Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Hello. I'm dating a lawyer. We've been together for 4 months. I've got trust issues and he knows I'm doing my best to trust him but when I ask to see his cellphone just to make sure he isn't talking to other women, he refuses to let me see it, claiming attorney-client priviledge. Is he hiding something?


Asked on 3/11/11, 12:15 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Very interesting non-legal question. We lawyers tend to have trust issues too since we are given information in confidence from clients and required never to disclose it to others without client permission. It would also be entirely inappropriate for him to ask his clients if he can show confidential communications to his girlfriend.

So, I suspect that you are in a difficult position. No matter what he says there are likely to be communications that he is simply not permitted to show you. Thus, there will always be ways in which he will be able to communicate with another woman should he seek to do so.

I think you are going to have to find other ways in which he can build his trust with you aside from your inspecting all of his communications. Trust is built over time based on actions consistent with building trust.

I hope you find someone worthy of your trust.

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Answered on 3/11/11, 12:22 pm

You got a very good answer from Mr. Donner. I would just add that I would never let anyone see my cell phone logs or my business email. Just doing that is probably malpractice right there. Quite frankly if you can only trust this guy by reading his emails, and txt messages, and looking at his call log, you need to find someone else to date. And if you can only trust anyone who lets you see all those things, then your trust issues probably require some "intervention," before you try to date anyone else.

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Answered on 3/11/11, 12:53 pm
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

It's worse than that. He may tell you he has to go out late at night to see a client and you'll have no way of verifying he's telling you the truth. If you are one of those people who sees infidelity where none exists, you'll have a difficult time. The situation would be similar if you were dating a military member or government worker who is involved with classified material. You just won't be able to talk to them about their work.

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Answered on 3/11/11, 2:16 pm
Eliz. C. A. Johnson Eliz. C. A. Johnson

Trusts and Wills is not "trust issues" and this is not a dating forum Q&A.

One should also not have to consent to a total search to earn anyyone's confidence.

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Answered on 3/14/11, 7:43 am


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