how to find divorce lawyer for consult only

by Prof. Ole Grady 7 min read

First, you’re looking for a DIVORCE LAWYER WITH FREE CONSULTATION NEAR ME WHO ACTUALLY STANDS OUT FROM THE LOCAL LAWYER-CROWD. 1-800-DIVORCE is your clue. There is only one 1-800-DIVORCE lawyer in your town. Acquiring 1-800-DIVORCE was a wise move for that 1-800-DIVORCE lawyer.

Full Answer

How do I find a divorce lawyer?

Divorce lawyers can help navigate the complex legal system of divorce proceedings—typically characterized by significant paperwork, waiting periods, difficult terminology, and acrimony. When looking for a divorce lawyer, word-of-mouth referrals from friends, family, and other professionals are a useful place to start.

What should I expect during a free consultation with a divorce attorney?

As far as the free consultation with a divorce lawyer in this regard, you may want to discuss the finances of the marriage, providing any pay stubs, bank account statements, and the like if the attorney asks for them. As the financial circumstances of each spouse is typically relevant to nearly all dissolution of marriage suits.

How to get an estimate from a divorce lawyer?

To get an estimate, be sure to provide the lawyer with an idea if your divorce is amicable, or if it is likely to involve challenges from your spouse’s lawyer as you split up assets and hammer out the custody agreement if there are children. 5. What can be the probable outcomes of the process?

How to use a lawyer to help with a divorce?

Show All 1 Understand your lawyer’s role#N#The goal of using a lawyer to help in your divorce process is to move the dissolution... 2 The importance of research#N#While your goal here is not to become an authority on the ins and outs of divorce (after... 3 Take time to interview your choices More ...

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1. Know What You Want

The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of lawyer you’re looking for. For example, suppose your issue is related to child custody. In that case, you should find a family law attorney to serve your needs better and make the divorce process more manageable.

2. Set a Realistic Goal

It can be hard to know where you want your case to go. There’s no right or wrong answer for what outcome a person wants, but it is important to have realistic goals in mind and make sure that they are being met with the plan of action put forward by your divorce lawyer.

3. Look for Divorce Lawyers in Your City and County

When looking for a divorce lawyer, you might want to first search by city and then county. This could allow you to see what qualified attorneys are available in your area that will be able to help with the type of case that you’re going through.

4. Pick at Least Three Attorneys to Consult

You could pick the first lawyer you find, or you could do your best to find the best lawyer out of all potential lawyers. The right lawyer could be your first divorce lawyer found in your search or the last when looking to choose a divorce attorney or experienced attorney. It is common for people to look at several attorneys along the way.

5. Interview and Research

Some divorce attorneys claim they are experienced in family law but don’t have any references to back up their claims. To find a good divorce lawyer, you need to interview and research prospective lawyers by asking for peer or client referrals that can attest the candidate’s professionalism and experience.

6. Listen to Red Flags

A good divorce attorney will be able to walk you through the family court system. Walk with them, and don’t get lost! Red flags include lawyers who don’t know what they are doing, lawyers trying to convince you not to say anything in front of your spouse’s attorneys, and those who misrepresent their qualifications or skills.

7. Make Your Choice

Some of the qualities I look for in potential attorneys or a divorce attorney are empathy, understanding, and knowledge. Potential Attorneys will understand your own unique circumstances.

What Does a Divorce Lawyer Do?

A divorce lawyer protects the rights of their client, along with handling the related custody and financial aspects of the divorce. Importantly, a divorce lawyer will also explain the law and your available legal options.

Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer?

Working through the legal process of divorce is often complex—characterized by significant paperwork, waiting periods, and filing multiple forms, among other requirements—adding hurdles to individuals who may wish to undergo a divorce without a lawyer.

Payment: What You Should Expect and How to Pay

The total average costs of a divorce can range from $7,000 to $28,000, with divorce attorneys charging an average of $270 an hour. In a 2019 study by Martindale-Nolo Research, attorney fees for divorces lasting less than six months clocked in, on average, at $6,500; those lasting more than 30 months came in at $23,000.

How to Find a Good Divorce Lawyer

As with many other services, finding a good divorce lawyer can start with referrals from friends or family. In addition, other professionals, such as accountants or financial advisors, may offer recommendations. Getting a deeper understanding of their experience with a lawyer can provide valuable information on what to look for—and what to avoid.

Finding the Right Lawyer for Your Situation

When you've identified possible candidates, interview your top choices. Some offer free consultations, but budget for a paid meeting if you think the attorney is worth it. You will learn something about how you want your divorce to proceed from each meeting.

The Bottom Line

The steep cost makes finding a divorce lawyer an option that is out of reach for many Americans. 7 Legal activists have suggested that the process of getting an uncontested divorce—which is when either spouse doesn't disagree with any aspect of the divorce—should be reformed, making it less arduous. 8

How Can I Afford a Divorce Lawyer?

Because the costs of getting a divorce can range between $7,000 and $28,000, many Americans question how it's possible to pay for it. 5 Withdrawal from a 401 (k) is a permissible option if the funds are spent on the divorce.

Preparing For The Free Consultation With A Divorce Lawyer When Filing For Dissolution

Real quick note, most states use the terms divorce and dissolution interchangeably, but they essentially mean the same thing. If you are looking for statute or code for divorce and not finding it, you may want to try searching for dissolution of marriage when looking for more about the law at times.

Some Core Things To Give Thought To, And Perhaps Discuss With A Lawyer During The Free Divorce Consultation Are

Mandatory Disclosure or Required Disclosures- though the terminology will be different from state to state. Most states require a collection of documents at a minimum to be exchanged between the parties when the divorce process is adversarial meaning contested as opposed to uncontested which will be touched on later in this material briefly.

Legal Fees At The End Of The Free Divorce Lawyer Consultation

It all comes down to money at the end of the day. Some people will be going to free divorce consultations with no money to hire a lawyer in the hope of finding one who will work for free and while this is technically possible. And in some circumstances a law firm will where there is the opportunity to recover fees from the other spouse.

Uncontested Versus Contested Divorce, And How It Affects You

An Uncontested divorce is simply one where neither spouse is contesting the agreement to dissolve the marriage. In essence, it’s a settled dissolution where both spouses have agreed as to how the issues of property division, alimony, child support and child custody and the like is to be handled and awarded.

How To Find A Free Consultation Divorce Attorney Near Me

Finding a free consultation divorce attorney near you, is quite easy in my opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions About A Free Consultation With A Divorce Lawyer

Below are some questions I’ve heard or found that I believe answering will help a lot of folks who might have some needless concerns or misconceptions about speaking with a licensed legal professional. A consultation is an opportunity for both lawyer and lay person who discuss the facts and circumstances that have brought them together.

Free Divorce Forms By State

I in no way recommend or warranty any of these forms for their fitness. I am merely telling you they exist and would only review them for the purposes of preparing for a free consultation with a divorce lawyer. Where I couldn’t find state provided resources I linked to a legal aid group that I found.

What does a Divorce Attorney do?

Divorce law, also sometimes referred to as matrimonial law, family law, or domestic relations, is a specialized field of practice, retaining an attorney who does not specialize or spend a significant portion of his or her practice in the field of divorce can be costly down the line.

When a Divorce Lawyer Is Necessary?

Is a divorce lawyer necessary? In the simplest cases - no children, no assets, and a short marriage - there may not be much disagreement between you and your spouse. However, it is more common that one or more circumstances call for the seasoned knowledge of an experienced divorce attorney to make sure your interests are fully represented.

Understanding the Divorce Process

Though each divorce is unique and each jurisdiction has its own laws and court rules, the general process follows roughly the same pattern. Divorce lawyers can explain the details that apply in a given situation in your jurisdiction.

Find a Divorce Attorney

Divorce leads to a major change in family structure, legal rights, financial responsibilities, and more. If you are contemplating a divorce, it is never too soon to consult with an attorney to understand your rights and responsibilities going forward and work out a future strategy.

Find Divorce Lawyer

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What Does a Divorce Lawyer Do?

Generally, divorce lawyers are responsible for protecting their clients’ rights in divorce proceedings. These specialized lawyers don’t merely represent angry couples who are battling it out in court; they can provide legal counsel, draft legal documents, and help clients navigate the legally complex procedures of even a “simple” divorce.

How Much Do Divorce Lawyers Cost?

