There is no more emotional area of the law than family law. Clients come to us in what's often the most difficult emotional period of their lives. So it's vitally important to understand the roles we play as matrimonial attorneys: We are not only our client's legal advocates, but we're part psychologist, part accountant and part valuator. We are also a sounding board. It's our job to have our clients come out of the divorce process as emotionally and financially whole as possible.

Some attorneys focus solely on the financial outcome. But that is treating only one aspect of a case. Our firm deals with each case holistically - that is to say, we understand there are many unique elements to each case, we consider all those in the course we take and recommend. But there is another type of divorce attorney - we often call them "bombers." They figure out quickly what buttons to push - on their client and opponents. Sometimes they team up with clients to encourage and foment more bitter conflict. Why? Because they know they bill by the hour - that extending the divorce proceeding only benefits them. This type of attorney is not a large group, but we have seen them blow up 15-20 percent of the divorce cases in our area. They needlessly add more pain, difficulty - and expense - to the process. And they may be why the majority of ethics complaints are in the field of divorce law. What's changed about the practice of divorce law? For starters, the concept of traditional income often doesn't apply. In reality we have to look at true cash flow - the total financial picture, including perks and business expenses. There's value to heading off to a convention in Florida - it also may be called a vacation. What the IRS might accept, we as our client's advocate might not. We are attentive, and always accountable.

I think perhaps the worst thing an attorney can do is not return a client's telephone call. Such oversights just lead to more problems, for everyone. In any divorce process, it's a time when communication is needed most. In my five decades as a divorce attorney, I can say it's usually those little things that are most important.

Equally as important is to be truthful with your client. Being forthright and truthful helps set realistic expectations about the outcome of a case.