A transcript, lightly edited for readability, of a Real Life Law segment from Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona, originally broadcast on 96.1 WLKG in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Transcript
I’ve had clients call and tell me they got a knock on the door, opened it, and a sheriff handed them a summons saying their spouse had filed for divorce. It’s a shock, and people don’t know what to do.
Sometimes the first reaction is anger and frustration: calling the spouse, yelling, screaming, making threats. Sometimes there are accusations dredged up from the past. All of that happens. But from a lawyer’s perspective, the thing to do is think rationally, not emotionally, and act on information rather than guesswork.
Most people facing divorce are so upset they can’t think straight. So the most important thing is to get advice about how the divorce will really proceed. Some people, often men, think all their assets will be gone and they’ll barely be able to live. On the other side, someone who has been raising the kids and working part-time may say, “My spouse always handled the finances. What am I going to do?” There are a million concerns.
Get advice from a lawyer so you can handle things rationally. The steps you take right after that knock on the door have serious consequences for how your divorce will go.
This segment is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Laws change, and every case depends on its facts. To talk with an attorney, call (312) 362-0000 in Illinois or (262) 812-0864 in Wisconsin, or send us a message.
Related: Family Law · More Real Life Law segments