how to find out which lawyer your spouse has

by Patsy Douglas 9 min read

Use the ABA, the American Bar Association, to identify a list of lawyers and their specialties who practice in your area. Most counties will have a professional association of lawyers. In addition, often times, this group can tell you which lawyers specialize in divorce. Here are some questions to ask your attorney- 1.

Full Answer

How do I find out if my lawyer is licensed?

Once you’ve found a licensed lawyer in good standing with the Bar, do a Google search for their name. Look for any information about cases they work and reviews from former or current clients. Find a web page for the law firm and read through client reviews. Take note if your lawyer’s name appears in news stories.

Will my spouse know if I have done a search?

It does no good if your spouse is made aware of any ongoing or completed investigation. At Docusearch, our searches are completely passive, meaning not even the bank is aware that a search has been undertaken.

How do I find out if my spouse paid for divorce?

If you have joint accounts with your spouse, you can review those accounts to see if there has been a charge for a filing fee. Unless your spouse filed to defer the filing fee (which is based on financial needs), he/she would have paid the Clerk of the Court a filing fee when the divorce was filed.

How do I find a good divorce lawyer in my area?

Use the ABA, the American Bar Association, to identify a list of lawyers and their specialties who practice in your area. Most counties will have a professional association of lawyers. In addition, often times, this group can tell you which lawyers specialize in divorce.

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Can married lawyers go against each other?

Under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, attorneys can't represent clients if they have a marital or familial relationship with opposing counsel unless they get informed consent in writing from their client.

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 does it mean when an attorney is conflicted out?

This means that once you discuss your case with an attorney, they usually cannot or will not speak with or represent your spouse because there would be a conflict of interest (or at least the appearance of a conflict).

What should I ask for in the 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 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 does a narcissist drag out a divorce?

Knowing that you are able to move on without their influence can be unbearable for them. They crave your dependence and loyalty above all else. Without you, they will feel the need to act in an aggressive or jealous manner. This can make a simple divorce case quickly turn into a drawn out affair.

Can lawyers talk about cases with their spouses?

Under attorney-client privilege, lawyers are not allowed to divulge the details of anything their clients tell them in a court of law. In addition to that, The Duty of Confidentiality protects clients from having their lawyers casually discuss the private details of their case outside of court.

Can you have two lawyers one case?

Yes you can hire two advocates at the same time. I have hired 5 advocates at the same time as well. You can take my help in finding a good arguing counsel. Unless NOC is taken from the previous lawyer new lawyer cannot be appointed.

What qualifies as a conflict of interest?

What is a Conflict of Interest? A conflict of interest occurs when an individual's personal interests – family, friendships, financial, or social factors – could compromise his or her judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace. Government agencies take conflicts of interest so seriously that they are regulated.

Why moving out is the biggest mistake in a divorce?

You Can Damage Your Child Custody Claim One of the most significant ways moving out can influence your divorce is when it comes to child custody. If you move out, it means you don't spend as much time with your kids. Not only can this harm your relationship, but it can also damage your custody claim.

What can wife claim in divorce?

For example, under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, both the husband and wife are legally entitled to claim permanent alimony and maintenance. However, if the couple marries under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, only the wife is entitled to claim permanent alimony and maintenance.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce?

Assets that you have built up or acquired during the period of marriage are known as matrimonial assets or marital assets. These typically include property, pensions, savings, personal belongings, and cash in the bank.

What to look for in a divorce lawyer?

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, ...

What percentage of a family law practice should be devoted to family law?

If they don’t specialize in family law exclusively, find out what percentage of the practice is devoted to family law; it should be at least 50% of their caseload. Depending on your financial situation, you may want to seek a lawyer who also has expertise in finance and property laws. It is important to get a good “fit”.

How to avoid long battles with ex spouse?

Finding the right lawyer could end up saving you time and money, and help you avoid long, drawn-out battles with your ex-spouse to be. Remember, your divorce will shape the rest of your life, so choose your lawyer wisely. Spending time to do the necessary research from the outset will truly be time well-spent.

