how to choose divorce lawyer

^{10 Tips For How To Choose A Divorce Lawyer}

1. Decide what divorce process you want to use. This is the FIRST decision you need to make! ...
2. Decide what kind of legal service that you need. While everyone who is going through a divorce needs legal advice (at least in my humble opinion!), not everyone needs ...
3. Figure out what you can afford. No one wants to pay thousands of dollars (or more) to a divorce lawyer. ...
4. Ask around. The absolute best way to find a good divorce lawyer is, was, and probably always will be, word of mouth. ...
5. Use the internet wisely. Do not get sucked in by the lawyer who has the best website, or is paying to have their ad on the first page of ...
Take lawyer ratings with a grain of salt. Lawyer rating agencies are not infallible. ...
Find a lawyer who is experienced in family law. This is not the time you want to talk to your cousin's boyfriend's uncle who specializes in estate planning, but ...
Interview at least 2 or 3 lawyers before you choose a divorce lawyer. ...
Make a list of questions to ask BEFORE you interview any one. ...
Go with your gut. The first nine factors are all very logical and rational. ...

What to look for in a good divorce lawyer?

You need someone who can take the following actions on your behalf:

• Review the circumstances surrounding your divorce and how state laws are likely to apply;
• File the appropriate legal documents with the court and respond to any pleadings you receive from your spouse;
• Appear by your side at divorce-related hearings, making effective legal arguments on your behalf;

More items...

How do I find a good divorce lawyer?

Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Choosing an Attorney

1. Make appointments with prospective divorce attorneys. Don’t just choose the first attorney you find.
2. Prepare for your divorce attorney appointment. Before meeting or having a phone consultation with the attorneys on your list, you should prepare for the appointments.
3. Gather all the information and documents you were asked to bring to your consultation. ...

More items...

How to find the best divorce lawyer?

Show All

1. Understand your lawyer’s role The goal of using a lawyer to help in your divorce process is to move the dissolution of your marriage forward in a fair and ...
2. The importance of research While your goal here is not to become an authority on the ins and outs of divorce (after all, that is what you are hiring ...
3. Take time to interview your choices

How to know if a divorce lawyer is good?

• Does your attorney explain the divorce process to you?
• Does your attorney meet procedural timelines?
• Is your attorney prepared?
• Does your attorney communicate with you?
• Who's the decision maker for important issues?

What to ask for during a divorce?

5 Things To Make Sure Are Included In Your Divorce SettlementA detailed parenting-time schedule—including holidays! ... Specifics about support. ... Life insurance. ... Retirement accounts and how they will be divided. ... A plan for the sale of the house.

How do you play dirty in a divorce?

Top 10 Dirtiest Divorce TricksServing Papers with the Intent to Embarrass. You're angry with your spouse, and you want to humiliate him or her. ... Taking Everything. ... Canceling Credit Cards. ... Clearing Our Your Bank Accounts. ... Starving Out the Other Spouse. ... Refusing to Cooperate. ... Jeopardizing Employment. ... Meddling in an Affair.More items...•

What should you not do during separation?

5 Mistakes To Avoid During Your SeparationKeep it private. The second you announce you're getting a divorce, everyone will have an opinion. ... Don't leave the house. ... Don't pay more than your share. ... Don't jump into a rebound relationship. ... Don't put off the inevitable.

How do you fight a narcissist in a divorce?

Divorcing a NarcissistDon't Even THINK That Your Divorce Will Be Amicable. ... Get a Strong, but Reasonable, Divorce Lawyer. ... Get a Therapist. ... Assemble Your Support Team BEFORE You Divorce. ... Get EVERYTHING in Writing! ... Stay Out of Court as Much as You Can. ... Find Ways Your Narcissistic Spouse Can “Win” ... Pick Your Battles Wisely.More items...

Why is it important to hire a divorce attorney?

Hiring a divorce attorney is often one of the first steps any person seeking a divorce will perform, and it is easily the most important, as their guiding hand can help make every subsequent step that much easier. Once you have planned to acquire an attorney’s services, your first big decision is which attorney to choose and why.

What is a board certified divorce attorney?

Board Certified marital law attorneys have an additional legal education and training specific to legal separation and divorce law, and will be of particular use for your divorce. Going through a divorce is a painful event, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Compassion, hard-working, experienced are some of the qualities ...

How many attorneys should I schedule an interview with?

Create a List of Interview Questions. It is recommended that you schedule appointments (either phone or in-person) with at least 2-3 attorneys (after you have already narrowed down your search through personal recommendations and savvy internet research) before making your decision.

Why do you have to have an interview with an attorney?

Having an actual interview with the attorney can help solidify your mind if they are the right type of person with the right expertise for your case. To ensure that you get all the information you need to make an informed choice, create a list of questions beforehand, and ensure to go over each question in full depth.

What is the marriage.com course?

If you feel disconnected or frustrated about the state of your marriage but want to avoid separation and/or divorce, the marriage.com course meant for married couples is an excellent resource to help you overcome the most challenging aspects of being married.

