how to choose the right divorce attorney

What to look for in a good divorce attorney?

We made this free guide to give people the knowledge to choose an attorney. For many people, divorce is the first and only time they will hire an attorney. That leaves a huge gap in the ability to choose the right divorce attorney. And most attorneys don't make the decision any easy. The only advertisement you are likely to see is "we'll fight ...

How do I find a good divorce attorney?

Jul 20, 2016 · When selecting an attorney, you should inquire of the attorney’s educational background, board certifications, years of experience, professional associations, and the number of similar cases handled by that attorney. It is often a good idea to interview more than one attorney, so that you have a basis of comparison.

How to find the best divorce attorney?

Feb 02, 2014 · Realize that any divorce attorney you talk to will try to steer you in the direction of their own specific expertise. It's up to you to know what you want first, so you can make the right choice. 4. Identify at least three potential attorneys. Don't jump to hire the first lawyer you meet. They are not all the same.

How do you become a divorce attorney?

May 16, 2019 · Choosing a divorce lawyer does require lots of background checks and conversations with references. But it’s also about listening to your intuition. The best way to ensure that you and a divorce attorney are a good fit for one another is to schedule an in-person consultation with them.

What happens if a divorce attorney pushes her clients into making decisions for their own good?

If an attorney continually rides to the rescue, if a divorce attorney imposes her will on her clients to “save” them, if she pushes her clients into making decisions “for their own good,” that divorce attorney makes her clients into victims.

What happens during divorce?

During your divorce, many people will try to push you around. They will push you into making decisions before you are ready or before you have enough information. Don’t let one of those people be your attorney!

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 127,717 times.

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 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.

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.

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 the goal of divorce?

The goal of your divorce should be to come to a fair settlement while avoiding court. Some attorneys prefer to fight things out in trial, but that method drags out the case and is much more expensive.

Why do lawyers charge more per hour?

Many people think that just because a lawyer charges more per hour that they will get better service and a better settlement. That is not necessarily the case. A higher rate may signify a more experienced attorney, or it could simply mean they primarily practice in a larger market.

Is it a good idea to talk to someone who has been through divorce?

Despite the ability of researching on the Internet, first-hand accounts are still a really good way to get quality information.

Do you need to meet with an attorney before you put down a large deposit?

It is vital that you do your homework and actually meet with several attorneys before you put down a large deposit to retain one. Trust is extremely important in the relationship you will develop with your attorney, and you need to meet them to get a feel for that initial first impression.

Can an attorney practice in different states?

Many attorneys are licensed to practice in several different states; however, laws can vary drastically, even at the local level. You want an attorney well-versed with the regulations in your area, as well as a familiar relationship with local judges and officials.

Who is Mat Camp?

Mat Camp is a former Lexicon Services Online Editor, who focused on providing a comprehensive look into all aspects of the divorce experience. On MensDivorce.com, he concentrated on issues, such as parenting time, custodial rights, mediation, the division of assets, and so much more.

Know Their Experience Level

Especially if there are children involved, or if one person depends on their spouse’s income to survive, you need to ensure that you’re working with an experienced divorce attorney .

Verify Their Credentials

It is absolutely essential that, during the process of finding a divorce attorney, you verify that their license is up-to-date in your state. You can verify this on the American Bar Association’s directory.

Check in with Past Clients

When you need to find a divorce lawyer, it’s also important to consider what their past clients have to say about the experience of working with them.

Schedule a Consultation

Choosing a divorce lawyer does require lots of background checks and conversations with references.

Find a Divorce Lawyer with These Tips

We know that the process of divorce is emotionally painful, stressful, and potentially a serious financial burden.

What Is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce is an approach to a marriage dissolution that puts both spouses and their attorneys on the same team, encouraging them to work together to decide on the terms of their divorce in a healthy and respectful manner.

Why Choose Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce does more than encourage peaceful resolutions during the divorce process. It also provides many benefits that traditional dissolution in Florida does not. Some of these benefits include:

Do Not Hesitate To Call a Clearwater, Florida Collaborative Divorce Attorney Today

If you would like more information and to explore the collaborative divorce option for the dissolution of your Florida marriage, please contact an experienced family law attorney at The Law Offices of Gale H. Moore, P.A. as soon as possible.

What to do if You are Considering Collaborative Divorce

If you are facing a divorce, you have likely researched your rights and options when it comes to the legal process of dissolving your marriage. There are several options in Florida, including simplified divorce, traditional divorce in court, mediation, and collaborative divorce.

Contact an Attorney Who Has Training in Collaborative Divorce

If you and your spouse can agree to participate in the collaborative divorce process, it is important that you have an attorney on your side who understands how collaborative divorce works and has training representing individuals in this type of case.

Schedule Your Consultation With a Clearwater Collaborative Divorce Attorney Today

Divorce does not always have to be a long, drawn-out, contentious procedure that is emotionally draining for both you and your children. For the right spouses, collaborative divorce provides a valuable alternative to divorcing in court. At the Law Offices of Gale H.