how to hire a lawyer for divorce

Steps to hiring the best divorce lawyer

• Get recommendations from friends and family. You should always hire a divorce attorney that practices in the county you live in. ...
• Do your own research. There are several online resources aimed at helping people find legal counsel. ...
• Schedule a consultation. ...
• Prepare for your meeting. ...
• Meet with your attorney. ...
• Discuss fees and payments. ...

Full Answer

Why should you hire a professional divorce lawyer?

Why Hire a Divorce Lawyer for Women?

• Protecting Yourself and Your Family. As a woman going through a divorce, your immediate concern is likely about protecting yourself and your family.
• Greater Support During and After Divorce. Few women remember to take care of themselves first when it comes to their separation. ...
• A Clear Financial Roadmap. ...

Why should I hire a divorce attorney?

• We understand emotion and we can relate emotionally. We all know that women are more emotional than men. ...
• We are multi-taskers. ...
• We listen. ...
• We soften the case. ...
• We’re fashionable. ...
• We’re approachable. ...
• We’re maternal creatures, we are on the side of you and your children. ...
• Have you ever argued with a woman?

What to look for in a good divorce lawyer?

You need someone who can take the following actions on your behalf:

• Review the circumstances surrounding your divorce and how state laws are likely to apply;
• File the appropriate legal documents with the court and respond to any pleadings you receive from your spouse;
• Appear by your side at divorce-related hearings, making effective legal arguments on your behalf;

More items...

Do I really need to hire a divorce lawyer?

No, you don’t need to hire an attorney to get a divorce. You do have the right to represent yourself. You do have the right to represent yourself. It’s called a Pro Se (on your own behalf) divorce, it’s a matter of completing all the required paperwork, paying the filing fee or asking for a fee waiver so you don’t pay the court costs such as filling and process of services, all of which you can do yourself.

Hiring a divorce coach

Of course, we believe the best professional suited for this role is a divorce coach because they can teach you about divorce (like how to hire a divorce lawyer) but above all, how to get through divorce the healthiest way.

Shopping around for a divorce lawyer

Now if you’re still with me, then you might be ready to take the leap. You may even be shopping around for an attorney (as you well should). But what should you be looking for? What questions should you ask? Below are a few tips.

What else MUST you know about how to hire a divorce lawyer?

No one is ever really happy with her divorce lawyer because both parties always have to compromise

What can a divorce lawyer do?

Above all, a divorce lawyer can speak for you on certain key matters in a way that is far more professional and convincing than you can do on your own.

What to do when you are about to get divorced?

If you are about to get divorced, don’t panic. You can find a reputable and professional divorce attorney to help you finalize your case. The important thing is to stay calm and focused. You don’t need to pay an arm and a leg to find a divorce attorney to help you win your case.

What to do if your marriage hit the skids?

If your marriage has hit the skids and you don’t think it will ever get better, take heart. Half of all marriages that have taken place in the last 5 years are statistically doomed to fail. This doesn’t mean that you should take it in stride and forget about it, but it does mean that not everything is your fault.

What to do if you can't get in touch with your attorney?

Whatever the reason may be, if you can’t get in touch with your attorney after 48 hours, you need to contact state and local authorities in order to get some answers. If none are forthcoming, it’s time to drop this attorney and get a new one. You have no time to waste on flakes or lost causes.

Why do you pay a flat fee for a settlement?

Because a settlement out of court is a quick and relatively painless affair, it will cost you much less. In many cases, your attorney will charge you a flat fee to handle a quick settlement. This means that the court costs you are required to pay will also be much less.

What to do if your ex spouse can't agree on anything?

If you and your soon to be former spouse can’t agree on anything, call your lawyer. If you and your spouse can’t even be in the same room together without flying into an argument, don’t try to reason with them any longer.

Why is it important to have a full trust in a divorce lawyer?

It’s important that you proceed with full trust in your divorce attorney so that there are no hiccups along the way. You don’t want to go to court with a lawyer that you don’t agree with or possess full trust in. This is a recipe for certain disaster.

How many divorces are filed per hour?

If you’re facing the end of a marriage, you’re certainly not alone. Around 45% of marriages end in divorce, and an average of 100 divorces are filed per hour in the United States. But the prevalence of divorce does not make the process any less frightening and stressful for spouses who are initiating divorce proceedings. Depending on your situation, divorce can be complex, both emotionally and legally. An experienced divorce attorney can help you navigate these complexities with more confidence and less stress, especially if you’re expecting to deal with issues such as child support, custody agreements, or division of marital property. Even if you are anticipating an amicable collaborative divorce, an attorney can help draft and explain legal documents, and ensure that your rights are protected. These key steps to hiring a divorce attorney can help you assess your divorce priorities, prepare you for the initial interview and consultation process, and guide your decisions during the divorce proceedings, should you encounter conflict or challenges with your legal representation:

What documents are needed to file for divorce?

That can include documentation of assets and debts as well as income statements and tax returns.

Can I get divorced without going to court?

Getting divorced doesn’t have to involve a courtroom, even if you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement on something on your own. You might consider divorce mediation, which is a process during which a third-party mediator helps you talk and negotiate through issues related to your divorce without going to court.

Can an aggressive attorney win a divorce?

You might want a lawyer that will fight aggressively for you during the divorce, but an aggressive attorney doesn’t always win. And they might not be the best fit for you, depending on your goals for the divorce, and your own personality.

Is every divorce lawyer the same?

Not every divorce lawyer is the same, and that’s a good thing. Every person or couple needs a different level of service when they file for divorce, so it’s important to understand what role your attorney is prepared to play.

Should I keep my attorney during divorce?

While you want to keep your attorney if he or she is doing a great job, you are under no obligation to keep a lawyer who is not doing a good job or paying attention to your wishes during a divorce case.

2. A Solution-Oriented Divorce Lawyer Can Help You Avoid Costly Legal Battles

I have a surprise for you. Contrary to what you might have heard, there are no winners in a legal battle. Legal battles are costly, both in financial and human terms. Legal fees quickly add up, and the money you need to get your life back on track or send your kids to college can easily go to paying the divorce lawyers.

3. Your Divorce Lawyer Can Help You Understand Your Rights

To achieve the best outcome in a divorce proceeding, you must understand your rights.

Get the Ball Rolling: Schedule a Consultation ASAP

Schedule a consultation with a divorce lawyer to better understand your individual case, what to expect, and how to get the ball rolling.