For anyone in the middle of a divorce case – which I imagine is most of the readers of this blog – reaching the finish line of your case may seem like an impossible dream. I am here to tell you it happens every day and it will happen for you. What is not often discussed is what happens once your Judgment of Dissolution is filed.
Notice of Withdrawal
Your attorney will prepare a document titled Notice of Withdrawal of Attorney of Record. This is a form that puts the court, the other party, and the world at large on notice that you are no longer represented by an attorney. These forms can only be filed when a case has concluded and gone to Judgment or final order.
Despite the name, your attorney is not abandoning you; in fact your attorney is trying to protect you by filing the form. Family law is unique in that we have post Judgment motions and discovery. These can be requests to modify support orders or to change child custody orders. If a motion of this type is filed post Judgment, if I am your attorney of record, then it is possible to serve that motion on me and my office. If I have moved offices or retired by that point, you may never know a motion was filed and could end up in trouble or without support because you did not even know there was a hearing.