Hiring a Danville Divorce Lawyer? Skip These 5 Mistakes

by Whipple Mercado | Nov 11, 2021 | Divorce

Divorce is never an easy time for any family, especially when emotions are high. Divorces can vary in stressors depending on the situation, but no matter what your family’s individual circumstances are, it’s important to protect yourself financially by hiring a divorce lawyer. Divorce lawyers specialize in helping people through this life-changing event and are able to guide you through all steps of the process, whether that be filing or representing you during court proceedings. Divorce attorneys help their clients understand what they need to do to move forward with their lives. This article will help you avoid making common mistakes when hiring a divorce lawyer so you can have a smoother transition into your new future! In order to provide you peace of mind during this difficult time, read these tips. And if you need a female divorce attorney or San Ramon divorce lawyer, our contact information is below.

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Hiring a Danville Divorce Lawyer

Hiring a Lawyer is Key

Divorce lawyers aren’t just for the rich and famous. Divorce is a strenuous process that can be filled with challenges, but no matter what your financial situation is, divorce lawyers are there to help you get through it all. Divorce attorneys specialize in helping people get through these tough times. They understand what you’re going through and will be able to give you sound advice on how best to proceed.

Do Your Research

Divorce is not easy to talk about for anyone involved. However, divorce lawyers work with families every day, so they understand this. If you feel like your lawyer isn’t making an effort or is not connecting with you, then maybe it’s time to find someone else! Divorce lawyers are there for YOU, so make sure their personality meshes well with yours. This is important to do before hiring them so you know they will help you through this difficult time.

Make Sure the Experience is There

Divorce law can oftentimes seem confusing, but that’s why divorce attorneys exist! Divorce lawyers should be well versed in the laws within their state and able to give sound advice on how best to proceed. They specialize in this area of law, so ask as many questions as you need to in order to fully understand the process. Divorce isn’t something that anyone looks forward to, but if it’s unavoidable it’s always best to be well informed and look out for your own interests when involved with court proceedings.

Understand this is An Emotionally Charged Time For you and Your family

Divorce can cause damage to families if not handled correctly, both emotionally and financially. Divorces can affect children negatively now and even into adulthood, so it’s important for families to do what they can now in order to protect themselves later. Even though this is a time of transition for you divorce lawyers are here to work with YOU on getting through it and getting on with your life.

Know What Services You Can Get

Like any other legal proceeding, it’s important that during a divorce you know your options for support! If there are certain things that need to be done or forms that have to be filled out, make sure your divorce lawyer handles those for you. It’s understandable that things like alimony (spousal maintenance/maintenance) and child support issues can be overwhelming, but they’re done every day by attorneys who specialize in these types of cases! Divorce lawyers help their clients understand what they need to do to move forward with their lives.

We Are Here For You

If you need support during this time, contact Whipple & Mercado today for more information or assistance. Our team can answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on navigating through this tough time in life. Call us at (925) 344-5050

Divorce

Family

Children

Tammy J. Mercado

Tammy J. Mercado has a passion for helping her clients achieve their desired results. She listens and she personally and promptly responds to your texts, emails and phone calls. She offers real solutions to your legal matters. Tammy will carefully evaluate the legal issues in your case, provide you with sound advice and offer you the pros and cons of each possible scenario so you can meet your legal objectives. She encourages clients to participate in their own matters. Tammy believes that client participation is key to a positive result and to keeping attorney fees as low as possible. You can be sure that she will offer you straightforward, sound and honest advice in a professional manner, with integrity and excellence.

Before opening her own law practice, Tammy worked for many high-volume law firms. This gave her extensive, diversified experience in hundreds of complex family law cases as well as civil matters. She is admitted to practice law before all courts in California and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. Tammy is also a member of the Rotary Club of Danville.

Tammy is a graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix. Tammy is also a licensed real estate broker, which comes in handy for valuing property in family law cases as well as real estate matters in the civil arena.

During her off time, Tammy is an avid sailor who crews and races on various boats in the San Francisco Bay. Tammy approaches each case as she would any yacht race: by assessing the other’s strengths, weaknesses, experience, equipment, history and reputation. She is a member of the American Sailing Association, and she is a certified Coast Guard Auxiliary member.

HONORS AND AWARDS
Tammy was selected to receive the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” Award in 2017 for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.

Tammy is currently serving as Danville Rotary President for 2017 through 2019.

Mary C. Whipple, CFLS

Mary C. Whipple opened her first law practice in the summer of 2008. She previously was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements and domestic-violence restraining orders. Certified by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, she is a specialist in the area of family law. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract and employment disputes, to name a few.

Mary also previously worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny & Meyers in San Francisco while simultaneously volunteering at the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, representing defendants in unlawful detainer actions. The program acknowledged Mary with an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award in 2006 for her efforts in providing access to justice.

A seventh-generation Californian, Mary is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in criminology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. She is a member of the State Bar of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

In addition, Mary is active in her community as a member of the Ambassador’s Committee for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce; a volunteer at the Contra Costa County and Alameda County Superior Courts, where she assists self-represented litigants in completing their divorces; and a member of Divorce Angel, where she provides information regarding family law matters to members of the community. Since 2007 she has been a volunteer judge for Alameda and Contra Costa County’s Annual High School Moot Court Competition. She is also a member of the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club. She was awarded the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Person of the Year; and a graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership San Ramon Valley.

CERTIFIED LEGAL SPECIALTIES
Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization