how to find good lawyer for divorce

by Ms. Estrella Halvorson V 8 min read

How to Find a Good Divorce Lawyer.

  • Tip 1: Recognize that You Do Need an Experienced Divorce Lawyer. Many people who are moving toward divorce would like to avoid the expense of a ...
  • Tip 2: Make Sure Your Attorney Is a Good Fit for You.
  • Tip 3: Ask the Right Questions.
  • Tip 4: Check out Those Reviews.
  • Tip 5: Read the Firm’s Blogs.

Full Answer

How do I know if my divorce lawyer is good?

Dec 22, 2017 · Key points to look for when searching for a good divorce lawyer-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 equitable manner. The main points of discussion when meeting with a lawyer should focus on money, other assets such as real …

Can anyone recommend a good divorce lawyer?

Feb 26, 2022 · 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 …

What to look for in a good divorce attorney?

Jun 30, 2021 · Read on to learn our list of tips to keep in mind on how to find a good divorce lawyer. Tip 1: Recognize that You Do Need an Experienced Divorce Lawyer Many people who are moving toward divorce would like to avoid the expense of a divorce lawyer and the inconvenience of having to find one who is a good fit.

What are the best questions to ask a divorce lawyer?

Aug 23, 2018 · The first thing you should do when looking for an attorney for divorce is to decide which process you want to follow in your divorce. You have to choose the litigation, cooperative divorce, mediation, or collaborative divorce processes. After making this decision, you can then find a divorce lawyer who is experienced in your chosen process. What it means is that you …

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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.

Tip 1: Recognize that You Do Need an Experienced Divorce Lawyer

Many people who are moving toward divorce would like to avoid the expense of a divorce lawyer and the inconvenience of having to find one who is a good fit.

Tip 2: Make Sure Your Attorney Is a Good Fit for You

If you aren’t comfortable sharing personal information with your attorney, he or she is not going to be able to protect your rights to the best of his or her abilities. There are certain factors that let you know you’re on the right track when it comes to finding the right divorce lawyer for you, including:

Tip 3: Ask the Right Questions

One of the most important steps you can take in finding the right attorney for you is asking the right questions.

Tip 4: Check out Those Reviews

Check out your prospective attorney’s online presence, including customer reviews and feedback. While everyone’s divorce experience is unique, a universal truth of divorce is that they are – to a number – stressful.

Tip 6: Take Advantage of that Free Consultation

Many divorce firms offer clients free initial consultations, and these offer a great way to check out an attorney up close and personal. First impressions can be very important, and free consultations allow you the space to make sure you click with your divorce lawyer.

Tip 7: Find A Lawyer You Get Along With

It’s important to make sure that you are able to communicate openly and honestly with any attorney you choose. Divorce is extremely personal, and it’s likely that you will need to disclose sensitive information about your personal life and financial situation with your attorney, so you want to be as comfortable as possible.

An Attorney with a Divorce Law Focus

If you’re in the market for a divorce lawyer, you’re looking for an attorney who dedicates his or her practice to divorce and other family law matters.

How to Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

Knowing how to hire family law attorneys that can offer you the advice you need, at an affordable price, and also suit your case is not always easy. That is why you need to adhere to the following guidelines;

How steep is divorce attorney fees?

Divorce attorney fees usually render people uneasy anytime it is due for discussion. Do not shy away from the task. Make sure that you know the cost of hiring a particular lawyer. Find out there retaining cost and hourly billings and fees terms.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Throughout a divorce, your attorney will be your advisor, spokesperson, negotiator, and trusted confidant. Finding the right one for you is essential

Now that you and your partner have made the difficult decision to get divorced, you have to set about the task of finding a lawyer. Unfortunately, it’s not something that you can resolve with just a simple Google search. Before settling on a divorce lawyer to oversee your proceedings, you have to make sure you haven’t left a single stone unturned.

Do. Your. Homework

Just like any other major decision in your life, you want to make sure that you go into the divorce process with your eyes wide open and as well-informed as possible.

Know What You Want

Before you settle on a lawyer, ask yourself what it is that you’re hoping to get from them. Are you looking for a lawyer who’s emotionally supportive? An impersonal but focused attorney? Are you looking for a team or a one-on-one personal experience?

Ask Around

If you know of friends or family members who’ve been through a divorce, definitely reach out to them and ask for advice and suggestions on who they went with and how it worked out for them.

Meet with More Than One Lawyer

Part of the research process for a good divorce lawyer should include multiple meetings with various attorneys. This will allow you to see how each lawyer will approach your divorce and what they will do to build the best possible case.

Ask the Right Questions

When meeting with an attorney, don’t waste time asking questions about their experience, as that is information you should have gathered already from your research.

Make Sure They Stay in Touch

Lawyers are busy, obviously, but that doesn’t mean that a call or email from you shouldn’t be returned as quickly as possible. Even a simple email back acknowledging that they’ve received your message and will get back to you soon can go a long way.

How to learn more about divorce lawyers?

One way prospective clients can learn more about their lawyers they meet with is by researching client reviews . Taking a deeper dive into a lawyer’s track record online will provide insight into how well they listen to and advocate for their client. Those seeking a divorce should look for lawyers who have several years of practice under their belt during which they successfully resolved cases for their clients. Additionally, more seasoned lawyers will have the experience needed to effectively handle any hiccups or challenges that a case may present.

Why is it important to choose a lawyer?

Just because someone practices law does not mean they will be able to efficiently and successfully handle a client’s specific case. It is important that the lawyer has a history of successfully resolving divorces with issues similar to yours and has the ability to listen to their client and assist them in an effective manner.

What type of attorney do I need for divorce?

What Type of Attorney do I Need? When you're getting a divorce, you'll need an attorney who is experienced in family law matters. A old college friend who now practices medical malpractice law isn't likely to be the best choice to handle your divorce. Different areas of the law have different rules and requirements.

What is the demeanor of a divorce lawyer?

Some lawyers pride themselves on an aggressive demeanor, while others highlight their ability to collaborate and settle most divorces without a drawn-out courtroom battle. Your needs, your personality, and your spouse's demeanor in the divorce will also affect the type of attorney best suited to your case.

Is divorce hard?

It can be the difference between feeling like you have an advocate to protect you, or feeling like you're fighting a battle alone. Divorce is hard, but an experienced divorce lawyer can take on some of that burden and help you achieve your goals. Find out more about what to look for when choosing a divorce attorney.

Can a single attorney give legal advice?

A single attorney can't ethically give good legal advice to two people in adverse positions. While some couples choose to use a single attorney to draw up divorce paperwork, that attorney legally only represents one of the spouses.

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