legal strategy and assessing how to best represent yourself
  • Reviewing agreements and documents
  • A sounding board to go over your case and have a clear understanding of where you are and want to do
  • Determining and explaining the practical consequences of various property division
  • Helping you implement the agreement after it is signed
  • Helping you make decisions on the next phase of your life taking the divorce and the terms of the agreement into account
  • Offering Support

There are many new innovative ways you can use an attorney to help you through a divorce and legal coaching is one of them to consider.