Family law attorneys want to help our clients, but if we’re totally honest, it can sometimes feel like herding a large group of cats during a hail storm while being attacked by rabid geese who just happen to be guarding their nests. Too far? You get the idea. The point is, family lawyers are professionals who specialize in matters of family law; they do not exist to manage your time for you, respond to midnight text messages, or provide/organize therapeutic services. Would you like your divorce process to go as smoothly as possible? Here are12 tips that will save both you and your attorney a lot of time and frustration.

While there might not be a law that prohibits dating during a divorce, is it really a wise thing to do? You might feel as free as a (quarantined) bird and ready to maintain a 6-foot distance with a new love interest, but according to the law, a person is married until the divorce is finalized (whomp, whomp). North Carolina requires a one year separation before a couple can file for divorce, so even if you feel single and ready to mingle, it’s important to approach any budding relationship with a large degree of caution.

Have you ever driven somewhere and then wondered how you got there? Did you yield to oncoming traffic? Did you use your turn signal? WERE THOSE LIGHTS EVEN GREEN?!