Why is it important to meet with several lawyers?

You want to get a sense of different approaches so it is important to meet with several lawyers in order to decide on one who would be the right lawyer for your unique situation. Often times, you can get a sense of what a lawyer is like from your first phone call to their practice.

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.

Can lawyers advertise on the internet?

Check their online presence. In years past, some states allowed lawyers to advertise in telephone directories. If you still use a directory, you can always check there, but nowadays nearly all lawyers and legal practice s have websites that you can check out.

Is it easy to divorce?

Hopefully, you will have done your research and your divorce can move along and be finalized without major hitches. It is never an easy decision to divorce, but going in with knowledge can help make this transition time less uncertain and a bit easier to get through.

What is the best way to get divorced?

Mediation involves a neutral attorney who helps couples reach an agreement in a divorce. The mediator doesn’t represent either spouse and can’t give legal advice. Instead, mediators help couples identify the issues that need to be resolved and create an agreement that comports with the law.

What to do if you can't agree on custody of your child?

If you have children and you can't agree on a custody arrangement with your spouse, you should hire an attorney to help you sort this out. There are many factors that go into a custody decision. An attorney who understands the law can help you be successful in the custody process.

Can a couple have one attorney for divorce?

Under limited circumstances, a couple can use one attorney to resolve their divorce. Specifically, couples who’ve already resolved their asset, debt division, and custody issues may want to hire one attorney to draft up a divorce agreement. But, the spouse who hires or “retains” the lawyer is the lawyer’s client.

Can a divorce lawyer represent you?

But, the spouse who hires or “retains” the lawyer is the lawyer’s client. If you are the unrepresented spouse, be aware that the lawyer preparing the divorce agreement doesn’t represent you and cannot give you legal advice. One attorney may be enough for couples with simple divorces, but make sure you understand your legal rights if you’re ...

Can I share my divorce attorney with my spouse?

Can I Share a Divorce Attorney With My Spouse? Divorce attorneys can’t represent both spouses in a divorce. If your spouse asks you to split the legal bill, don’t do it. An attorney hired by your spouse can’t serve your interests too.

Can you argue divorce in court?

Mediation is confidential and even if you and your spouse don’t reach an agreement, you can still argue your divorce in court. The major drawback of mediation is that a mediator can’t advise you if you’re making a good decision – only your own attorney can.

What happens if you see a charge for the clerk of the Superior Court?

If you see a recent charge that is for the “Clerk of the Superior Court” and/or for the exact amount of the divorce filing fee in the county where you and your spouse live, then it’s very likely that your spouse filed for divorce.

Where do you file for divorce in Arizona?

In Arizona, all divorces have to be filed in Superior Court. All Superior Courts are divided up by county. So, if your spouse filed, then most likely he/she filed in the Superior Court in the county where you both live. If you were already physically separated, then you’ll probably want to look at the Superior Court docket in both the county where you live and where your spouse lives (if different). For those that live on the border of two counties, it can be common for the parties to file in the adjacent county, so you might need to search the neighboring county as well. For example, a lot of people who live in south Queen Creek will still file in Maricopa County, even though they technically live in Pinal County.

Does my spouse file for divorce?

To wrap it up, you may have noticed that I never definitively say that your spouse has filed for divorce. The reason why is because until you are served with divorce papers, you probably won’t know for sure with 100% certainty.

Can you change your plans for divorce?

You may want to change current plans if you know a divorce is imminent. A divorce is a life-changing event (for better or worse), which is really a process that takes months, or more. So, you might not want to follow through with certain plans if a divorce is on the horizon, such as a big family vacation, starting a new business, changing jobs, etc.

Do you have to pay the clerk of court for divorce?

Unless your spouse filed to defer the filing fee (which is based on financial needs), he/she would have paid the Clerk of the Court a filing fee when the divorce was filed. Each county has its own filing fee amount.

How to expose your spouse's misdeeds?

