In the heat of a contested divorce, it may be tempting to be on the telephone with the attorney daily to blow off steam and seek advice. In most cases, that will not be an effective use of the attorney's time or the client's money. Usually it is best to save up a batch of inquires and then discuss them with the attorney. If something urgent arises, such as the other party changing the residence of the children or hiding major assets, the attorney should be notified promptly. Clients need to understand that attorneys are not always able to take client's calls immediately.
Attorneys often are busy with trials or meetings with other clients.
Often, a client can pass on an inquiry or piece of information to the attorney's secretary or paralegal, who will discuss the matter with the attorney and then call the client back. It is important for the client to be honest with the attorney. A client usually is worse off when adverse information comes up for the first time in the middle of a trial or the middle of negotiations since the attorney may not be fully prepared to respond to the disclosures. Family law attorneys hear many secrets of people's private lives. The attorney is not likely to be shocked or upset by the client's disclosure.