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In this client story, divorce attorney and certified family mediator A.J. Grossman shares how he helped a client navigate a difficult divorce involving alimony, child support, parenting time, and a beloved family pet.

To protect the client’s privacy, identifying details have been omitted.

Client Story

My client was a wife and mother who was experiencing significant difficulties throughout her divorce. Her husband refused to provide the financial support she needed, including support for their children, who lived with her most of the time.

The children were teenagers, and as any parent knows, raising teenagers can be expensive. Providing for their everyday needs required substantial financial resources, but my client wasn’t receiving the support she needed.

There was also a family pet involved. The dog had belonged to my client before the marriage, but her husband refused to let her see or spend time with the dog.

To make matters even more challenging, her husband was self-employed and refused to provide accurate financial information.

Despite our efforts to negotiate a settlement, we were unable to reach an agreement. Ultimately, we had to pursue a trial in front of a judge.

Family Pet and Parenting Time

During the trial, the judge addressed the husband’s conduct directly, expressing serious concerns about his approach to parenting.

The judge’s comments reinforced the importance of putting the children’s needs first rather than making an already difficult divorce more contentious.

The final decision addressed several important issues affecting my client and her family, including parenting time and arrangements for the family dog.

My client received the majority of the parenting time with the children. The court also established an arrangement for the dog to spend time with her at her home when the children were staying with her.

Although pets can become an additional source of conflict during divorce, this case demonstrates how important these family concerns can be to the people involved.

Going to Trial

After hearing the evidence, the judge awarded my client alimony for the duration of the marriage, along with the child support she was entitled to receive.

The judge also addressed the husband’s lack of financial transparency. Because he had not provided reliable financial information about his self-employment income, the judge attributed an income level to him consistent with the evidence and arguments presented during the trial.

Ultimately, my client received a favorable outcome on the issues that mattered to her and her children.

I remember how rewarding it felt to receive the judge’s decision. The preparation, attention to detail, and dedication required throughout the case had all contributed to giving my client the strongest possible opportunity for a favorable result.

Conclusion: Making a Positive Difference for Families

This case is one of the reasons I practice law and why I chose to become a divorce attorney.

My goal is to help families resolve their divorces as amicably as possible. When an agreement cannot be reached, however, it’s important to be prepared to advocate for your client’s interests in court.

Helping someone navigate a difficult time in their life and work toward a better outcome for their family is incredibly meaningful to me.

I hope you found this story informative and helpful.

I’m A.J. Grossman, divorce lawyer and certified family mediator with Leap Frog Divorce. Thank you for spending time with me today.

Be well, and have a wonderful day!