When a family is staring down a significant transition, the most challenging part often isn’t the paperwork — it’s the uncertainty. Separation. Divorce. A new parenting schedule. A step-parent adoption that’s been a long time coming. Even when the decision is rooted in love and the desire to do what’s right, it can still feel like everything familiar is shifting at once. In those moments, having the right attorney beside you isn’t about escalating a situation — it’s about gaining clarity, protecting your children, and moving forward with a plan that supports everyone involved.
For Erin Catey, managing partner at Catey & Maguire Law P.L.L.C., the first step is helping clients realize that seeking legal guidance is often about understanding their options. “It’s never harmful to get advice and to know options. Never feel like going to talk to an attorney means you’re going to file for divorce. It really is just giving you that information to help you feel more comfortable about your options,” Catey shared. Too often, people wait until emotions are boiling over or agreements are already being drafted — when what they needed most was clear information before difficult conversations begin.
So, when is it time to call? Earlier than most people think — especially before serious settlement discussions. “It’s always good to get legal advice on what your options are and what your rights are,” she explains. “Before signing anything, you want to talk to an attorney… and make sure that you’re not hurting yourself in any way.” Many consultations aren’t about conflict at all, but empowerment — particularly for financially dependent spouses. “I see a lot of housewives who come in, and they’ve been told they’re not getting anything… because they didn’t work. And so that’s actually not true,” she advised.
The most common fears Erin hears are immediate and understandable. “The cost of attorneys’ fees is always a concern. How long it’s going to take is always something that they’re worried about.” For stay-at-home parents or lower earners, the fear is often more fundamental: “Am I going to be able to afford to live on my own without my spouse?” Helping clients move from spiraling questions to concrete answers is a core part of the attorney’s role.
When children are involved, families are urged to prioritize emotional stability alongside legal structure. “I always recommend the kids, as well as the parents, see a mental health therapist during the divorce process,” Catey says. If therapy isn’t an option, she encourages finding a trusted adult — a coach, teacher, or guidance counselor — because no one likes change, and this is a significant change for everyone. It’s also important to remember that parents need to care for themselves; if they’re not healthy, the kids will be affected as well.
Reducing conflict often means shifting perspective from what a parent wants to what a child experiences. Holiday schedules are a typical example. “I understand you don’t want to miss out on Christmas… but we need to look at how it is affecting the kids.” Catey says. Frequent transitions may feel fair on paper, but they can be a lot for kids.
While many associate family law with endings, there are also chapters rooted in hope—particularly step-parent adoptions and name changes. “We help step-parents adopt their kids,” Catey shared. These cases often involve children who have already been raised and loved by a step-parent. “It’s gratifying to be able to get them to feel that they’re a full family unit,” she says. “That’s probably the most rewarding part of our family law practice… because it’s a positive.”
Ultimately, the goal is clarity and stability. “Once clients have court orders or signed agreements in place… they know what to expect. They can plan for the future,” Erin says. She’s seen clients transform from overwhelmed to confident as they rebuild. Her message is steady and reassuring: “At the end of the day, it’s all going to end up being okay. You’re going to be able to heal, and you’re going to be able to move forward with your life.”
When the stakes are your family and your future, the strongest path forward is built with trust, clarity, and the confidence that — step-by-step — you can navigate what comes next.