The idea of coaching, particularly legal coaching keeps resonating with me. This concept is so intriguing and so much needed. I am also discovering that what I do in my consultations and even some aspects of my legal practice, is coaching. It is something that I feel truly helps people. I recently saw an article about weight loss and healthy living, written by a nutritionist. One of the tips she gave was to have a “buddy” to turn to, to keep you on track when you are tempted to cheat or go back to an unhealthy lifestyle. Whenever you have a choice to make and you don’t know what to do, you call your buddy. This idea is similar to the role a sponsor plays in Alcoholics Anonymous.  You use your buddy for support, advice, and to have someone to lean on. 

I wondered about where someone would go if they are divorcing or are already divorced and they are in the need of advice or have to make a choice. It can be something as simple as a requested parenting plan change or how to handle child care for the summer. A legal coach may be the answer. They can serve as your legal buddy. They can keep you on track, and give you support through a legal crisis, and just be there to give advice.

 A divorce attorney is retained to represent you. They prepare documents, go to court, attend conferences, and give you “legal” advice. Most attorneys will not “listen” and they do not serve as a legal buddy. They want the facts, just the facts. Think of the role of a baseball coach when a baseball player goes up to bat. They encourage, give expertise and advise on how to swing and keep their eye on the ball. They teach you what they know. Moreover, attorneys do not continue to represent you after the divorce is completed and will not be at your beck and call. Moreover, coaching services are much less expensive than your attorney. It is a very different role; it is not as difficult or as labor intensive.

What can a legal coach do? By way of example I had a client who needed help trying to figure out how to implement his parenting plan; particularly his summer vacation time. It was his first vacation alone as a single dad. He had to give notice of his vacation weeks by a certain date and he had to give a detailed itinerary. He had no idea where to go and how to best entertain his three children. I worked with him and we came up with the required information for the itinerary to give to his ex-wife and he had the best time on his vacation.

Another client was trying to solve summer camp and childcare issues with his soon to be ex. Together we explored camps, baby sitters, free services, and did a cost benefit analysis for each possibility. He eventually found an acceptable camp whose cost was half of what his ex-wife had found.

 Another client was selling her home.  She had no idea where to relocate. We worked together to research over 55 communities. We calculated her costs, how much money she had to put down, and how much of a mortgage she could afford. We devised a budget and I referred her to a mortgage broker, financial advisor, and real estate broker for her to work with. She is now settled and happy in her new home and community.

We all need a “buddy” when times are tough, what better buddy than a legal buddy when you are divorcing, are divorced, or in a legal dilemma.