Worried About Your Divorce Lawyer? Delays, Bills and Backpedaling in Family Law Explained

🎧 Listen to this episode if…

• You've sent emails and heard nothing back for weeks
• The strategy has completely changed without a discussion
• The family violence you disclosed isn't even in your affidavit
• Your lawyer is great at invoices but not much else
• You're thinking about leaving your lawyer but don't know the steps

⚠️ Disclaimer: General information only, not legal advice. Based on Australian family law. Always get independent legal advice, and consider all aspects before deciding to leave your lawyer.
🛟 This episode discusses family violence and coercive control. If you're in danger call 000. Support: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

About this episode:
Bad lawyer, bad fit – or a good lawyer having a bad month? Mum and I walk through what a good lawyer relationship looks like, reasonable response times, why strategies change (and when backpedaling is a red flag), what to do when your lawyer minimises family violence, how to question a bill without feeling horrible, the repair conversation to have before you leave, and the exact steps to change lawyers without leaving yourself in the lurch. You're the client – it's okay to ask questions.

⏱️ Timeline
00:00 – Warning Signs Your Divorce Lawyer Might Be the Problem
01:00 – Why Family Lawyers Are Hardworking (And Human)
02:00 – You're the Client: Permission to Ask Questions
04:00 – Legal Disclaimer and Family Violence Warning
05:00 – What a Good Lawyer Relationship Looks Like
06:00 – What Your Lawyer Should Explain Without Being Asked
07:00 – A Good First Meeting: Chronologies and Probing Questions
09:00 – Over-Promising Lawyers and the Polaroid Analogy
10:00 – How Long Should You Wait to Hear Back?
11:00 – Busy Lawyer vs Neglectful Lawyer
13:00 – Never Miss a Court Deadline
15:00 – Radio Silence? The Email to Send the Principal
16:00 – Will Complaining Make My Lawyer Hate Me?
17:00 – Trust and Full Disclosure
18:00 – The Dot-Point Chronology Trick
19:00 – Illegal Activity and Legal Professional Privilege
21:00 – Section 128 Certificates
22:00 – Affairs, New Partners and Why Lawyers Don't Judge
23:00 – Strategy Changes and Backpedaling
27:00 – Defensive Lawyers and Letters of Advice
28:00 – When Lawyers Gatekeep Family Violence
29:00 – Section 43: Safety Over Everything
30:00 – The 2024 Reforms: Is Your Lawyer Up to Date?
34:00 – What a Normal Legal Bill Looks Like
35:00 – What You Can Question in a Bill
38:00 – The Repair Conversation
39:00 – Meeting the Principal and Testing Their Reaction
41:00 – Project Managing Your Case
43:00 – Leaving Your Lawyer: Pause the File, Check Timing
44:00 – Find Your New Lawyer First
45:00 – Outstanding Bills and Court Portal Access
46:00 – Rapid Fire: Second Opinions and Support People
48:00 – Step In, Step Out
49:00 – Is It Though? Why Questioning Is Everything

🎧 Episodes mentioned:
Legal Gatekeeping: Is Your Lawyer Telling Your Full Story? → https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/legal-gatekeeping-is-your-lawyer-telling-your-full-story/id1503451022?i=1000666744026
Choosing a Family Lawyer – The Red Flags Not to Ignore → https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/choosing-a-family-lawyer-the-red-flags-not-to-ignore/id1503451022?i=1000555058558
Take the Divorce Personality Quiz → https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/take-the-divorce-personality-quiz-learn-why-your/id1503451022?i=1000748290587
Decoding Divorce Word Salad Legal Letters → https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qiOSiGK9yOrt0lEdqCudQ

📞 1800 RESPECT — 1800 737 732 | Lifeline — 13 11 14 | Police — 000
🌐 www.thedivorcecourse.com.au – free checklists + DIY Divorce Blueprint

If this helped you work out whether your lawyer is the right fit, please subscribe, like and share so others can find it too.

All our best,
Laura & Lyn – Your Guides By Your Side