Ending a marriage can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but when you’re dealing with a spouse that’s inclined to “go low” and play tricks, your divorce can quickly get complicated in ways that you’d never expect.
One of the most underhand moves of all, particularly in high-value cases where one spouse has a significant amount of clout and money, is “conflicting out” all the best divorce attorneys around.
What does it mean to “conflict out” a divorce attorney?
The attorney-client relationship is sacrosanct, so that people can tell their attorneys things they’d never tell anybody else. Plus, an attorney is legally required to advocate for their client’s interests to the exclusion of all other people’s interests.
That’s why one attorney can’t advocate for both parties in a divorce, and each spouse needs their own representation.
“Conflicting out” an attorney is a fairly simple process: The spouse taking this approach simply makes a series of consultative appointments with all of the best divorce attorneys in the area. They don’t have to hire any of them — but merely going to the consultation (or even having a phone consultation) puts the attorney in an ethical bind where a conflict of interest prohibits them from representing the other party.
What can you do to keep your spouse from conflicting you out of help?
Basically, you need to take a long, hard look at your situation as early as possible and be honest with yourself. You probably know your spouse better than anybody else. If you believe that they’re inclined to play dirty in your divorce, you need to make the first move.
Speak to a reputable, experienced divorce attorney about your situation right away — before your spouse has the chance.