Need a Good Lawyer

Suzy Eckstein ###-###-####- She's in Rockville (20min from Tysons)
I've know her for 20 years and she is helping me with my divorce. feel free to reach out to me directly if you need to chat.

Hi A.
congratulations on the new baby. I am sad to hear though that your relationship isn't going very well. I don't know any lawyers but I specialize in helping stepfamilies (blended) to work through their issues of merging two families together. The stats for the success rate of second marriages is lower than the first often because couples are not prepared for the difficulties that comes with blending two families. If you feel that a lawyer is the only way, then do what your heart tells you. Over time, I have seen couples get out of relationships and get into a new one, making the same mistakes over and over. Even if you do decide to end this relationship, you will forever be involved with the father of your son. Trying to find ways to be "friends" or at least on the side of the child with make everyone's life easier. I am sure that your husband must be very afraid of having to go through a divorce a second time. For many people, "failure" is never easy to admit.
I just wanted to give you a different perspective and alternative way into dealing with your situation. It is true that whenever a major change happens in a relationship, it tends to create lots of stresses. If you would like to talk some more, you can email me.

Good luck and I hope that this was helpful to you.

C. C.
Life Coach

Hi A.,

Sorry to hear about your situation. Great Family attorney in Tysons Corner...Phil Leiser...he's compassionate..about to become a new dad himself.
Business Information:

Phillip Leiser & Karen Leiser
Leiser, Leiser & Hennessey
Attorney - Family
8229 Boone Blvd. Suite 310
Vienna, VA 22182
Phone: ###-###-####

Read about Phil and his wife Karen.....
http://www.leiserlaw.com/attorney.htm

I recommend you go interview them...You will find compassion there.

Good Luck with everything

Hi there - hopefully you and your husband are just going through a rough patch. However, it is telling that you feel you need to be prepared... My younger sister is going through a similar situation - she left a good job and all family (both sides) in Chicago to follow her husband's career. She transplanted 3 children (all now under 4 years old!) - only to have him leave her for another woman 1 1/2 years after their move to DC. My sister's lawyer is Deborah Luxenberg at Luxenberg, Johnson, & Dickens, P.C. - they are tough (and will be blunt with you) but very good. A bit pricey - but separation and divorce are going to be pricey if it can't be resolved in mediation.

I hope you are able to settle back near family - as my sister is currently working on. It is so much easier to live in a community of family and friends - - any good and caring parent would realize that and welcome such a life for their children.

Good luck.

I know two good ones, my husband's and my second attorney. My first one was a dud, couldn't get anything accomplished, cost me much more than she should have.

Kim DiGiovanni Aluisi - she's in Annapolis, has her own firm. I think she'd fight like a dog for a woman. She was my husband's attorney. You can use my name, S. Solari (was Potts)

After I fired my first attorney, I hired the brother of a friend who was wonderful. His name is Lawrence Marzetti in Oxon Hill. He was terrific. You can use my name with him as well.

Good luck and God bless. It's miserable whether there are kids or not, money or not, etc., etc.

p.s. Having just read this, I realize you said DC or VA. Maybe either of them could refer you or maybe one of them is licensed to practice in DC or VA as well.

S.

A.,
Congrats on your baby. I don't know any good lawyers, but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in what you are going through. The first few months after a baby arrives are very difficult. All the hubby tends to see is that the house isn't as it used to be, the dinners are as they used to be, the money is going out for diapers and formula and... Every couple goes through this, no matter what the past situation, income, etc. People who have been divorced at least once tend to be quicker at throwing the 'D' word around then others, but I've only been married this once, and have suggested several times that if hubby didn't like something, he knew where his parents lived. (across the street!). The tricks that I use to get through the disagreements is to focus on me and my 2 kids. I do the dishes for us, not him. I'm cooking food for us, not him. I'm doing the laundry for us, not him. In taking this approach, I found that there are one or two things, that when they are not done, sets him off more than others. I try to keep those two things done, or in some state of order for the most part. It doesn't stop him from getting upset, but it lessens the outburst.
Good luck.
M.

Hi, A..

There is wisdom in what the others say... but be smart and prepared... which you are doing. Especially, since your husband is an attorney... he already thinks in a legal sense. A prep meeting/consultation with a divorce attorney would be very good for you.

I pray to God that you get some FABULOUS recommendations on attorneys. Personally, I would spare no expense with an attorney... a good divorce attorney is like a good tax accountant... your benefits/savings will far outweigh the cost.

In parallel with you seeking legal counsel, I would definitely try to appeal to your husband directly assuming you do want this marriage to work... perhaps writing a letter/email that is loving yet direct (this might also be good evidence). Written emails/letters are also a nice way to dialogue and share feelings without things getting too heated. You are his wife and he needs to respect you and love you... in many ways more than his 3 children and new baby. If he cannot place his trust and love in you above anyone else, then it will all crumble. If he could not do this with Wife 1, and now with you... chances are he will never be able to have a meaningful relationship with any woman and just be destined for loneliness and misery. I feel for him, but you are smart in wanting to protect yourself legally in the process of trying to save your marriage.

Best of luck to you. None of my "friends" in D.C. will know of a good divorce attorney, but I will try reach out to some acquaintences for you. If I get anything, I will post it or email you.

A.,
Congratulations for your baby. Having kids is a blessing.
I'm a divorced mother with twins and re-married two years ago to a husband who is controlling and selfish. Similar situation to yours - every time we argue he mention divorce and who keeps materials things. We got to the point where I took it serious and we separated the money. It hurts so much and I lost confidence in the marriage. I don't see myself of plan in my head to be together forever like any other couples - I just take one day a the time and try to be there for the sake of the kids. Anyway, in my first experience with a divorce I got this book from a friend about "How to get a divorce in VA, MD, DC". Not sure if I still have it but I'll check and send you the name. This book gives you all you need including the forms do it yourself to save money. My ex-husband left everything to me and the kids. Just after we separated I kind of copied and modified from the book the Separation Agreement and took it to a lawyer to check it. The lawyer didn't change a thing and we both signed but of course it was easy because he was not interested in anything but later he changed his mind and wanted the full custody of the kids but for what I understand it's diffucult for guys to get it unless he proof that you're not a good mother and not spend time with the kids or give a bad example.
With my new husband, one day that we had an arguing I found a journal he had where he spelled out every little thing he wanted. He even call a realtor to put the house for sale and he told me I get half plus half of another house I bought with my money before I met him. I'm not interested in material things but I'm kind of prepared and it make the relationship so difficult. I understand how you feel. My advice is to be prepared but try hard to work things out for your new baby and please don't eat everything inside you because is not healthy - make sure you express your how you feel and let him know.
Good Luck!
M.
Here is my work email just in case: ____@____.com