how to find the best divorce lawyer in your area

by Santa Abernathy 7 min read

Look for the following when you talk to them:

  • Local. You need an attorney who's familiar with the courts and family law judges in your county to strategize appropriately.
  • Communicates well. One of the biggest complaints about lawyers is their unresponsiveness to calls or emails. ...
  • Realistic. ...
  • Experienced. ...
  • Professional referrals and customer testimonials. ...

Full Answer

How to evaluate a good divorce attorney?

The division of marital property after a divorce will generally depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. The best way to determine whether your state is a community property state is to talk to a local attorney who can tell you what the law is and who can help you understand how that affects your situation.

What to look for in a good divorce attorney?

Choose your state or city to narrow your search, and then use the Avvo Rating to help find the right divorce lawyer for you. Advise you on strategy An experienced divorce attorney will be able to tell you how likely it is you'll get what you're seeking in the divorce.

How do I find a good divorce attorney?

Dec 22, 2017 · 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.

How to know if a divorce lawyer is good?

Nov 13, 2020 · “There is nothing more important than finding the best divorce and family lawyer in your area.” – A Miller Family Law Center in Phoenix “A divorce is a very personal decision. When choosing the attorney that will represent you, the client must take into consideration several things, including their personal situation, their financial status, and the needs of their children.

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How to hire a lawyer for a divorce?

Don't just hire the first attorney you meet as they will be the one to represent you in the eyes of the law. Schedule a consultation with at least 3 lawyers (many offer free consultations) to learn more. Look for the following when you talk to them: 1 Local. You need an attorney who's familiar with the courts and family law judges in your county to strategize appropriately. 2 Communicates well. One of the biggest complaints about lawyers is their unresponsiveness to calls or emails. Make sure your attorney will be an attentive one. 3 Realistic. You should have a good idea of what your divorce will cost you, and the settlement you'll likely receive, before you leave the attorney's office. 4 Experienced. You’ll want a seasoned attorney who primarily practices family law. 5 Professional referrals and customer testimonials. If you’ve worked with other lawyers in the past, ask them to recommend a divorce attorney. Likewise, talk to the attorney’s past clients about their experience. You can easily find reviews of lawyers online, or ask the lawyer for a list of clients you can contact.

What can an experienced divorce attorney tell you?

An experienced divorce attorney will be able to tell you how likely it is you'll get what you're seeking in the divorce. An attorney can also help you devise a strategy for your case and give a rough timeline of how long it will take.

What can a divorce lawyer do for you?

What a Divorce lawyer can do for you. Hiring an experienced divorce attorney is the best way you get peace of mind when dealing with child custody, alimony, and asset division. Having a divorce lawyer advise you helps ensure that nothing is left out of your divorce agreement, which means that costly mistakes won't come back to bite you later.

How much does it cost to hire a divorce attorney?

Hiring a divorce attorney can cost anywhere from $250 to $350 per hour which may add up to a lot of money. However, attorneys may also handle divorces for a flat fee. The fee for an uncontested divorce might range from a $600 flat fee to a $5,000 retainer, depending on circumstances.

What is contested divorce?

A contested divorce occurs when couples can't agree out of court on one or more of these issues. That means you'll have to go to court to resolve them. And a court battle is a high-stakes process that can be difficult to take on without a lawyer's help.

What happens if you don't agree to custody?

You're dealing with custody disputes: If you and your spouse can't agree on a custody arrangement, you'll need to prove that your proposal is in the best interest of your children at the end of your marriage.

What are the complaints about divorce lawyers?

One of the biggest complaints about lawyers is their unresponsiveness to calls or emails. Make sure your attorney will be an attentive one. Realistic. You should have a good idea of what your divorce will cost you, and the settlement you'll likely receive, before you leave the attorney's office. Experienced.

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 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.

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.

Is it important to find a good divorce lawyer?

Deciding to divorce can be a long, soul-searching and emotionally-draining process. Adding to the stress is the necessity of finding a good divorce lawyer from the beginning. It is important to have top-notch legal representation, however, so do your research and find the best divorce lawyer you can afford. Finding the right lawyer could end up ...

The misconception about divorce lawyers

Many people entering a divorce are under the false assumption that their divorce lawyer is the leader in dissolving their marriage. In reality, you must be the head manager of your divorce, while your lawyer is a key member of your support team.

Accept that you do need a lawyer

Friends and family may urge you to go right to court, but sometimes a divorce doesn’t ever require a trip to the courtroom. Mediation and arbitration are sometimes easier and less expensive ways to end your marriage.

Know what you need before searching

There are many factors to consider when choosing a lawyer to represent you in your divorce.

Look in the right places

Referrals from friends, family, or colleagues can be a good way to start generating a list of potential attorneys. You can also contact your local Bar Association of the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers ( aaml.org) to research possibilities. Do not use an attorney with any connections to your spouse.

Ask the right questions

It is critical to be prepared when you start interviewing lawyers. You want to be able to accurately and clearly state your needs and the details of your situation. Many lawyers offer a free initial consultation, but make sure you clarify this up front, as some attorneys do bill for this first meeting.

Choose based on qualifications

Remember, you want to choose a lawyer who is qualified, who will give you the attention you need, who fits into your budget, and with whom you feel a good level of understanding and trust.

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