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Wallace &
Kling, P.C. Divorce |
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The process of obtaining a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or a legal separation can be stressful and confusing. Wallace & Kling, P.C. offers a variety of legal services to assist family members as they go through this process. It is important for us to determine which role our firm will fill before we accept a case. Usually this determination is made by communication between a party and one of our legal assistants, or between an attorney for one of the parties and one of our attorneys. Within the divorce arena, we provide the three services described below: Mediation Celeste Kling provides mediation services for parties on a wide range of family law topics, including property and debt division (including business valuation and division), maintenance (spousal support or alimony), allocation of parental responsibility (legal custody issues), children’s parenting time plans, and child support. Mediation may occur before entry of a decree, or years later, when new issues arise. Advice Only Both Nancy Wallace and Celeste Kling welcome the opportunity to meet with clients seeking information and advice about the divorce process, or about post-decree matters. We provide information, advice, and recommendations, but these clients do not retain us to represent them in their legal cases. This type of relationship is also referred to as providing "unbundled legal services." Clients use the information they obtain to make their own decisions and to handle their own legal matters. "Advice only" clients may have a single appointment or a series of appointments, as the need arises. The attorney-client relationship in this "advise only" format is one of coaching and not of legal representation.
Celeste Kling serves as child and family investigator or children’s legal representative, appointed by the court to represent the best interests of children in domestic cases. In paternity, guardianship, and adoption cases, she fills this role under the title of guardian ad litem ("GAL"). The court’s appointment of a children’s advocate may occur before the divorce, or years later, when one of the parties is requesting a change in the orders governing the child’s residence or parenting plan, or allocation of parental decision-making, or when a parent is moving out of state.
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