If you ask Mark Askey, attorney and owner of a Divorce With Dignity business serving the Los Angeles area, what his work is all about, he’ll tell you that his job is to take some of the stress and anxiety about the divorce process off the shoulders of his clients so they can focus on moving forward with their lives. We asked if he would share with our readers a little about what led him to this work, and how he goes about reducing the stress and anxiety of divorce for his clientele.
Mark, what drew you to join the Divorce With Dignity Network?
I had been working as an attorney for 15 year in other states and also did legal work for the federal government. When I moved to California I wanted to focus on work that involved things I’m passionate about, things I really enjoy doing. I stumbled across an ad for Divorce With Dignity and liked the concept because it represents all those things I enjoy, such as helping people through difficult times by working with them through the divorce process and taking care of the details. You can think of me as someone akin to a wedding planner, whose job it is to plan and facilitate a wedding, and make sure things go smoothly. I am a full-service divorce facilitator, helping divorcing couples work out all the details of their divorce agreement, providing guidance through the process, getting them the resources they need, and taking care of the legal paperwork for them.
How do you accomplish your goal of reducing the stress and anxiety of divorce for your clients?
Of course, part of their stress comes from all the emotions attached to divorce, but a lot of it is anxiety about the unknown. Most people are not aware of what’s involved in the legal process, and what their options are. I take care of the “unknowns” for them. I want to focus as much on the details of the life changes going on as on the legal paperwork. For example, taking a household and dividing it into two households is not an easy thing to do. Finding a new home, moving, changing the kids’ schools, helping the kids deal with their emotions – these are all difficult things, but I can facilitate that process and also connect them with other experts who can help them with their specific circumstances. Whatever their situational problems are, I can help them resolve them.
What additional professional services to you often refer your clients to for assistance?
I’ve connected some of my clients with experts in real estate, insurance, and therapy, to name a few. On some occasions I would refer clients to professional mediators. I personally have a lot of experience in mediation and negotiation, and although I can use those skills to help my clients work out some of their issues, if they need serious mediation I refer them to someone else. The reason for this is that I want to take a more holistic view as I work with my clients, and putting myself in the position of a professional mediator would change that relationship. If all they need is a mediator, then I can do that, but otherwise it would change the focus away from my being their full-service divorce planner and facilitator.
If you are considering divorce and would like to have someone help you through the process with the least amount of stress and anxiety possible, contact your local Divorce With Dignity specialist as soon as possible.
The author of this blog is not an attorney and the information contained in these blogs should not be considered legal advice. The information provided here is based on the experience of the author and some of her clients whose actual names are not mentioned. Do not hesitate to seek the advice of an attorney if you have any legal questions.
