how to choose pick select a good divorce lawyer

What to look for in a good divorce lawyer?

Aug 05, 2020 · How to Select the Right Divorce Attorney: 6 Tips From a Lawyer Tips To Find The Right Divorce Attorney For Yourself. Below you will discover six essential tips for hiring a divorce... Figure Out What Type of Divorce You Want First. Not all divorces are identical. There are many different reasons ...

How to find a good divorce lawyer?

Mar 07, 2018 · When choosing a divorce lawyer, look for one who has worked on many divorce cases similar to yours. If your lawyer is fresh out of law school, make sure he or she has an experienced mentor at the law firm – one with an excellent knowledge of divorce law – to go over your case. Is a skilled negotiator.

How do you become a divorce attorney?

10 Tips For Selecting The Right Divorce Attorney Don’t simply pick the first lawyer you contact. It is vital that you do your homework and actually meet with several... Talk to people you know who have been through divorce. It can be an awkward conversation to bring up, but talking to... Don’t ...

When choosing a divorce lawyer?

Jul 20, 2016 · Clergy, therapists, and marriage counselors may all be able to suggest divorce attorneys. Probably the most common way to get the name of a family-law attorney is through another family attorney. You might already have a business lawyer, or maybe the lawyer who drew up your will is a friend and can recommend someone.

Which factor should you consider when choosing a lawyer?

What to ask for during a divorce?

How do I choose a divorce lawyer in Australia?

Why moving out is the biggest mistake in a divorce?

What a woman should ask for in a divorce settlement?

Why did you choose family law?

What is the purpose of divorce?

First, you need to realize that divorce is a legal process with the sole purpose of dissolving your assets and resolving custody issues. Your divorce attorney's job is to represent you to the best of his or her ability in this process.

What is the job of a divorce attorney?

Your divorce attorney's job is to represent you to the best of his or her ability in this process. While you might want them to listen to your anger, frustration, pain and sadness, that is not their job. They are not trained to be your therapist or coach, and they don't want to be.

What to do before you rush out to hire a divorce attorney?

Before you rush out to hire a divorce attorney, consider other alternatives to traditional litigation. If you aren't completely entangled with children and finances, you could hire a mediator to help you negotiate the terms of your divorce.

What is collaborative divorce?

A collaborative divorce is focused on negotiation with the goal of preserving a co-parenting relationship. Your last resort is a litigated trial. Typically, these are the cases when neither side will compromise. So you need to determine what type of divorce attorney you need based on your unique circumstances.

What is the cheapest way to get divorced?

Mediation is the fastest, cheapest way to get divorced, and you might not need to hire an attorney at all! If your negotiation is more complicated, you'll have to hire a divorce lawyer to negotiate a settlement with your spouse's attorney. Or you could consider a collaborative divorce.

Do attorneys tell you what you want to hear?

Unfortunately, many attorneys will tell you what you want to hear just to close the deal. While this is your life, it's a business for them. There are no guarantees in this process, so if an attorney is making promises, don't believe it.

Who is Laura Miolla?

Laura Miolla is a Separation and Divorce Coach who helps people find clarity, empowerment and confidence in the difficult divorce process. Use coaching to make better decisions in your divorce, achieve better outcomes, and lower the cost.

How to choose a divorce lawyer?

In each divorce, different issues come up that require special attention, so it is best to find a lawyer who concentrates on the specific issues that may arise in your divorce. Here are some examples: 1 Custody. If you believe custody of your children will become a major battle, then choose a lawyer who concentrates on custody issues. Men may want to choose lawyers who are sympathetic to and experienced with men’s/fathers’ rights, and women need to find lawyers who are equally sympathetic to and experienced with women’s/mothers’ issues. 2 Small Business. If one or both of you owns a small business, you should look for a divorce lawyer or a family law firm that has knowledge of businesses and corporations, and one who has relationships with reputable business valuators or forensic accountants if necessary. 3 International or Out of State/Province. If your divorce deals with property located outside your state/province or country, or if there is a threat of having your child removed from the country, hiring a lawyer who knows international laws and policies is essential.

Do you have to be friends with a lawyer?

You don’t have to become best friends, but you must be comfortable enough with your lawyer to be able to share with him or her some deeply personal aspects of your life. If you can’t bring yourself to disclose information relevant to the case, you’ll be putting your lawyer at an extreme disadvantage.

Who is Diana Shepherd?

Diana Shepherd is the Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine. An award-winning editor, published author, and a nationally-recognized expert on divorce, remarriage, finance, and stepfamily issues, she is a frequent lecturer on the topics of divorce, finance, and marketing – both to local groups and national organizations. She is the co-author of The IDFA Survival Guide, a book designed to help divorcing couples avoid the common pitfalls and make better decisions, and the co-author, editor, and designer of nine textbooks and resource guides for financial professionals. She holds the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts and an Honours English Specialist degree from the University of Toronto.

Expert Q&A

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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 127,717 times.

Is it a good idea to talk to someone who has been through divorce?

Despite the ability of researching on the Internet, first-hand accounts are still a really good way to get quality information.

What is the goal of divorce?

The goal of your divorce should be to come to a fair settlement while avoiding court. Some attorneys prefer to fight things out in trial, but that method drags out the case and is much more expensive.

Do you need to meet with an attorney before you put down a large deposit?

It is vital that you do your homework and actually meet with several attorneys before you put down a large deposit to retain one. Trust is extremely important in the relationship you will develop with your attorney, and you need to meet them to get a feel for that initial first impression.

Why do lawyers charge more per hour?

Many people think that just because a lawyer charges more per hour that they will get better service and a better settlement. That is not necessarily the case. A higher rate may signify a more experienced attorney, or it could simply mean they primarily practice in a larger market.

Can an attorney practice in different states?

Many attorneys are licensed to practice in several different states; however, laws can vary drastically, even at the local level. You want an attorney well-versed with the regulations in your area, as well as a familiar relationship with local judges and officials.

Who is Mat Camp?

Mat Camp is a former Lexicon Services Online Editor, who focused on providing a comprehensive look into all aspects of the divorce experience. On MensDivorce.com, he concentrated on issues, such as parenting time, custodial rights, mediation, the division of assets, and so much more.

Good Referral Sources

Many people find a divorce lawyer through a professional’s recommendation. Clergy, therapists, and marriage counselors may all be able to suggest divorce attorneys.

Your First Meeting

When you’re with a divorce attorney for the first time, he or she will ask you for some background information about your situation. You should be told, briefly, how the laws work in your state and what that will mean for your own case. The divorce lawyer can also tell you which court will handle your case.

Fees and Billing

During this first consultation, the lawyer should also explain his or her fees. Does she take a retainer — a lump-sum payment — up front? That practice is common. As the lawyer works on your case, she subtracts an amount equal to her hourly rate from the sum you have prepaid.

A Look at Legal Styles

There are as many different legal styles as there are divorce attorneys. Some family attorneys are tough and aggressive and give you an immediate feeling of confidence or dislike, depending on your perspective. Others seem too nice or too soft-spoken, and you can’t imagine them standing up to your spouse, let alone a judge.

How to Interview a Lawyer

What exactly do you need to know before you hire a divorce lawyer? Here are some questions to ask before you write a retainer check or sign on the dotted line.

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.

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.