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Reasons Not To Use Alabama Family Law Center

I have a clear vision of what I do well. I help people to take control and stay in control of their divorce, so they can spend as little time and money as possible and suffer as little pain as possible. Because my vision is crisp, I also realize clearly what I don't do well.

I don't work to save marriages. If you and your spouse are working to save your marriage, I applaud that and affirm that, but you shouldn't do it in my office. In a very real sense, a decision to work with Alabama Family Law Center is a decision to move toward divorce. This doesn't mean you and your spouse couldn't change your mind later on. It does mean, though, that I won't be working to save your marriage. If you want me to, you'll be frustrated, and so will I.

If You and Your Spouse Are at War

My work is focused on helping people when they have some degree of cooperation with their spouse. If you and your spouse aren't talking with each other, you've lost control of your divorce, and all you need is a good gladiator to go forth and do bloody battle on your behalf. You need somebody who knows the judges and the clerks, who knows all the local procedures and customs. I don't do that. I spend most of my time in my office meeting with clients, not in the courthouse. I'm no gladiator; if you try to turn me into one, you'll be frustrated, and so will I.

If You Dislike Voicemail

I've structured Alabama Family Law Center with one staff person -- me. I don't need any other staff, because I've designed systems that allow me to produce all the paperwork my clients need in real time during sessions. This allows me to deliver quality service and keep my overhead low. It also gives both of us confidence that your private business will stay private.

When you call and I'm in session, you won't get a live person. You'll get my voicemail, which is totally confidential. If you tell me what you need, I'll gather the information and call you back (my covenant is to get back to you within two business days). Even if you're busy when I call back, I can leave the information on your answering machine.

On the other hand, if you simply say, "call me," you and I may play phone tag several times before we actually get down to business. This will cost you money, because I will charge you for my time.

If you don't mind leaving a substantive message on voicemail and getting a substantive message back from me, you'll be able to work with me efficiently and effectively, and you'll be glad you used me. If you expect a live response whenever you call, or if you want to use a beeper, you'll be frustrated, and so will I.

If You Need a Payment Plan or a Free Introductory Consultation

Sometimes people who don't understand how my practice is different from that of other divorce lawyers ask me for a payment plan or for an introductory consultation. I don't offer either one. Here's why.

There certainly are some lawyers who offer a free introductory consultation for divorce. They do so on the assumption that if they take the case, they will receive a hefty retainer. On average, they figure, they will take enough cases - that is, take enough hefty retainers - to make the time worthwhile. I don't ever ask for a retainer. I just don't believe in them. I'm totally comfortable spending 20 minutes with a person if that's all the time they need from me, and I have no interest in trying to persuade them to pay me more. As a result, I spend far less time with each client than a typical divorce lawyer, on average a little more than two hours per client. If I offered a free consultation for each client, I would be giving away a third of my income. That would get me in trouble with my wife. If I have to choose between getting in trouble with my wife and disappointing you, I'll choose you every time.

Payment plans are an administrative burden. If I offered payment plans, I would have to increase my staff or my hourly rate, or both, which would increase the cost of using me for the rest of my clients. I don't want to do that. Instead, I accept Visa and MasterCard for payment.

If you're willing to pay as, if and when you need my services, we'll be able to work well together. If you're not, you'll be frustrated, and so will I.

If You Go For the "Marble/Mahogany" Look

There's a simple explanation why lawyers spend thousands of dollars for furniture and fixtures that look almost grotesquely clunky: many clients like it. Those dark wood chairs, oversized chandeliers, and brass lamps make us feel that the lawyer is secure -- has "made it." Lawyers also do it because other lawyers do it, and lawyers are consummate conformists.

I can't stand that stuff. I had my fill of it when I was a corporate lawyer, and I hope I never have to work in that kind of world again. My office is strictly functional: a couple of rocking chairs, a conference table and chairs, some books, some of my favorite toys, and the shadowy memories of a plant named Rosco that I slowly tortured and killed.

If you're looking for casual functionality, we'll get along fine. If you use me and expect an office like Perry Mason's, you'll be frustrated, and so will I.

Required Statement

Lee Borden, Lawyer and Divorce Mediator. Alabama Family Law Center is a private law firm. It is neither a public legal aid agency nor a section or subcommittee of the Alabama State Bar. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.