Facts key in comparing divorce settlements (Advice)

Joseph Walczak

The Southtown Star

Q: I filed for divorce, and my lawyer tells me that I will get a lot less maintenance and property than I planned on, and I will not get to keep the house because it will have to be sold and the proceeds split between us.  I talked with two of my divorced friends, and they both received more maintenance and both kept their homes. This does not seem right. Can it be that they had better lawyers?

A: All lawyers are not created equal, but I do not think that's the problem here. Unless your divorced friends are attorneys, I would trust your lawyer's advice over that of your friends.  I have handled many divorce cases and sometimes hear the same questions that you raised from my clients - my friend received more maintenance, my friend received 70 percent of the marital property rather than 50 percent, my friend was given sole ownership of the marital residence, etc.

Source: http://www.southtownstar.com/business/walczak/1778019,092009walczakcol.article