Breaking Up is Hard to do 
                     Breaking Up is 
Hard to do!
Table of contents
 Breaking Up is Hard to do!
 Does the attorney practice in any other areas, or are they 
exclusive to family law?
 Does the attorney present themselves in a professional manner?
 Does the attorney have experience in handling cases similar to 
yours?
 Does the attorney communicate well with you?
 Does the attorney have a plan?
 Do you feel you can work with this attorney?
Breaking Up is Hard to do!
The breaking up of a family is always a difficult and emotional 
situation. And if there are children involved, it makes it that much 
harder. Between the divisions of assets, custody agreements, 
parenting time and financial support, the whole ordeal can become 
overwhelming very quickly. Pennsylvania has a lot of complicated 
and confusing laws regarding family matters. And more often than 
not, it is best to not try to go it alone. 
Erie is one of the state’s five biggest geographical regions. When 
families break apart, it can seem like an impossible situation for 
everyone involved. But for as difficult as it can be, know that you 
will get through it. And regardless of the particulars of your 
situation, if you find yourself in need of a Family Law Attorney in 
Erie, there are numerous avenues of assistance that you can 
pursue. For starters, let’s examine some of the things you’ll want to 
look for when selecting the right family law attorney:
Does the attorney practice in any other 
areas, or are they exclusive to family law?
Basically, this is a nice way of asking if the lawyer you are 
considering is an expert. When it comes to your family, a ‘jack of all 
trades’ may not be the person to put your trust in. 
Does the attorney present themselves in a 
professional manner?
This should go without saying, but I will say it anyway. Your attorney 
is the person who will be representing you to a judge, a mediator, 
your family, and anyone else that may be involved in the 
proceedings. As a reflection of you, pick someone who understands 
the importance of professionalism. 
Does the attorney have experience in 
handling cases similar to yours?
There are many, many aspects of family law. And everyone’s 
situation is different. When evaluating attorneys, make sure they 
have experience dealing with cases similar to your own. There is no 
‘one size fits all’ in matters of family law. 
Does the attorney communicate well with 
you?
This is a big one. At the end of the day, your lawyer is there to do a 
job. It is not their family that is going through this, and it is not their 
life that will be drastically changed. Even if this is a lawyer whom 
you have known for years, they are there to collect a paycheck. 
When they are communicating with you about your case, they 
shouldn’t have dollar-signs in their eyes. 
Does the attorney have a plan?
You probably already know what you want from this situation, and it 
is the job of your lawyer to help you get it. Make sure you select 
someone that has a logical and practical plan to get you across the 
finish line. 
Do you feel you can work with this 
attorney?
This one may be more of a ‘gut feeling,’ but it is still every bit as 
important. What kind of vibe do you get from the lawyer? 
Remember, you will probably be spending a fair amount of time 
with them. If they aren’t somebody who you think you can 
collaborate with, then they may not be the best choice. 
The Erie Bar Association offers a comprehensive list of local public 
legal-service agencies who are ready and willing to help. These 
services and organizations exist to provide low or no-cost legal 
services to low-income families in need of assistance. If you are like 
most people, the cost of a lengthy court battle is probably not 
something you’re prepared for. But don’t worry; finding a family law 
attorney in Erie, PA doesn’t have to cost you your entire life savings. 
Everything from information about the public defender’s office, to 
legal-aid volunteer-attorneys can be found on the Erie Bar 
Association’s website. 
Another fantastic resource is Legal Support Today. This is a web-
based organization that helps connect those in need with affordable 
legal services, including family attorneys. While this service is not 
exclusive to the Erie area, they are a fantastic resource should you 
find yourself unable to afford an attorney to help you navigate the 
pitfalls of the legal system. 
There are presently just under 13 million residents living in 
Pennsylvania, and just over 94,000 of them hang their hats in Erie. 
And at 50,112, Pennsylvania has the fourteenth-most licensed 
attorneys in the United States. That comes out to roughly 256 
people for every lawyer. So the bottom line is this: if you live in Erie, 
and regardless of your situation, or your financial limitations, there 
is a Family Law Attorney that can help. And there are numerous 
resources available to assist you in your search to find them. 
Contact a local lawyer
Company Name: Law Offices of Bruce G. Sandmeyer, Esq
Address: 1001 State Street Suite 1400, Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-616-2928
Fax: 814-480-5750 
Family Law Attorney - https://www.brucegsandmeyer.com/Family-Law/ 
Criminal Defense Attorney - 
https://www.brucegsandmeyer.com/Criminal-Law.shtml 
DUI Lawyer - https://www.brucegsandmeyer.com/DUI.shtml