When you picture a divorce attorney, you probably imagine someone in a suit, ready to fight tooth and nail for your rights. What you don’t picture is Gordon Gekko—the slick, money-hungry Wall Street shark from the 1987 classic Wall Street. But here’s the reality: many divorce attorneys are less like trusted allies and more like financial predators circling your bank account.
Divorce is big business.
It’s not about fairness. It’s not about justice. And it’s certainly not about closure. Divorce, for too many attorneys, is about one thing: keeping the meter running while they siphon cash from your future.
The Gordon Gekko Mentality
Gordon Gekko famously said, “Greed is good.” And in the divorce industry, greed is the fuel that keeps the system alive. Attorneys know one painful truth: the longer your divorce drags out, the more money they make.
Think about it. Every phone call, every email, every motion filed in court—it all goes straight onto your invoice. When your emotions are high, when fear is in the driver’s seat, you’re vulnerable. And they know it.
That’s why divorce attorneys are notorious for stirring conflict instead of solving it. Fighting earns billable hours. Settlement earns them nothing.
Why Your Divorce Attorney Wants War, Not Peace
Ever notice how quickly some attorneys dismiss the idea of mediation or collaboration? They tell you mediation is “weak” or that settling means “selling yourself short.” In reality, what they’re really saying is: If you settle too quickly, I don’t get paid.
Your pain is their paycheck.
Every court date is money in their pocket. Every drawn-out argument over who gets the couch or the dog is another deposit toward their next vacation home.
Protecting Yourself from the Sharks
So, how do you survive in a world where your supposed “ally” is secretly rooting for the fight to never end?
- Read every agreement carefully. Buried in retainer agreements are clauses that guarantee the attorney gets paid, no matter what. If you don’t understand it, get a second set of eyes.
- Demand transparency. Ask for detailed billing statements. If you see vague charges like “case review” or “strategy session,” push back.
- Don’t confuse aggression with advocacy. A loud, aggressive attorney might look like a fighter, but often they’re just milking the drama.
- Set boundaries. Your emotions will make you want to call or email your lawyer constantly. But every minute of communication costs you. Keep interactions brief, clear, and limited.
- Empower yourself. Knowledge is power, and the less you rely on your attorney for every small decision, the less they can bill you.
The Real Enemy
The painful truth is this: your spouse may not even be your biggest enemy during a divorce. The real enemy is a system designed to reward conflict and punish cooperation.
When divorce attorneys channel their inner Gordon Gekko, you become less of a client and more of a cash cow. And unless you recognize it early, you’ll find yourself broke, bitter, and wondering how the person you trusted to protect you ended up profiting the most from your pain.
Final Word
Divorce is already a battlefield—you don’t need mercenaries cashing in on your wounds. Be smart. Be skeptical. And above all, be prepared to protect yourself not only from your ex, but from the very people who claim to fight on your behalf.
Because in a world where greed runs the show, the only one looking out for your future—is you.
Want to know the 10 secrets divorce attorneys never want you to learn? Get your copy of Cynthia Wollersheim’s book, Men Don’t Pay…Where They Don’t Lay, and arm yourself with the truth.