Meet Raymond Hekmat | Prenup Attorney, Divorce Consultant & Mediator
We had the good fortune of connecting with Raymond Hekmat and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Raymond, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe the single most important factor contributing to my success is being intentional and focused on what I value and enjoy, within the industry I am in.
I spent years litigating my clients’ divorces, and found the process not only emotionally and time consuming, but I also felt unappreciated by both clients and my employer. Once I started my own business, I had the opportunity to explore practicing family law the way it aligned with my values – which was really helping my clients move forward in their lives instead of causing additional burdens of significant bills to pay. I cultivated clients and cases aligned with my ethos and my services have organically shifted to focusing on prenuptial agreements, divorce consulting and divorce mediation. In all aspects of my firm, I work closely with my clients to help them lead successful lives – whether it is entering a marriage, or moving on after one. I educate and empower people on the financial and legal implications of entering or dissolving a marriage, and I advise my clients based on their rights, priorities and best options, not what will result in more billable hours for the firm.
What should our readers know about your business?
I am not your “typical”divorce attorney. In fact, I’m not a divorce attorney at all. I pride myself on the distinction that I’m a family law attorney who specializes not only in helping my clients have a successful marriage, but also, when things don’t work out, have a successful divorce.
First, I am a prenup attorney who emphasizes the importance of prenuptial agreements as a tool to establish and sustain successful marriages. I truly believe that couples should start their relationships with deep and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about money. Transparency early on, as well as collaborating to anticipate how their finances will work in their marriage, will only create intimacy and trust between partners. I guide my clients through this process by facilitating conversations and empowering them to work collaboratively on an agreement that benefits the marriage as a whole. I don’t treat the agreement like a business deal, and my clients don’t feel like they’re working with a divorce attorney. I recently launched The Prenup Guy on TikTok, where I educate the public on the truth behind prenuptial agreements, debunk myths and help people realize that even just talking about a prenup can create stronger relationships.
With clients going through a separation, my focus is as a divorce consultant or mediator. Through this process, I help my clients stay focused on their goals to reach an agreement that accommodates their family as effectively and efficiently as possible – without the need of unnecessary and expensive litigation. In this capacity, my guidance provides strategy and impact, rather than mere reaction, which allows my clients to resolve their divorces without the significant collateral damage that litigation often creates for a family – especially children.
Deciding not to be a divorce attorney was a tough decision, but it was my best decision and I have never looked back. Shifting my practice has allowed me to have a better work/life balance, share important moments with my family, but most importantly, I see the positive impact of my work firsthand. When I was litigating divorces, there were no winners, aside from the attorneys. Now, I help couples enter happy and well-planned marriages, and when those marriages may not work, I empower my clients to take control of their lives and navigate the divorce process strategically and efficiently, rather than based on pure emotion which many divorce attorneys take advantage of.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a really tough question for me because I live to eat, not the other way around. We are so lucky to have so many different cultures representing within our city – whether it’s Little Saigon in Orange County, the Chinese community in Monterey Park and Alhambra, the Armenian community in Glendale, Tehrangeles in Westwood, or Little Tokyo on Sawtelle or in Downtown Los Angeles – there are just so many places to explore if food is the focus of this trip.
However, if a friend really wanted a taste of LA life, they’re probably coming here to be by the beach. So, we’d probably start with a hike with an ocean view, grab some breakfast burritos at Country Kitchen to snack on while sitting on the beach, a long drive down PCH in a classic convertible, and then some lunch at Malibu Seafood. For dinner, we’d probably head to Downtown LA, and eat at Bavel with drinks afterwards at Seven Grand.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout my career, I’ve had important people within and beyond my industry who have inspired and supported my success. Perhaps surprisingly, I am grateful to the not-so-positive mentors I’ve encountered. I have observed and worked with attorneys whose values, behaviors and reputations helped clarify my own. These individuals showed me the less desirable side of the legal world and reinforced my own commitment to my ideals.
Next, I am grateful for my uncle for guiding me through the time that I was unhappy working for someone else, wanted to do something on my own, but didn’t know which direction to go. His advice was to “blow it all up” – try anything and everything, change your daily schedule, do things that make you uncomfortable. Without that, I would have probably stayed in a “stable job” that wasn’t right for me.
Lastly, I would not be where I am without my wife. She was the one who gave me the confidence to quit my job just three months shy of us welcoming our first son. She encouraged me to explore what made me happy and to make intentional choices, and has supported me ever since. Not only has she been my brand strategist for Hekmat Law and Mediation and The Prenup Guy, she continues to give me the confidence and support to try new things in my business in order to continue growing every single day.
Website: hekmatfamilylaw.com
Instagram: https://www.
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.
Linkedin: https://www.
Facebook: https://www.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.
Other: theprenupguy.com
Image Credits
Kim Fox Photography
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