About Kathleen Gomez’s History And Experience Leading Mothers Through Divorce

Prior to becoming a lawyer, I worked as a police officer for 20 years. During that time, I responded to family fights, disturbances, and domestic abuse, and enforced court orders. Some of these orders were written clearly and were therefore easy to enforce, but there were also some badly drafted orders—those that for one reason or another were difficult or impossible to enforce. This is one reason it is so important to update court orders as necessary, whether that means changing the address of the co-parents or changing the parenting plan. This is a fairly simple process as long as the parties agree on what needs to be updated.

In unexpected ways, I was able to implement the skills and abilities I developed as a police officer in my law practice, which I started in 2019. I take pride in being able to talk with parents—in particular mothers—who are in bad relationship for one reason or another. Often, that reason is addiction or a mental health issue that renders the other parent unable to properly care for themselves or their children.

In some cases, an addiction will start when a couple parties together, and one partner starts partying more and more while the other stops. In other cases, an injury will lead to an addiction to a prescribed narcotic. Some addictions start slowly and develop over a period of time, but with some drugs, and even prescription narcotics, an addiction can take hold in just three days.

As a police officer, I worked as a certified drug recognition expert and instructor which means I arrested impaired drivers and taught police officers and citizens about the effects of drugs and alcohol. As a DARE officer, I was able to work with kids, many of whom had parents struggling with addiction issues. Even at the young age of 10 or 11, those kids knew what was happening; their explanations might have been a bit misinformed, but they knew what was happening, and that’s something that those kids will never forget. Some of the children from those homes ended up being very successful, but unfortunately, I ended up having to arrest some of them for violent and/or substance abuse-related crimes that they committed later in life. Some crimes can be expunged, but having a felony on your record, even as a minor, can be really tough to get away from, and result in consequences that last a lifetime.

People often stay with their partners for the sake of their children, but I think it’s really important to understand the lesson those children learn as a result of that decision. Co-parenting is tough, and finances only complicate the process of leaving a relationship, but there are resources available to those who are willing to ask for them. Staying in a relationship because it’s comfortable might be fine, but people need to consider what their children will learn by watching their parents remain in a relationship that involves abuse or addiction issues. Ask the question: is this the life I want for my children? If it isn’t good enough for your children, why is it good enough for you?

Minnesota courts do a good job of requiring mediation in any divorce or dissolution action, which I believe sets the stage for ongoing communication and sets expectations for both parties—namely that they must be adults and discuss the co-parenting relationship that will result from the divorce. When a client seeks divorce, these are things we discuss. Of course, there are also legal procedures and laws that govern divorce. As an attorney, it is my job to put my clients in the best possible position for dealing with and moving on after the divorce.

For more information on Divorce Cases In Minnesota, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (763) 284-5552 today.