Chloe Sydney Wolman

It is unfortunate when a client has unrealistic expectations about their divorce. It is part of my job to manage those expectations and explain to all clients what the law is and how it will affect their case. This necessarily involves telling clients things they don’t want to hear, for example, “yes, you will have to pay child support,” or “no, you will not be able to keep the house.” I provide clients with the full text of case law and statutes so they have the opportunity to review the law themselves and digest the reality of what I impart to them. I even encourage clients to seek alternate counsel if they are unsatisfied. On one notable occasion, I begged our forensic accountant to do work for free as a personal favor to demonstrate financial realities to a client. Our goal at DWL is to “lead with the law,” and as such, I cannot ethically take positions which do not have legal or factual bases. There are, unfortunately, many attorneys in Los Angeles who will charge a client and tell that person what they want to hear. Again, this is not an ethical approach. We are committed to our clients and hand holding is part of what we do for them—but if a client’s expectations are unrealistic, we make sure to always be truthful and honest.