Karen S. Sendelbach’s Reviews

Divorce is the worst thing I have ever been through. Karen saved me from making awful decisions at a time where my own thinking was not clear. Left to myself, these decisions - related to my children, to my assets, to future support I was going to provide - would have hurt me and my family for the rest of my life. Karen took a level-headed approach that helped me identify what was most important to me, and how to go about getting those pieces of my life in order. The shared parenting agreement she wrote is one of the best documents of that kind that I can imagine. I have since run into many people that are constantly at odds with their ex because that particular document is either ambiguous, poorly written, or sets up unrealistic scheduling that leads to conflict.

Regarding financial matters, Karen is best described as fair and knowledgeable. She points out what is standard practice and where your situation fits the standard and where it doesn't. She helps you reach a fair settlement, one you can live decently with. She watches out for your interest if you are giving up too much, but also points out when you are being unrealistic or unfair. She is also a mediator, and those mediation skills are definitely brought into play as you and your soon-to-be-ex spouse are trying to figure out what your future life will be like. This is a charged, by definition confrontational situation, and she helps keep the nasty stuff down to a minimum. This does not mean she will instruct you to simply roll over - quite the contrary - but that she will help you get most of what you want first through negotiation and logic. She will fight for what is most important and fair, but as a second resort, when more desirable tactics have failed.

I needed someone like this to help me wade through the legal and emotional waters associated with this experience. I came out of it intact, and having a great relationship with my children. I have a decent working relationship with my ex, not without it's problems, but definitely better for having had Karen involved in the settlement of our parenting and financial lives. Fantastic, very bright attorney who made a difference in my life.

Let's face it - no one wants to go to a divorce attorney. I sure didn't. I've seen enough TV to be fearful of being put through the wringer or being taken advantage of. But Karen handled the divorce of a friend of mine, and he spoke highly of her, so I interviewed her (along with 3 or 4 other attorneys in the area - you can't be too careful with these things). I'm glad I did, because her approach to divorce was very refreshing. My initial reaction to be served with divorce papers was to adopt a "take no prisoners" approach - I was hurt and afraid and feeling vindictive and I wanted to lash out at my ex-wife any way I could. Luckily, Karen helped talk me down from that position. I am sure I was not an easy client for her, but she was very honest and direct in her approach and explained my options and what the likely consequences of each was. She often told me things that I didn't necessarily want to hear (or do), but I can see now that they were right things, and, in hindsight, I'm glad I listened to her. She certainly isn't weak, meek or mild, and she ably and vigourosly argued my position when it was necessary, but by taking the high road, she avoided having me dragged into the mud, which kept me from making an a** of myself in front of the judge and, most importantly, in front of my children. What's more, Karen's efforts helped my ex-wife and I both save face, so we can help make better decisions for our children. Because the truth is that although I'm not married to my ex-wife any more, she's still the mother of our children and we have to deal with each other on a regular basis. Had we proceeded like I originally wanted, I'm sure that would be intolerable, and our children would be the ones who ultimately pay the price. I am grateful to Karen for helping me see that.

Clearly getting divorced is a bad time in your life, but with Karen's help it went more smoothly then I could have ever dreamed!!!

Thanks to Karen's skill and caring, our settlement allows my daughter to maintain a relationship with her mother while having a secure place to call home. Outcomes like this may be a commonplace for you, but it will make a lifetime of difference for my daughter.