what to look for in divorce attorney

What to Look For In a Divorce Attorney

1. Experience. It is imperative that you settle for a lawyer who is well acquainted with family law and divorce proceedings.
2. Client Testimonials. A qualified family law attorney will have many successful cases they have handled in the past. ...
3. Litigation Success. ...
4. Clear Communication. ...
5. Candid Approach. ...

Full Answer

How to choose a divorce lawyer?

May 18, 2020 · A competent divorce lawyer can take a calculated approach to take your case before a specific judge, which can go a long way toward protecting your assets in a divorce. Efficiency The ideal attorney or law office should have a track record of guiding their clients through divorce proceedings efficiently, maximizing results, and minimizing costs to you.

What should be on your divorce attorney checklist?

Aug 07, 2019 · Look for a lawyer who devotes at least half of his or her time to matrimonial law. How many contested divorce trials have you had during the past five years? Although a lawyer may otherwise be knowledgeable, he or she may have limited courtroom experience.

Who can make statements in my divorce case?

It is vital to look for an attorney who has the ability to turn complicated divorce jargon into phrases you fully understand. Find someone who wants to help you feel empowered throughout each step of your divorce. A Divorce Attorney Is Not A Therapist. Remember, an attorney’s job is to legally represent you in the divorce process.

Can you search for a divorce lawyer on Google?

May 07, 2021 · The attorney you choose to handle your divorce will play a major role in the success of your divorce. Here are a few tips to help you find a skilled and experienced divorce attorney. Ask Your Friends and Family. One of the best resources for finding a great divorce lawyer is the people you already know.

What qualities make a good divorce attorney?

When looking to hire an attorney to represent you in your divorce, you should look for someone with the following qualities: ... · A Top-Notch Communicator. ... · Available. ... · Equipped with Sufficient Resource. ... · In Control and Composed (Even When Under Pressure) ... · Pro-Negotiation. ... · Strategic. ... · Confident & Strong.More items...

What should I ask for in my divorce?

Considerations to Make About What to Ask for in a Divorce SettlementMarital Home. ... Life Insurance and Health Insurance Policies. ... Division of Debt. ... Private School Tuition and College Tuition. ... Family Heirlooms and Jewelry. ... Parenting Time. ... Retirement Funds.

What are the five stages of divorce?

There are 5 common emotions people experience during the divorce process. They are often referred to as the 5 stages of grief. They include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Naturally, these expand to more nuanced emotions that vary based on your circumstances.Oct 11, 2016

How should a woman prepare for a divorce?

9 Critical Steps Women Should Take To Prepare For DivorceGather your financial records. ... Open a Post Office Box. ... Start putting money away for legal and other professional fees. ... Open a new checking and savings account. ... Open new credit cards in your name only. ... Get a copy of your credit report.

Ask Your Friends and Family

One of the best resources for finding a great divorce lawyer is the people you already know. If any of your friends, family, or co-workers have recently divorced, ask them about their experiences with their attorney.

What Do You Want From Your Lawyer?

It's important to know what type of lawyer you need to help you get through your divorce. Do you expect your divorce to be uncontested and fairly simple? Or will you and your soon-to-be-ex battle out your issues in court?

Read Online Reviews

Knowing which divorce attorneys in the area have the best reputation is crucial. Although you can easily search online for attorneys near you, it's important to have context. That's why reviews are so important.

Research Their Credentials

Did you know the State Bar of California's website allows you to look up attorneys? After you have a list of attorneys you are considering hiring, you can use this resource to make sure their license to practice law is current and see if there have been any disciplinary actions against them.

Schedule a Consultation

After you've narrowed the choices down to three or four divorce attorneys, call them to see if they offer consultations. Then schedule one with each of them to help you make your final decision. This gives you a chance to meet with your potential attorneys face-to-face so you can see if they are the right fit to handle your divorce.

Qualified Representation from Caring, Compassionate Divorce Lawyers in San Bernardino

At Law Office of Michael R. Young, we have over five decades of experience helping families through challenging times. With decades of combined experience, our San Bernardino divorce attorneys understand California laws surrounding complex family law matters.

1. Experience and Specializations

At the top of your divorce attorney checklist should be finding an attorney who has experience in family law and specializes in divorce cases similar to yours.

2. Fee Structure

The fees of divorce attorneys can vary greatly as well as the way they charge. Some attorneys charge by hourly rate, and many may ask for a retainer (an upfront fee to be paid in advance). Other divorce attorneys negotiate fees based on the anticipated settlement figure. It’s important to be realistic about what you can afford.

