We won…but it is not over yet.

We won…but it is not over yet. Every legal drama would end at this point. In the real world the transcript of the judge’s ruling will be drafted into the final decree. Then the terms must be implemented and enforced. That is the project our client and the Rice Team will undertake in the weeks to come. And so we get ready for the next case, hoping justice will be as sure, but tempered with the knowledge that it seldom is the case.

We won… the ruling, but our client won more.

It took two-and-a-half years, almost three weeks in trial, and two weeks in deliberation for the judge to rule and do justice as he saw it to be. The court could not restore the parties to a happy marriage but its ruling vindicated out client’s good name, provided for the best interest of their child by adopting our parenting plan, and sparred our client as much as possible the financial consequences of the divorce. In the trial we just finished, we had an amazing client who recovered from the devastation of her spouse’s betrayal and moved from a stay-at-home mom to a professional in private practice. She leaves this part of her life with greater insight into herself and her capabilities, restored feelings of self-worth, acceptance of the events of her life and finally, a feeling of peace. This ruling left our client with a new sense of independence, a better appreciation for her child and her family, and a new outlook on her life. Lessons learned in a divorce case are expensive but they last a long time. No matter how skilled an attorney is or how well-prepared a case is, having a great client makes a world of difference. More to come…

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice's Introduction to Divorce in Tennessee

We won... but it was expensive.

We won... but it was expensive.

Divorces can be simple, if you’re lucky.  In this case, the judge found it to be the most litigated case he has seen in over 40 years of practice as an attorney and as a judge.  The opposing party went through five different attorneys at four different law firms, including a brief stint pro se (representing himself). 

The issues at trial ranged from simple hearsay objections to complex financial analysis to parenting issues - everything you can imagine, and a few you can’t. Two experts testified regarding parenting issues and, in a cliff-hanger, the judge upheld forensic CPA Rob Vance’s status as an expert to testify to financial issues.

The costs associated with such a contested case are devastating, not only financially but emotionally as well.  As my father said to me, “A good settlement beats a good trial.”  In this case the money spent on attorney fees alone would have made for a good settlement.

More to come…