Why do couples split up?

There are many different reasons why couples decide to split up formally. Sometimes this decision is amicable. Other times, this decision creates great hostility. Sometimes, there are many assets, or even children, that need to be factored into the equation; sometimes there aren’t.

What questions should I ask a lawyer?

To ensure that you get all the information you need to make an informed choice, create a list of questions beforehand, and ensure to go over each question in full depth. Just a few examples of questions to ask include: 1 How long have you been in practice? 2 What type of divorces do you usually handle? 3 Who is your typical client? 4 Have you been a representative of cases that were similar to mine?

Expert Q&A

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Tips

Even though you hired an attorney, you can fire him or her at any time and for any reason. Consider firing your attorney for doing any of the following:

Warnings

This article offers legal information, but it is not intended as legal advice.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 128,883 times.

Why is the internet important for divorce?

The internet is best used for gathering information and validating referrals. If someone gives you the name of a divorce lawyer whose website looks like it hasn't been updated since Al Gore invented the internet (or worse, who doesn't have a website at all!), that is NOT a good sign.

Why are lawyers banned from rating websites?

Another complicating factor is that, due to ethical restrictions, lawyers in some states are prohibited from participating in legal rating websites. Finally, you need to remember that people going through a divorce are not happy. Sometimes, even if a lawyer does an outstanding job for them, those people complain.

Is a lawyer rating agency infallible?

Take lawyer ratings with a grain of salt. Lawyer rating agencies are not infallible. A lawyer who chooses not to advertise, or participate in a particular rating site's program, may end up being rated poorly, even though s/he may be an amazing lawyer.

1. Do not choose the first divorce lawyer that you find

Take your time in looking for a divorce attorney. Allow yourself to have several options by making a list of lawyers you think can provide the kind of legal service you need. Do not immediately sign up with the first one that you find. Explore your options first.

2. Choose your lawyer according to the type of divorce process you need to use

Before finalizing your choice of a divorce attorney, you must first determine what type of divorce process suits your needs, goal, and situation. There are seven types that you can choose from:

3. Choose a divorce lawyer who respects and values the professional ethics of their industry

You may encounter smooth-talking lawyers who like to brag about their achievements. While there is nothing wrong with being proud of one’s successes, this should not be done in a manner that disrespects other lawyers you are considering or interviewing.

4. Consider your budget

Hiring a lawyer can cost you a lot of money. Most of them charge by the hour, but there are always exceptions to the rule. With that said, it is also vital to keep in mind that not all higher-rate attorneys provide quality legal services.

6. Choose local

Family law attorneys who practice in your state or area should be your priority. Working with a locally-based lawyer has a lot of advantages, foremost of which is familiarity with state or county divorce laws and with legal officials and judges.

Why Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer Matters

Every attorney has his or her own ideas, beliefs, philosophies, and ways of doing business. Every lawyer has his or her own approach to divorce. Most importantly, every lawyer is good at some things, and not so good at others.

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer

Most people start their divorce by hiring a lawyer. THEN they get divorced using whatever divorce process the lawyer signs them up for.

Bonus Tip: If you screw up, cut your losses quickly

No matter how much research you do, or how carefully you try to choose an attorney, you can still make a mistake. It actually happens more often than you might think.

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer Who Will Be Right For You

Your divorce lawyer is going to be your “navigator” in the divorce process. S/he will be the one who advises you, guides you, and gets you through the court system. No matter which divorce lawyer you choose, getting divorced still won’t be painless, and it likely won’t be easy.

Your Family or Local Lawyer

If you know an attorney or someone in your family has utilized a local attorney, it is often a good first step to schedule an appointment to review your legal matter with a local attorney. At that meeting, you should be prepared to verbalize and articulate your legal needs.

Yellow Pages

Your local Yellow Pages or Yellow Book will have listings of all of the attorneys in your area. Those listings will also include the areas of concentration, specialization, or board certification. It is often difficult to choose one attorney over another.

Certified Attorneys

A Certified Attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A New Jersey Attorney who is Certified by the Supreme Court has demonstrated proficiency in specialized fields of law. A certification helps lawyers by giving them a way to make their experience known to the public and to other lawyers.

County Law Referral Services

Each county has a Lawyer Referral Service. Set forth below is a list of all the county Lawyer Referral Services and their phone numbers. They maintain lists of attorneys by areas of concentration. The costs of initial consultations are usually established by the service and are a nominal amount.

Legal Services

Each county maintains a Legal Services Office. Legal Services Attorneys may represent you at no cost if you meet their economic guidelines. The Legal Services phone numbers for each county are also set forth below.

Public Defender

The Public Defender’s office may represent you if you are indigent and have a criminal matter. If you are accused of a crime, the court at your first appearance, will advise you of your right to have a public defender represent you.

Internet

The Internet is also a good source of information about attorneys. If you conduct a search for the type of an attorney or type of legal issue, you will find an abundance of legal referral sources.