3. Reputation

You can find recommendations for divorce attorneys by utilizing your network. As well as asking family and friends and checking online reviews, you can also ask accountants, psychologists, and other lawyers. These professionals often work closely with divorce attorneys and are likely to know who is trustworthy.

4. Personal Compatibility

You need to feel comfortable with the attorney you hire, as you’ll need to share personal details of your life and marriage with this person throughout the divorce process. So, if you don’t feel comfortable opening up to this person, you should hire someone else.

Is divorce an emotional experience?

Going through a divorce is an emotional and often overwhelming experience. Finding the right attorney to help navigate through the difficult process is an important decision that no one facing divorce should overlook.

Is there a divorce lawyer in North Carolina?

There are plenty of great divorce attorneys out there, but if your lawyer isn’t familiar with your county’s court procedures, rules, or judges, that lawyer may be at a disadvantage. Every county courthouse is a little bit different (and some are downright unique), so a lawyer who knows the ropes in the North Carolina jurisdiction where your divorce will happen is a major selling point.

Can a divorce lawyer take the witness stand?

In many cases, spouses going through divorce never see the inside of a courtroom or have to take the witness stand. In other cases, litigation over issues involving marital property and child custody can span numerous days in front of a judge. Attaining your goals in a divorce case and reaching your desired outcome may take proficiency both outside the courtroom through negotiation and inside the courtroom through hearings and trials. It is important to have an attorney who won’t shy away from courtroom litigation, if the need arises, to protect your interests. There is no substitute for real courtroom experience, so make sure your attorney is ready to step up to the plate.

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.

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.

How many attorneys should I see before making a decision?

It is recommended that you schedule appointments (either phone or in-person) with at least 2-3 attorneys (after you have already narrowed down your search through personal recommendations and savvy internet research) before making your decision.

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.

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.

Can a divorce lawyer help you?

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 of a divorce lawyer that can help you get what you want out of your marriage’s dissolution so that you can focus on beginning the rest of your life.

Who is Jason Crowley?

Jason Crowley is a divorce financial strategist, personal finance expert, and entrepreneur. Jason is the managing partner of Divorce Capital Planning, co-founder of Divorce Mortgage Advisors, and founder of Survive Divorce.

Do you have to disclose your finances during divorce?

If you’re in the dark about your finances, that’s okay. You and your spouse will be required to complete financial affidavits (disclosures) as part of the divorce process. The goal at this point is simply to begin identifying the puzzle pieces.

Do you need a financial analyst for divorce?

Depending on the complexity of your divorce, you may need a lot of documentation to give to your lawyer or Certified Divorce Financial Analyst . The more organized you are upfront will not only save you time and stress, but it will also save you money as well.

What is an exhibit A on a grant deed?

Copy of the current Grant Deed (s) with Exhibit “A” (legal description) on each property that shows how title is held (if the title has been changed, provide copies of all deeds from the time of acquisition). The Deed of Trust or Note is not needed.

What information is needed to file a student loan?

Include all information such as balances owed, interest rate, payment schedule and the school, and what period of time you or your spouse received the loan.

What is fault based divorce?

Fault-based divorce is when one spouse committed an act that gives legal justification to the ending of the marriage. These acts include adultery, a felony conviction, cruelty, or desertion.

How much does a divorce cost?

Contested divorces cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, though there are plenty of ways to limit the staunch the outward flow of cash before and during the process.

Do divorce lawyers charge by the hour?

Divorce lawyers often charge by the hour. If you take responsibility for being as organized as possible, not only are you likely to walk away from your marriage with a more acceptable outcome, you'll probably save some money too.

What does it mean to be uncontested in divorce?

An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse agree child custody, spousal support, child support, visitation, and division of property. If you find that there is no need to fight over these things, you've already saved yourself thousands of dollars.

How to start a divorce?

One of the best and simplest ways to do that is to start a divorce file. In this file, keep every bit of paper that could have an effect on how your divorce proceedings. Gather copies of all important financial documents and access to all account information. Keep it organized and easy to navigate.

Is divorce law firm bigger than solo practice?

In any industry, the larger a company is, the bigger volume it's doing. Divorce law firms are no different, prompting many people to seek a solo practitioner who is more invested in the outcome of your case. Paradoxically, however, if the solo practitioner does not have adequate support staff in his or her office, your case may end up not getting the attention and care you were promised.

What is mediation in divorce?

Mediation is a process whereby you and your spouse sit down with a neutral third party to negotiate several important areas of divorce. It's a low-cost way to address practically any other disagreement you and your spouse may have. While the mediator's decision is not binding, it allows a neutral party to provide their perspective on how divorce related issues should be addressed. However, mediation can only be a useful tool if you and your spouse can come to an broad agreement.