My clients are a little better informed nowadays - that's in part due to the Internet. But they also realize that there are many social changes that have had an impact on the divorce process. For one thing, they know that settlements are not always 50/50, that the dependent spouse can sometimes receive more. It used to be that clients would come in wanting every ounce of blood - nowadays expectations are a little better attuned to reality. Clients come in saying they want to be fair, or, on the other side, asking what they are entitled to. I think that's a healthy development. I always tried to discourage a scorched-earth policy. People who want that don't want me - and I really don't want them. There has to be a mutual philosophy on where the client wants to go. We're lawyers - not SEPTA buses. We don't have to take every person who comes up to the door.
Typically, in an initial consultation I'll give people what I believe would be their exposure if they went to court: What would the master or judge order in the way of support? What are the scenarios? Worst case? Best case? Most likely? I tell everyone that you never hit a home run in a divorce case. We're working for singles and doubles, and most people are comfortable with that. For instance, if I'm representing a woman who is seeking spousal and/or child support, my estimates start at the low end of a possible range - in the end the level of support will likely be higher. The client is better served when expectations are exceeded - not dashed.
The social changes are remarkable and have had a direct impact on our work - both spouses are more financially aware than 10 or 15 years ago. Husbands no longer are simply the 8-to-6 breadwinner. With two working parents, who is the primary caregiver? We see those issues every day now. Then there are what I call the "biotech issues" of divorce law: Surrogacy. In-vitro conception. It's more than simply gay parenting and non-traditional households. The last generation of family lawyers wasn't dealing with all of that. I find it all fascinating.
Sadly, I think the conflicts are getting worse. Fewer cases seem to settle. Still prevalent are alcohol and drug-abuse problems underlying the divorce itself. I have been on all sides of these issues, and they don't seem to be getting any better.
On a certain level the profession is not as respected as it used to be. But what we do has become more important - we're at the center of many social changes, while working constructively at the crossroads of people's lives. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to do that. It always has.
