As a family law attorney, I fight over major life-changing issues. I help clients transition their families into their new normal. I help parents fight for their children. I’ve worked on high stakes international kidnaping cases. I help victims leave abusive relationships, which may have helped to save their lives. I help children who have been molested. At The Manely Finn, we deal with really major topics.
But sometimes, I fight over fish.
My paralegal rarely bothers me while I’m at lunch, but the other day, I received an urgent call about fish visitation. I got back from lunch to long string of emails that revolved around a heated debate over how much time is reasonable for the other party to visit her fish at the home that had been awarded to my client. Thankfully, we were able to reach an agreement without requiring the court’s intervention.
Another time, I arrived at work to review a flun-y of emails regarding lice shampoo. The prices had agreed that Mom would pay for grooming and hygiene products and Dad would pay for medical expenses. The parties were arguing over who had to pay for the lice shampoo and whether it would fall under hygiene or medical.
I know of a case in which a client had taken an inventory of the home and wanted to fight over everything, including the number of pencils each party would receive. Who got the sharpened ones is what I need to know!
When arguing over pencils, lice shampoo, and how much time you get to spend with fish, it’s probably a good idea to try to reach an agreement on your own. There’s no reason to have heated (and costly) arguments over small matters. One day, the lawyers will walk out of your lives and you’ll have to deal with your ex without help.
And when that day comes, you will have to sort out visitation with the fish all on your own.
Jennifer McCall