where to find a divorce lawyer

To find a good divorce attorney:

• Ask around to people you trust and share sensibilities. Look for a divorce lawyer who is good at keeping costs and conflict low.
• Google ‘divorce lawyer near me.’ Yelp and other reviews may be helpful.
• Call around. ...

Full Answer

How do I find a good divorce lawyer?

Dec 22, 2017 · 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.

What to look for in a good divorce attorney?

Feb 26, 2022 · 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. 2 In a 2019 study by Martindale-Nolo Research, attorney fees for ...

How to choose the best divorce lawyer?

Apr 03, 2022 · How To Find a Free Divorce Lawyer. The average divorce attorney’s rate is between $300-$500 an hour. But finding a free divorce lawyer isn’t impossible. It just will take a bit of research on your part to determine what you qualify for and where you can find the most affordable legal counsel for your budget.

How to find an affordable divorce lawyer?

Feb 02, 2022 · The average hourly rate charged by U.S. divorce lawyers is $270, with the average total cost of divorce coming in at $11,300. The price of a divorce varies, though, depending on how long it takes and how involved the case is. For example, in a case where there are no contested issues (issues that a couple can’t agree on and that need to be ...

How do I find a divorce lawyer in NYC?

How To Find The Best Divorce Attorney In New York City?The Collaborative Family Law Center: https://www.nycourts.gov/ip/collablaw/index.shtml.CourtHelp's Lawyer Locator: https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/GoingToCourt/findlawyer.shtml.LawHelp.org: http://www.lawhelpny.org/Sep 5, 2017

How much is a divorce lawyer in NY?

On average, New York divorce lawyers charge between $305 and $380 per hour. Average total costs for divorce lawyers range from $13,000 to $16,000 but tend to be lower in cases with no contested issues and no trial.Feb 24, 2020

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in New York?

The New York Domestic Relations Law says that all property and assets acquired during a marriage are marital property, regardless of whether the property is held in the names of both spouses and in the name of one spouse.

How long does divorce take in NY?

roughly 3 monthsSome uncontested divorces are resolved as quickly as six weeks, while others can take six months or more. Since New York does not have a waiting period, a divorce that both parties agree on takes roughly 3 months for the papers to be filed with the court.

How can I get a quick divorce in NY?

In your uncontested divorce, the easiest way to speed your divorce through the court is for the defendant to waive service by signing an Affidavit of Defendant. If your spouse refuses to sign the affidavit, you will have to hire a process server to deliver a copy of the summons and complaint.

Is New York a 50/50 divorce state?

New York is an equitable distribution state. This means, during a divorce, property division is handled in a way deemed “most fair” to both sides. This is not the same as a community property state, which divides marital property split 50/50 between spouses.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in NY?

It generally does not matter who files first in a New York divorce case. The filing spouse does not get an advantage to "set the rules" of the divorce. New York courts apply principles that do not favor one party over the other.Apr 17, 2018

Does adultery affect divorce in NY?

Unfortunately, adultery is a common cause for spouses to separate and divorce. In many states, including New York, the court may consider adultery by a spouse in different aspects of the divorce.

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.

What Does a Divorce Lawyer Do?

Generally, divorce lawyers are responsible for protecting their clients’ rights in divorce proceedings. These specialized lawyers don’t merely represent angry couples who are battling it out in court; they can provide legal counsel, draft legal documents, and help clients navigate the legally complex procedures of even a “simple” divorce.

How Much Do Divorce Lawyers Cost?

The average hourly rate charged by U.S. divorce lawyers is $270, with the average total cost of divorce coming in at $11,300. The price of a divorce varies, though, depending on how long it takes and how involved the case is.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Get a Divorce?

Due to the costs, some people consider proceeding with their divorce without an attorney. Most states do not require an attorney, so this may be possible. However, divorce is complex, and you may not get as fair of a settlement if you opt for self-representation, especially if your spouse has a lawyer.

What to Consider When Looking for a Good Divorce Lawyer

Not all lawyers handle divorce the same way. Some may strive to solve everything before a court hearing through mediation. Others may be skilled at litigation and excel in hotly contested divorces. You will want a lawyer who will create a good rapport with you and be able to support you in your unique situation.

