Sherea Vitelli’s Legal Blog

Recently a client came to my office for a modification of child support.  This then turned into a modification for custody.  Ultimately he opened a can of worms with his ex wife.  He decided that it was his best alternate to lie to his attorney when asked if his child support was current.  Well it was not and believe me, I check. 

Once the modification was filed, the ex decided to go strictly by the guidelines of the possession period.  He called me up and asked why he cannot get more time.  Generally, I replied because she does not have to, the orders are clear.  He could not understand how she could just stop the extra visitation which was outside the order.  I quickly informed him that he just had her served to reduce child support and she is extremely upset.  All was understood by the client.  Then he decided during all of this to place the suit on hold.  Next thing I know he got married because he got another girl pregnant.  Well this really upset his ex and he now was going to have to pay less child support because now he had another child on the way.  As if life could not get more complicated, he ended up getting a quick divorce and tried to get back with his ex.  When that did not work out, the two ex’s became friends and his reduction in child support ended up becoming an enforcement for child support.  The client lied to his attorney on several occasions.  He lied about his payments and the money in his accounts.  When discovery was done, he avoided his attorney only creating more problems and bigger legal bills.  In the end, the attorney withdrew from his case and he ultimately had to pay the child support.

All in all don’t lie to your attorney because we cannot protect you.  Not everything is dramatic and can easily be fixed or covered if it is known a head of time.  Here at Garg and Associates, I take pride in my cases and it is refreshing to have clients just come clean in the beginning.  We ask questions for a specific reason.  Take a good lesson, don’t lie to your attorney.  We cannot tell anyone your secrets due to the Attorney/Client privilege.  Take advantage of it.