Graeme Greenstein, a qualified attorney who specialises in family law, is not averse to “getting his hands dirty”.
He can be described as an astute yet sensitive man who refuses to accept inequities. Greenstein entered the legal profession because of his keen interest in people and his ability to add clarity to people’s personal problems.
He is a proponent of justice and believes emphatically in people understanding and exercising their rights.
“I enjoy the personal side of my job,” he said. “I have the opportunity to get to know my clients as they are usually highly emotional when they arrive in my office and tend to pour out their hearts.”
His work varied and embodies all aspects of family law from marriage contracts, divorce actions, custody suits and maintenance to the adoption and fostering of children. Divorce files, in particular, clutter his desk. He feels very strongly about both parents having equal access to the custody of their children, and believes that “part-time” parenting can have a negative effect on a child’s development.
He has witnessed damage caused by parental stubbornness after divorce and is adamant that both parents should take responsibility for and part in the child’s welfare. “Personal differences must be cast aside,” he said. It is a myth to justify remaining in an unhappy marriage for the sake of the children. A marriage characterised by constant bickering and fighting fails to benefit children. In the long-term, divorce is more advantageous for children as they are no longer exposed to tensions and pressures in the home.
“People often remain in an unhappy marriage for fear of loneliness, yet they are lonely and isolated within a dysfunctional relationship.” Deciding to terminate an unhappy marriage requires rational thinking and a clear understanding of legal rights.
The emotional effects of divorce on children vary depending on age, and older children tend to be more traumatised. Greenstein recently obtained a divorce for a client who was married for 24 years and had two children age 23 and 21.The children suffered “huge emotional scars” and subsequently developed alarming health problems. They were mentally confused and were unable to come to terms with their parents’ decision after spending so many years together. When I asked him if he found his job exhausting, he responded; “I have learnt to be objective.
“In fact, this is such an important aspect of my job as I have to fight for my clients and must ensure that they receive settlements that are fair and just”.
Not withstanding, the day-to-day pressures can be emotionally draining. “it is very difficult to switch off and I frequently wake up during the night thinking about a particular case”. He said his favorite form of relaxation is to play golf on Saturday morning. “Hitting a golf all rejuvenates me, he said. Although he deals with a lot of heartache during the course of his work, one of the redeeming aspects is knowing that an unhappy marriage has come to an end.
