Full Answer
· While the number of attorneys you will encounter after a simple Google search can feel overwhelming, you can narrow your search by adding the search query to the divorce process you are seeking (arbitration, mediation, etc.). This will ensure that the lawyers who appear in your search results will specialize in the type of divorce you want.
How to Choose a Divorce Attorney The best outcomes in family court happen when the client has the right attorney on her team. This article will walk thru how to choose a divorce lawyer and provide step by step instructions for choosing a divorce attorney. Finding the right attorney for you the very first time can save you thousands of dollars and hours of heartache.
· Once you select an attorney to interview, prepare a brief written overview of your current situation (length of marriage, problems leading to the decision to divorce, actions taken so far, a summary of your marital assets/debts, and any other complicating issues that might apply) and a list of questions to ask the attorney before your interview. This will help keep the …
· When you’re searching for a divorce attorney, look for someone who has experience dealing with the specific circumstances you’re facing on your own. Be sure to ask specific questions that pertain to your unique circumstances and the challenges you expect to face during the process. Be Realistic In Your Expectations
Choosing the right lawyer for your divorce can feel a bit overwhelming. There are lots of attorneys, but they are definitely not all the same. Some do not practice family law at all, so you certainly do not want someone inexperienced to help with your case. Others may be too aggressive or not aggressive enough for what you need.
You need to decide whether you think your divorce is going to cause an all-out conflict, you can work everything out, or if you need a little help to get everything resolved. The amount of conflict in the divorce process will have a huge impact on how your divorce plays out.
The amount of conflict in the divorce process will have a huge impact on how your divorce plays out. Divorce cases that have high conflict couples may end up taking years to be fully decided, and you will likely need to go to court to get a final decision.
Although some lawyers are great at listening to why the divorce happened and addressing some of your emotional problems, please understand that dealing with your pain, anger, sadness, or frustration with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse is not their role. An attorney is not a therapist, family member, or divorce coach.
Balancing the amount of legal assistance you need and the cost of those services should be a serious consideration. Family law issues are important, and they will often affect you for the rest of your life. That means that failing to spend a bit more on a lawyer now can end up haunting you for years to come.
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
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:
This article offers legal information, but it is not intended as legal advice.
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.
The internet is best used for gathering information and validating referrals. If someone gives you the name of a divorce lawyer whose website looks like it hasn't been updated since Al Gore invented the internet (or worse, who doesn't have a website at all!), that is NOT a good sign.
Take lawyer ratings with a grain of salt. Lawyer rating agencies are not infallible. A lawyer who chooses not to advertise, or participate in a particular rating site's program, may end up being rated poorly, even though s/he may be an amazing lawyer.