The average hourly rate charged by U.S. divorce lawyers is $270, with the average total cost of divorce coming in at $11,300. The price of a divorce varies, though, depending on how long it takes and how involved the case is.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Get a Divorce?

Due to the costs, some people consider proceeding with their divorce without an attorney. Most states do not require an attorney, so this may be possible. However, divorce is complex, and you may not get as fair of a settlement if you opt for self-representation, especially if your spouse has a lawyer.

What to Consider When Looking for a Good Divorce Lawyer

Not all lawyers handle divorce the same way. Some may strive to solve everything before a court hearing through mediation. Others may be skilled at litigation and excel in hotly contested divorces. You will want a lawyer who will create a good rapport with you and be able to support you in your unique situation.

Why is it important to have a divorce lawyer?

Because men have historically been treated with an unfair bias against them in family court, it is essential to have an experienced divorce lawyer for men counsel and guide males through the process. When men begin thinking about how their lives will be affected when a divorce appears imminent, it is important to understand the history ...

Why do women file divorce more than men?

The antiquated notions of women being better caregivers then men may be beginning to dissipate, but the fact remains that women file divorce at more than double the rate of men because they know the law (and biases) are on their side . There is no better defense than a good offense, which is why having a divorce lawyer for men is critical ...

Why are men so hard to get divorced?

Men have always had a difficult time obtaining certain rights when going through a divorce because of the outdated divorce laws that were written and the notions of what a husband’s responsibility is compared to the responsibilities of the wife. One of the largest of these biases is known as the “ Tender Years Doctrine .”.

How did no fault divorce damage men's rights?

How No-Fault Divorce Damaged Men’s Rights. Originally, every state in the U.S. had a series of individual “ grounds ”, or reasons, why a divorce could be granted. These reasons needed to be proven in court with witnesses, evidence, and testimony for the judge to grant a divorce. The most common “grounds” for divorce were: Commission of a Felony. ...

What were the most common grounds for divorce?

The most common “grounds” for divorce were: Commission of a Felony. This all changed in the 1960’s when California began the process of allowing “no-fault” divorces, starting a trend that many other states soon followed (many states now only allow no-fault divorces even!).

Why is divorce important for men?

There is no better defense than a good offense, which is why having a divorce lawyer for men is critical to protecting a man’s rights to his family, property, and income.

Can a man lose his house in divorce?

Don’t be fooled – a man can lose his house, his income, and his children in a divorce for a variety of reasons without the proper knowledge of the laws and rules that apply against them in divorce court. Because men have historically been treated with an unfair bias against them in family court, it is essential to have an experienced divorce lawyer for men counsel and guide males through the process. When men begin thinking about how their lives will be affected when a divorce appears imminent, it is important to understand the history of how men and women have been treated differently in terms of marital property, custody of their children, and the divorce process in general. These biases have changed over the years but there is still an uphill battle to climb for equal rights in a divorce for a man.

What can an attorney do for a divorce?

An attorney will be able to help an individual obtain what they seek in their divorce case. Often, important items such as homes and vehicles have to be divided between parties to a divorce. Additionally, there may be children involved, adding a child custody and visitation aspect to the case.

Why is it important to hire a divorce lawyer?

For most individuals, a divorce is simply too complex and emotionally challenging to handle on their own. A divorce lawyer can advise you on the laws of your state and your rights under those laws.

What is the foundation of a divorce?

The foundation of a strong divorce case is the knowledge of the rules and requirements for filing for divorce in the state in which a party resides. An attorney will know this information and be able to advise the party if they meet the requirements for a divorce in their state.

What are some of the things you can't do in a divorce?

Some “don’ts” for divorce cases include: Don’t: Be petty. Do not punish the other party with outlandish requests and needlessly drag out the divorce process. Don’t: Don’t provide dishonest information to an attorney and/or the court in an attempt to get more out of the divorce.

Why do you need to present an argument in a divorce?

They will also know how to best present an argument to the court in order to protect an individual’s rights and property during a divorce. Depending on whether an individual lives in a no-fault or fault divorce state, they may be required to provide a reason for divorce.

What are the most heavily contested issues during a divorce?

Usually, property distribution, the listing of assets, and child-related expenses are the most heavily contested issues during a divorce.

How to prepare for a divorce?

Many, if not all, aspects of their life will be changing. The first step to a strong divorce case is hiring an experienced family law attorney.

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