COUNSEL

More than half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce, and statistically, the results often prove staggering for men. The Isaak Law Firm is dedicated to turning those statistics around. This safe, legal counsel from the desk of Melissa L. Isaak will help men protect themselves during divorce litigations.

Documentation:
It is extremely important to record facts, figures, behavior, and events—regardless of their perceived significance. If you call to speak to your child or children, you need to log it in a journal. Document the date, the time, the duration, and the basic theme of the conversation, as well as any thoughts or observations you had once the conversation was concluded. Documentation is fundamental to success.

Protect Financial Assets:
Any joint financial assets should be terminated immediately. Each individual should arrange for new accounts or credit cards solely in their own names. If you are simply a named user on your spouse’s credit card account, ask for your name to be removed immediately. If previous joint debt cannot be paid off, request that the accounts be frozen by the lender to ensure that no more debt will be accumulated by either of you. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to make credit card payments through illness or loss of work during litigation proceedings, immediately contact the creditors. Work out payment arrangements as soon as possible to avoid damaging your credit.

Involvement:
You must be involved in your case from the beginning. You should never permit your divorce attorney to handle your case on his or her own, without direct consultation from you. You are your own best advocate when it comes to your case.

Visitation:
Never lose the bond you have with your children, regardless of any unadvised legal actions made by your spouse during divorce proceedings. Visit with your children as often as possible. Never allow your children to be kept from you—they are just as much yours as they are your spouse’s. If necessary, a temporary order for visitation may be filed with the court to prevent this from occurring. Accusations made against you for abandonment can result in worse case scenarios.

Surveillance:
Audio/video surveillance can make or break a divorce case. You owe it to yourself to purchase a small digital recorder to capture “in the moment” situations. Alabama law allows for conversations to be recorded as long as one party to the conversation is aware of it. You can plug an audio recording device into your main phone so that no conversation takes place without proper documentation. If your spouse behaves in a questionable manner, visually record it. Video cameras are staples in today’s handheld cellular devices. Sometimes your wife can be your best witness!