When it comes to exposing your spouse’s misdeeds, your best shot is to remain involved in the handling of your bills and assets. As I previously mentioned, it is very common to see one spouse handling all the finances without any input from their partner. You want to avoid this at all costs.

Can you hide assets during divorce?

Many spouses who choose to hide assets before or during a divorce think they can get ahead of their partner and cover their tracks . You’ll have to look out for warning signs to catch your spouse before they successfully hide your marital assets. If your spouse is behaving in certain ways, you may be able to see it coming.

What is a lawyer license lookup?

Using a lawyer license lookup is just one way to verify that you’re choosing the right lawyer for your situation. Whether it’s criminal defense or personal injury, sometimes the lawyer with the most prominent billboards or loudest television commercials aren’t quite what they claim to be.

How to file a grievance against a lawyer?

When a lawyer receives a grievance for misconduct filed through the Bar: 1 The State Bar investigates the grievance. 2 If there’s no merit to the grievance, the Bar takes no further action against the lawyer. They dismiss the grievance. 3 If the Bar finds merit to the grievance, the lawyer can face disciplinary action.

What happens if a lawyer receives a grievance?

They dismiss the grievance. If the Bar finds merit to the grievance, the lawyer can face disciplinary action.

Is a lawyer a good lawyer in Texas?

That “good standing” part is critical for the next step. 2. Check for Grievances. A licensed lawyer isn’t necessarily a good lawyer. Now that you’ve confirmed the lawyer has a license keep researching to find out if they have any grievances.

What happens if an attorney liases with your spouse?

If an attorney manages to liase many or all all your issues, then you have already lost, especially if they have told you not to talk to the spouse and they have served their purpose by fait accompli. If it comes down to money, you have lost, that is the level of basic understanding marriage has become for males.

What happens if you appeal a family court decision?

If you do decide to appeal the decisions of the family court, the Supreme Court, no less, will very likely uphold and support the malfeasance of the family court because the antics of the lower court personnel mirror those of the Supreme Court. I bet the family court personnel have recognized this and are busy minting.

Do judges know the laws in Florida?

And your are right, the judges dont know the laws and/or the Florida Statutes, so no one should take for granted that they do. But the reality is,,they dont know them because they dont have to know them, because they just fly by the seat of their pants and there is no one to check them.

Did the gal investigate any of the leads I gave him?

The gal did not investigate any of the leads I gave him. The magistrate had a stay for seven months. And the clerk of courts refused to send out the subpoenas. The clerk of courts told my attorney’s staff they were to short of staff to fax the subpoenas over my attorney’s office the day before the trial.

What is the number to call for divorce investigation?

Call us at 800-474-5350 for further information.

How many people hide money from their spouse?

A recent CNBC report said that a whopping 7.2 million Americans are hiding money from their spouse. In other words, 26% of married people have a secret stash of valuable assets!

Do private investigators charge an arm and a leg?

The best investigators don’t charge an arm and a leg for their services. Here at Docusearch, there’s a flat charge to begin a hidden assets search.

Can you split your assets evenly when you get divorced?

Unless you signed a prenuptial agreement that states otherwise, all of your shared assets are supposed to be split evenly when you get divorced . In many cases, people start hiding money because they know it’s only a matter of time before their divorce is officially filed.

Can a divorce lawyer search for assets?

As smart as your divorce lawyer may be, he can’t search for all of the assets that your spouse may be hiding. And, yes, conducting bank and brokerage account searches are completely legal, provided that all applicable laws are followed, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley-Act.

Do you get a tax refund after divorce?

For example, some spouses will delay commission payments or bonuses at work so that the money doesn’t count as part of their income until after the divorce is final. Some spouses even go so far as to pay extra money to the IRS — meaning that they’ll get a tax refund, but not until the divorce is over.

Can a private investigator invest in stocks?

A good private investigator will answer this question with a confident, “Absolutely!”. It’s easy for a spouse to tuck away extra money by investing in stocks or securities. Most brokerage accounts also have associated money market accounts, which can act just like checking accounts.

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