Woman Endures Double Betrayal In Divorce As Sister's Husband, Serving As Ex's Lawyer, Violates Ethical Lines
"I found out a week later that my sister’s husband was going to be his solicitor."
Divorce can be a particularly challenging chapter in family relationships. It involves not only severing a partnership but often a reshuffling of family relationships and loyalties.
When divorce involves family connections, the emotional toll can be amplified, leaving individuals feeling betrayed and isolated. This Reddit story begins with a jarring revelation.
OP, already grappling with the emotional upheaval of asking for a divorce, discovers that her sister's husband, a solicitor, will represent her ex. This situation is rife with conflict of interest and a painful blend of personal and professional boundaries being crossed.
OP's sense of betrayal is understandable as she navigates a situation where family loyalty seems compromised. At a family dinner, tensions reach a boiling point.
The sister's husband, the solicitor, repeatedly refers to the OP as her ex's wife, even suggesting that she should stay married to avoid financial loss. This patronizing and unprofessional behavior ignites the OP's anger, leading to a public confrontation where she calls him a "real piece of shit."
The outburst, raw and unfiltered, occurs in front of his daughters, adding another layer of complexity to the strained family dynamics. His aftermath is fraught with tension.
OP's sister is angry, not just at the public nature of the confrontation but at the impact on her children. OP, meanwhile, is left to wrestle with the guilt of her outburst and the lingering feelings of betrayal and frustration.
OP requested a divorce from her ex two months ago, and now she found out that her sister's husband would be his lawyer.
OP attended a family dinner where her sister's husband gave unsolicited advice about staying married, which led to a heated confrontation where OP called him a piece of shit in front of everyone.
OP's sister got mad when OP criticized her husband in front of her kids.
[ADVERTISEMENT]
OP needs to maintain distance from the BIL.
Inappropriate professional behavior.
[ADVERTISEMENT]
Maybe OP can take some action to address this misconduct.
This is a conflict of interest.
It's unacceptable for him to give unsolicited and threatening marital advice during a family dinner.
It's inappropriate for the lawyer to use confidential information from the case in personal discussions.
[ADVERTISEMENT]
A family member's unethical behavior, in the legal profession, could lead to censure by the state bar association
OP and her sister have poor choices in partners, but at least OP is getting rid of hers.
[ADVERTISEMENT]
OP can consider reporting the attorney for these actions, as they may not be fair or legal.
He shouldn't be bullying OP at a family gathering.
[ADVERTISEMENT]
While it's important to acknowledge that there might have been more tactful ways for the OP to express her disagreement and displeasure, her anger is entirely justified. Her brother-in-law's behavior was unprofessional and inappropriate, and the family dinner was certainly not the appropriate time or place to discuss such sensitive matters.
In challenging situations like these, maintaining professionalism and respecting personal boundaries is crucial, and it's clear that those principles were not upheld in this case.
