Divorce Balance

Negotiation > Recovery > Enhancement

Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Free Divorce Lawyers

Talk radio has always impressed me as one of those truly under-appreciated thought channels. Admittedly, I write this as someone still more likely to associate Larry King with his pioneering midnight call-in program on WHIO-Dayton many, many years ago — as opposed to his current gig on CNN.

Divorce issues do have voice on the airwaves, of course. But they're largely the purview of mental health (if not emotional drama). Dr. Laura and Dr. Joy Browne weigh in as the leading, definitive soothsayers on the heartstring issues of dating after divorce, remarriage, and step parenting.

Yet, big as that circumscribed territory can be, some seem compelled to color outside the lines.

You've heard it: "I'm not a divorce lawyer, but you should..."

"...ask a divorce lawyer," I'd say, if I could interrupt.

Here in Southeast Michigan, I prefer The Daily & Stearn Law Show, heard each Saturday, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., on our own AM 760 WJR. Thanks to its 50,000-watt signal, you can listen up to 200 miles away from Detroit. Hosted by Farmington Hills family law attorneys Brian Daily and Todd Stearn, free answers to your individual divorce law questions are yours for a phone call.

Closer to my practice in Washtenaw County, radio 1600 WAAM has announced plans to enter the fray with its own family law program, starting February 5 — expertly shepherded onto airwaves by respected local divorce lawyers Steve Reed and Julie Kruze.

This is nothing but good news for all of you working toward self-determination in divorce court.

And it's good for "the cause," too. The Radio Advertising Bureau says folks listen to the radio an average of 50 minutes per commute. Moreover, Journalism.org, citing Arbitron numbers, underscores the finding that talk radio commands "...the largest single category of listeners." Programs dedicated to people and their divorces build awareness; from that, both compassion and resources rise with the impact.

There is a huge, untapped end-user market for this sort of information, certainly. Ask anyone with kids if their divorces really ended when the Judgments of Divorce was signed.

The challenge to making the most of this sort of programming, in my opinion, will be in translating solid information into compelling talk — as Browne, Slessinger, et al., have effectively figured out.

Both have worked hard to earn the right to tell us to call 'em "doctor." But we've gotta be listening for them tell us to call in the first place.

Kindly Mrs. Poyndexter assures me that my Pontiac came factory-equipped to receive FM broadcasts, too. Ever patiently, she's made a standing offer to stop by on her way home from the animal shelter to show me. Says I'll benefit from expanded horizons and balance.

No arguments there.

As for the rest of you, now is the time to replace that tin-sounding clock radio on the nightstand with something befitting the educational opportunities coming our way via amplitude modulation.

Okay, I admit it: Divorce lawyers can't be completely free.

You have to buy the radio.

—posted by Dell Deaton @12:01 PM EST 1/19/2005 [500]

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