Divorce and family law is primarily a local practice, concentrated in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach Counties, where Mr. Olsen is available for Contested and Uncontested Divorces, Custody Disputes, Enforcement and Contempt, Alimony and Child Support, Domestic Violence Injunctions, Modification, and Paternity Actions.
Do you need a lawyer? Divorce is not rocket science. But it is, for most clients, one the most emotionally and financially painful events they have experienced in their lives. If they could calmly and reasonably communicate with their spouses, and through that communication make rational decisions about their children and finances, then perhaps they would not have found themselves in a divorce lawyer's office in the first place. A lawyer understands the practical and legal issues in the case, promotes reasonable and informed communication with the other side, and smooths out the bumps on the emotional roller coaster that most divorce clients have been riding along with their spouses.
Common sense is often one of the first victims during a divorce. Divorce lawyers often hear the following from prospective clients:
"My wife's lawyer said she'll take me to the cleaners...."
"My husband's lawyer said I'll be living on the street...."
"You'll never see the kids again...."
Think about it. Does it make any sense whatsoever to get your "legal advice" from your soon-to-be ex-wife or ex-husband (who is usually screaming that "advice" to you in any event)? Of course not. An ethical family lawyer will never tell the client that he or she will "get everything". It just doesn't work that way in Florida. Florida law provides for the equitable distribution of marital assets and governs other issues such as custody and visitation, child support, and alimony.
The bottom line on whether you "need" a lawyer is you will be better off with one than without one. Our job is to analyze the facts of your case, help you understand the law as it applies to those facts, prepare you for mediation and trial, answer your questions and support you as you go through this process, and be the best possible advocate for your position.
Call to set up a consultation. We do charge a reasonable consultation fee in divorce and family matters. We believe that you will leave the consultation with a much greater understanding of and appreciation for the potential issues in your case and the legal process that will be followed to get your matter resolved.
One last thought. You may not think it possible as you are perusing this website or sitting in our offices in the early stages of your divorce, but we have observed something of a pattern over the years that we like to share with our divorce clients at the outset. No matter how you feel today, please try to keep in mind that after your divorce is resolved, and no matter who initiated it, about a year after it is over (and often sooner than that) you will find yourself happier than you had been in a long, long time. We can almost guarantee it. It's human nature.