My name is Virginia Sirera and I’ve spent decades working exclusively as a family law attorney. Divorce and the breakups of non-married relationships can be very painful and the issues that arise can be the most difficult to resolve. I often described being a divorce lawyer as “walking with people through the worst time of their lives.” Quite frankly, it was exhausting for both my clients, and myself.

People going through divorce, custody disputes or fights over property, while also grieving the end of a romantic relationship, very often feel like they are at the “end of their rope.” And many people are doing all of this while entering the workforce after a period of unemployment, or changing jobs and suddenly raising kids without the other partner alongside you.

Frequently there is a move involved to a new house or apartment; or getting accustomed to living in a new space without your partner. It is just a very difficult experience.

Money is often tight – so many clients have said to me, “there’s barely enough money to run one household and now that same amount of money is supposed to run 2 households?” And of course, in addition to processing their own emotions, clients often have to shoulder the heartache of their children’s emotions. It’s hard to manage the feelings of children when you, yourself, are hurting.

And despite the fact that we have some of the best judges and hearing officers presiding over Family Court in Louisiana, it is not uncommon for court dates to be continued and for matters to be kicked down the road for many months.

And the longer all this lasts, the more money is spent – money you desperately need to move on with your life. Not only that, but you and your ex become more and more weary of the process and wary of each other’s motives.