The agreements between athletes and sports agents are often very complicated and even abusive. A lawyer will help review your contract and determine the best way to proceed. Your attorney will make sure you are terminating your contract in an acceptable manner. Be sure to hire a lawyer that is not connected to your agent or any of his or her other clients. In addition, if you have a manager as well as an agent, make sure you can continue your relationship with your manager. Often, managers and agents have close ties. If you fire one, you may have to fire the other. To hire a lawyer, talk with other athletes about their experiences and recommendations. If you cannot get a personal referral, visit your state bar website. The state bar will run a lawyer referral service, which usually involves answering a few questions about your legal problem. After you answer the questions, you will receive contact information for qualified attorneys in your area. Your contract with your agent will set out the reasons the agreement can be terminated. This clause is usually termed the "termination clause." Termination clauses take many forms and each one is different. Review your termination clause to determine how the relationship can be ended. Some examples of termination clauses include: "You agree and understand that the relationship is at-will." In this type of clause, any party can be fired at any time. No notice or reason is necessary. "You agree that either party may terminate this agreement with 90 days notice. If the termination is for cause, either party may terminate the agreement without notice." With this clause, you must notify your agent 90 days before you fire them, unless you are firing them "for cause." For cause is usually defined within the contract or is defined by law. Cause often includes abuse, fraud, or theft. You need to tell your agent why you are firing him or her. Accordingly, you should take some time to sit down and write out the reasons you want to end the relationship. Perhaps you think the agent has not gotten you enough money. Or your agent made a huge mistake which cost you a spot on a team. Whatever the reason, you should write it down. You might be tempted to fire your agent with an email because you want to avoid talking face-to-face. However, you should fire your agent in the same manner that you communicated with your agent. For example, if you and your agent communicated mostly over the phone, then you should fire your agent face-to-face or in a phone call. Also schedule a meeting if you have had a long relationship with your agent. You shouldn't end a long business relationship by sending an email or tweet. That would reflect poorly on you. Call your agent and schedule a meeting. State that you want to discuss something important. Your agent might be surprised or even upset that you are ending the relationship. Tempers can flare, but it is important that you try to remain calm. By calming yourself, you can calm your agent. Remember the following: Try to sit comfortably, using an open-body style. Don't cross your arms or legs, or angle your body away from your agent. Whenever your agent speaks, make eye contact and nod to show that you are listening. Don't interrupt. You can summarize what your agent has said. This is important, because people want to be heard. If your agent is angry, say, "I know you are angry. But this is best for me." However, make sure not to say, "I know what you're feeling" or "You'll be happy to be rid of me." Let your agent be angry without pretending to know what he or she is feeling. It is crucial that you actually say the words, "I am firing you" or "I want to end our business relationship." Your agent needs to understand that the relationship is over and that there isn't a chance for the agent to fix something. Don't just say, "I'm really unhappy" if you want to fire someone. The agent might think there is a chance to repair the relationship if all you say is you are "unhappy." Instead, cut to the chase. Say, "Let me get to the point. I have some bad news. I've decided to end our business relationship. You are no longer my agent." Always use the past tense to signal that the decision is final. After firing your agent, you should summarize the conversation in a letter so that you have adequate documentary proof of what you discussed. You don't have to produce a transcript of the conversation, but you should hit the major points. You can start the letter by writing, "I'm writing this letter as a follow-up to our conversation on Saturday, when I ended our business relationship." You should also address any ongoing work that the agent has been performing for you. For example, the agent might have been trying to negotiate an endorsement deal. You will need access to all notes and paperwork related to the negotiations. In your letter, you should request that the agent hand over a copy of your file, so that you can get your new agent up to speed. If you believe your contract was abusive or your agent violated a fiduciary duty owed to you, stole money from you, or engaged in any other reprehensible activity, contact your union if you are part of one. As part of your union membership, you will receive help from your union when something happens. In the case of a bad agent, you may be able to prevent that agent from representing anyone else in the union. In addition, you may be able to file a union complaint.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Hire a lawyer. Review your contract. Write down your reasons for firing your agent. Schedule a meeting with your agent. Stay calm. Say that you are firing the agent. Follow up with a letter. Contact your union.

Article: Talking about separation is not a fun subject, but get to the point rather than trying to dress up the discussion. You might say something like "Mom and Dad aren't getting along very well anymore. We'll be taking some time apart and living separately." Offer a soft and empathetic tone as you deliver the news. Don't be defensive or accusatory about your spouse, either. Even if there has been obvious tension in your marriage, your kids don't need to know all the ugly details. Simply say what you need to say and keep the focus on them, not on you. For instance, it would be entirely inappropriate to mention cheating, abuse, or financial troubles. It will only complicate matters if you introduce your children to adult problems. Instead of going into complex details, keep it short and simple. Say, "Mom and Dad will both feel happier by living apart." Kids may react to the news of divorce in many different ways. Your role should be to reassure them that, although things are changing in your marriage and household, your parenting role stays the same. Both parents should convey that you love your children and will be there for them as best you can. For instance, remind them "This is happening because we can't get along. You did nothing wrong. We love you and we always will. We won't be living together, but we will both be taking care of you." Most children will immediately wonder about how a separation impacts their lives, so address this as soon as possible. Give them some basic information about how their lives will change due to this new reality. For example, you might say, "Dad will continue to stay here with you guys, and Mom will be leaving. I'll be getting an apartment nearby and you will spend weekends with me." Your child may suggest reasons they think you are splitting. To enhance their trust, don't lie. Don't go into details either. Agree that the suggested behavior is a part of the problem, but that there are other issues as well. Make sure you keep any explanations appropriate for your child's age. For instance, younger children of preschool age may think, because one parent is leaving, that they are leaving them, not the other parent. Correct these misconceptions and reassure them it's not their fault. Older children may have fantasies of getting their parents back together. You might validate their intentions, but let them know that these decisions are out of their control. Your child may have ideas of who they want to live with, but you should explain that there are other factors in this decision. Try to stick to the custody plan that both parents have developed together.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Be straightforward and brief. Keep the details to a minimum. Be reassuring. Describe how it will affect them logistically. Answer questions honestly but age-appropriately.