Your divorce attorney cannot protect you from what they do not know. Being completely honest allows them to prepare for challenges, respond effectively, and support your goals. Even if something feels personal or embarrassing, your attorney needs the full picture to represent you well. This is true whether your case is in court or handled through Collaborative Divorce.
Why Your Attorney Needs the Whole Story
When you hire a divorce attorney, they are there to advocate for you. But if they do not have all the facts, they cannot prepare for everything that might come up. You may feel tempted to keep something private, especially if it is personal or uncomfortable. However, if your spouse brings it up during the divorce process and your attorney does not know about it, there may be no time to respond properly. Telling your attorney everything gives them the chance to help you.
Details That May Seem Unimportant Often Matter
It is common to wonder why your attorney needs to see your bank statements or credit card records. But in a divorce, all assets and debts must be considered. If you want to claim that something is your separate property, the burden is on you to prove it. Without the right information or documentation, your attorney cannot support that claim. Sharing financial details, even ones that feel unrelated, helps protect what is yours.
Honesty Helps Build a Stronger Case
When your attorney has the full picture, they can create a stronger plan. They can prepare for possible challenges and look into any weaknesses in the other side’s case. Full transparency also allows your attorney to make better use of negotiation tools or courtroom strategy. Whether you are working toward an agreement or preparing for trial, honesty gives your attorney the tools they need to help you.
Collaborative Divorce Benefits from Openness Too
Surprises can still create problems, even in a Collaborative Divorce. Being honest from the beginning helps your attorney work with the other professionals involved and prevents misunderstandings. It also helps you keep personal information out of the public record. If you want to maintain a strong co-parenting relationship or request something unique, such as continuing a relationship with a stepchild, your attorney needs to know what is important to you from the start.
Keep Your Conversations Private
What you share with your attorney is protected by attorney-client privilege, but that protection only applies when the conversation is private. If you are meeting with your attorney by Zoom or phone, make sure no one else is in the room. Even if a friend or family member already knows the situation, their presence can affect the confidentiality of what you share. Keeping these conversations just between you and your attorney is the best way to protect your interests.
Call Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices Today
Honesty is one of the most valuable things you can bring to your attorney. The more your attorney knows, the more prepared they can be to support you. If you are ready to talk with someone you can trust, call the Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices at (214) 420-1800 to schedule a consultation. Our office is located at 2911 Turtle Creek Blvd., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75219.
Paula Lock Smyth has practiced law in Texas since 1985, focusing on Family Law, Probate, Mediation, and Collaborative Divorce. She is a trained mediator, seasoned litigator, and one of the early adopters of Collaborative Divorce in Texas. Paula is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the College of the State Bar and the Texas Bar Foundation and has served as Past President of Dallas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. She was a Master in the Annette Stewart Inn of Court and is a Charter Member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas. Her legal knowledge and decades of experience make her a trusted voice on matters that impact families across Dallas and surrounding counties.