how to select a good divorce lawyer

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer.

• 1. Decide what divorce process you want to use FIRST. Most people start their divorce by hiring a lawyer. THEN they get divorced using whatever ...
• 2. Decide what kind of legal service that you need.
• 3. Figure out what you can afford.
• 4. Ask around.
• 5. Use the internet wisely.

Full Answer

What to look for in a good divorce lawyer?

Aug 05, 2020 · Are they experienced in the type of divorce law you’re looking for? Do they showcase a track record of proven results? Do they appear compassionate? You can glean a lot of these things by looking at a website, which can help you in selecting the right divorce attorney. Create a List of Interview Questions

How to find a good divorce lawyer?

Jun 15, 2020 · The absolute best way to find a good divorce lawyer is, was, and probably always will be, word of mouth. If you know someone who has been through a divorce in the past few years, and was satisfied with their divorce lawyer, get that lawyer’s name. (Remember to ask that person what kind of divorce process they used, though.

How do you become a 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.

When choosing a divorce lawyer?

Aug 21, 2020 · Find a Geographically Accessible Divorce Lawyer. The State includes divorce lawyers' offices. It is important to find a divorce lawyer who is best suited for your home or career. More significantly, consider a divorce lawyer geographically suitable for your case to the Probate and Family Court.

Why Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer Matters

Every attorney has his or her own ideas, beliefs, philosophies, and ways of doing business. Every lawyer has his or her own approach to divorce. Most importantly, every lawyer is good at some things, and not so good at others.

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer

Most people start their divorce by hiring a lawyer. THEN they get divorced using whatever divorce process the lawyer signs them up for.

Bonus Tip: If you screw up, cut your losses quickly

No matter how much research you do, or how carefully you try to choose an attorney, you can still make a mistake. It actually happens more often than you might think.

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer Who Will Be Right For You

Your divorce lawyer is going to be your “navigator” in the divorce process. S/he will be the one who advises you, guides you, and gets you through the court system. No matter which divorce lawyer you choose, getting divorced still won’t be painless, and it likely won’t be easy.

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.

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.

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.

Expert Q&A

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Tips

Even though you hired an attorney, you can fire him or her at any time and for any reason. Consider firing your attorney for doing any of the following:

Warnings

This article offers legal information, but it is not intended as legal advice.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 128,883 times.

Good Referral Sources

Many people find a divorce lawyer through a professional’s recommendation. Clergy, therapists, and marriage counselors may all be able to suggest divorce attorneys.

Your First Meeting

When you’re with a divorce attorney for the first time, he or she will ask you for some background information about your situation. You should be told, briefly, how the laws work in your state and what that will mean for your own case. The divorce lawyer can also tell you which court will handle your case.

Fees and Billing

During this first consultation, the lawyer should also explain his or her fees. Does she take a retainer — a lump-sum payment — up front? That practice is common. As the lawyer works on your case, she subtracts an amount equal to her hourly rate from the sum you have prepaid.

A Look at Legal Styles

There are as many different legal styles as there are divorce attorneys. Some family attorneys are tough and aggressive and give you an immediate feeling of confidence or dislike, depending on your perspective. Others seem too nice or too soft-spoken, and you can’t imagine them standing up to your spouse, let alone a judge.

How to Interview a Lawyer

What exactly do you need to know before you hire a divorce lawyer? Here are some questions to ask before you write a retainer check or sign on the dotted line.