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 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 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 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.

Is divorce paperwork time consuming?

Divorce paperwork is also extremely time-consuming. In addition to spending late nights completing forms correctly, people often have to take time off work to travel to the courthouse--to collect the proper paperwork and later to file it. This is especially frustrating for those who are paid hourly.

Where is Jeff Cutler?

Jeff Cutler is a native Miamian, attending local public schools before graduating with honors from the University of Florida School of Business Admin... Read More#N#istration (BSBA, Finance) and receiving his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida School of Law in 1982. He was a Captain and four-year letterman for the University of Florida Wrestling Team. Mr. Cutler returned to Miami in 1982 to live and practice law following law school. Mr. Cutler’s areas of legal specialization include civil, corporate, and commercial law and litigation, including business and construction law, transactions and finance, personal injury, wrongful death, p ... View Profile

Why is the law the most valuable?

5.0 (1) The law is the most valuable when it prevents people, familes, businesses and communities are protected from wrongful actions and from suffering inju... Read More. stices. In instances where injustice has already occured, then the law must ensure that those injured are fairly compensated.

Who is Erin Morse?

The Law Office of Erin Morse is an exclusive Family Law and Divorce Law Firm. Founded by Attorney Erin Morse in Orlando, she and her competent staff ... Read More

What are some free divorce resources?

Other Free Divorce Resources 1 Free Divorce Worksheet: Some websites offer free online divorce worksheets by state. This worksheet will help you collect all the information you will need to hand to your lawyer to help you finalize your divorce. 2 Free Personal Legal Forms: You can find free personal legal forms, including child visitation letters, online. 3 Bar Associations: State and local bar associations often publish guides to commonly encountered legal situations, such as getting a divorce and writing a will. Check with your local bar association for more information.

What is a pro bono divorce lawyer?

Pro bono divorce lawyers are, in essence, free divorce lawyers. They are attorneys that will voluntary take on your case at no charge. (Because divorce is a civil legal matter, the court will not appoint a lawyer to represent you, as is done in criminal cases.)

Do you have to file a divorce petition with the Family Law District Court?

However, even in this circumstance, one of the spouses must first file an original petition for divorce with the Family Law District Court to have a divorce granted. You may wish to contract an attorney to help you file this document to ensure it is done correctly.

Do you pay a lawyer upfront?

Contingent Fees: You pay the lawyer nothing upfront, but the lawyer keeps a percentage of any money awarded to you at the end of the case. (Contingency fees are not used in divorce cases.)

Can a high income spouse pay for divorce?

In some situations, a court might require a high-earning spouse to pay the legal fees and expenses of the lower-income spouse, which allows those with lower incomes to have legal assistance. However, if this is not the case, you may want to consider finding a pro bono divorce lawyer.

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.

What is a board certified divorce attorney?

Board Certified marital law attorneys have an additional legal education and training specific to legal separation and divorce law, and will be of particular use for your divorce. Going through a divorce is a painful event, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Compassion, hard-working, experienced are some of the qualities ...

Why is it important to hire a divorce attorney?

Hiring a divorce attorney is often one of the first steps any person seeking a divorce will perform, and it is easily the most important, as their guiding hand can help make every subsequent step that much easier. Once you have planned to acquire an attorney’s services, your first big decision is which attorney to choose and why.

Why do you have to have an interview with an attorney?

Having an actual interview with the attorney can help solidify your mind if they are the right type of person with the right expertise for your case. To ensure that you get all the information you need to make an informed choice, create a list of questions beforehand, and ensure to go over each question in full depth.

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.

Why do couples split up?

There are many different reasons why couples decide to split up formally. Sometimes this decision is amicable. Other times, this decision creates great hostility. Sometimes, there are many assets, or even children, that need to be factored into the equation; sometimes there aren’t.

Is divorce painful?

Deciding to divorce your spouse could be one of the most stressful and painful moments in a person’s life. The strong emotions that often accompany it can make going through the often complex divorce process feel like an insurmountable weight has been placed on your chest.