"Location, location, location,” that’s IT in real estate…Hiring a divorce attorney? The three rules are experience, experience, experience…

Experience – the knowledge of marital law, especially in your jurisdiction, and how to apply it. Experience – knowing how to deal with every circumstance, whether it’s standard procedure, or something from left field. Experience – the “people skills” to corral even the wackiest behavior of opponents (or clients!).

After years of marital un-rest, the divorce papers finally materialized and I was determined to hire the best. Mercifully, there were no custody matters; financial issues dominated the agenda – a hefty inheritance, pension awards, health and other insurances, plus the usual perks of a mid-life, well-lived: A modest investment portfolio, a home on the beach on Long Island, a house in the country, a boat, luxury cars, and the gem, a one-bedroom, pied-à-terre apartment in the heart of NYC’s Greenwich Village.

My wife opted to re-hire a general-purpose attorney she had used is a previous low-budget divorce. Big mistake. Carl Wand, Esq. was the 1998 Yankees vs. a Triple-A, team. More than once, after a conference or appearance in court, Wand came to me saying “this guy doesn’t know this,” or “he’s overlooked such-and-such.” My wife’s counsel was simply over-matched. Put bluntly, Carl and his team ‘hammered’ the opposition. In the end, both parties got what was coming to them, but to even a casual observer, I was the “winner.” (assuming there’s any WINNER in a divorce…)

When hiring counsel, I cannot overstate the value of an efficient, responsive, support staff. As with any legal proceeding, there were lots of phone calls, emails, etc. But Wand and Goody is different…kind of old-school. My calls to the office were always answered by a REAL person. Not some intern or receptionist, but an informed staffer that expedited a resolution to my concerns. In fact, my calls were usually routed immediately to Mr. Wand’s personal assistant. In these days of voice mails, e-mails, text messages, and endless phone-trees, I find this remarkable and reassuring.

A final note: After an equitable split on the sale of the L.I. home, and a few dollars exchanged, I ended-up with free-and-clear-ownership of the Greenwich Village apartment. To any New Yorker, that’s a win-win.

I was referred to Mr. Wand by a family friend a couple of years ago as I was seeking Sole Legal custody of my grand nephew. A couple of months later I was awarded custody of the child. Recently I again, contacted Mr. Wand to find out if he would handle an adoption as I now was seeking to petition the court for adoption. Mr. Wand and his staff were professional, compassionate and sympathetic and always available to answer any concerns I was having through the process. Again, a few months later the Adoption decree was signed by the Judge. I am forever grateful to Mr. Wand and his staff for the outstanding job.

I've been using Carl Wand, Esq for 16 years for multiple business matters. Forming LLCs, negotiating building purchases, negotiating leases with tenants, bank closings on purchases, everything business related. Carl is a pragmatic, straight shooter who helps you get from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of difficulty.
Law suits are sometimes necessary and Carl represented me when I had to sue in a dispute over a property purchase. Just watching him slowly and methodically dismantle the owners at the pre-trial deposition was amazing to see, fun to watch and they settled the next day!! I wish I had video taped it!!!