Portfolio – Attorney Tip for Fathers – Conflicts of Interest

In order to “lawyer-up,” you must know something about attorney conflicts of interest.  Otherwise, a legally sophisticated mother can prevent you from having the lawyer of your choice or any legal representation at all.

In the family law world, a conflict of interest can mean that the lawyer has been contacted by, and heard the story of, one party to an action for divorce or custody.

Because the attorney has had access to confidential information from mother, he/she cannot represent the father.

Sometimes, one party in a divorce or family court situation will deliberately contact many lawyers just to create a conflict of interest situation.

If this happens to you, you are out of luck.

If you qualify financially for a free attorney, I have known of cases where mother contacted the legal aid service first.  Their lawyers then could not represent father.

This occurs in divorce courts.  In family courts, a private lawyer can be assigned to a financially limited parent where children are involved.

So, act quickly when you realize that you need to lawyer-up!