where to find a good divorce attorney

by Kassandra Kshlerin 5 min read

Do I need a lawyer for a divorce?

If you and your spouse agree on all the terms of your divorce, you can file for an uncontested divorce without the help of a lawyer. However, it is always advisable to at least have a lawyer look through your agreement in an uncontested divorce to make sure that your rights and interests are protected.Jun 15, 2020

What does a divorce lawyer do for you?

When acting for a client seeking a divorce, lawyers are engaged in taking initial details, gathering evidence including financial evidence, preparing the necessary documentation, negotiating settlements and contact or residency for children, referring to mediation and advocating for the client in hearings.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, it costs $325 to file your official Complaint for Divorce with the court (if you have children) and $300 (if you do not). You should expect additional charges if you need to have a Process Server serve your spouse. Your attorney may also charge for copy costs and postage.

What kind of lawyers handle divorces?

Family Law Attorneys – There are many legal issues that fall under the umbrella of family law including, but not limited to, divorce, legal separation, annulment, and paternity. Some family law attorneys will specialize and limit their practice to divorce while others will provide an array of services.

What are signs that your marriage is over?

7 Signs Your Marriage Is Over, According to Experts
  • Lack of Sexual Intimacy. In every marriage, sexual desire will change over time. ...
  • Frequently Feeling Angry with Your Spouse. ...
  • Dreading Spending Alone-Time Together. ...
  • Lack of Respect. ...
  • Lack of Trust. ...
  • Disliking Your Spouse. ...
  • Visions of the Future Do Not Include Your Spouse.
Dec 7, 2019

Can I get legal aid to divorce my husband?

Legal Aid is no longer available for most divorce cases, although there are limited circumstances in which it may be granted.Oct 15, 2021

How fast can I get divorced in NJ?

If you have no issues at all (i.e. no children, no property, no debts) then the process can be completed in as little as 3-6 months. If you have complex issues and cannot work out an agreement with your spouse, your divorce may take up to 14 months and beyond to be completed.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in New Jersey?

To begin your divorce process, either you or your spouse must file a divorce complaint with the court. The one who files is named the Plaintiff, and the other spouse will be the Defendant. No, it does not matter who filed for divorce first, in New Jersey, and it does not matter who is Plaintiff and who is Defendant.

Who pays attorney fees in divorce?

The decision about who pays divorce attorney fees is made by the family law judge on a case-by-case basis. In some divorce cases, each party pays their own attorneys. In other cases, one spouse will be ordered to pay all or part of their ex's attorney fees.

Is annulment better than divorce?

In contrast, an annulment asserts that no valid marriage ever existed in the first place. If you're in a marriage that you wish to leave, there are two possible ways: divorce or annulment. Although most couples choose divorce, an annulment is a better option for one or both spouses under certain circumstances.Aug 3, 2020

What are the main causes of divorce?

The 13 most common reasons for divorce
  • Conflict, arguing, irretrievable breakdown in the relationship.
  • Lack of commitment.
  • Infidelity / extramarital affairs.
  • Distance in the relationship / lack of physical intimacy.
  • Communication problems between partners.
  • Domestic violence, verbal, physical, or emotional abuse by a partner.
Aug 25, 2021

What are divorce rates?

Almost 50 percent of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce or separation. 7. Researchers estimate that 41 percent of all first marriages end in divorce.

What are some good websites to check on divorce lawyers?

Online information portals, such as Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, and Lawyers.com offer client and peer attorney reviews. Another good source is an association of attorneys focused on divorce and family law that often provides search portals for members, resources, and information you can use to educate yourself about legal issues around divorce. You can also use these sites to check the names of attorneys who have been recommended to you.

How to approach a divorce?

Approach. Look for an attorney who aligns with your approach to the divorce. Ask how they would handle your issues. Some may work in a collaborative style that aims to problem-solve and minimize conflict—and perhaps settle the divorce without going to court. Others may take a more aggressive approach. Find the lawyer who will handle your case the way you want to approach the divorce.

Why do people hire divorce lawyers?

First, divorce lawyers are skilled at presenting a case to a judge, seeing the big picture, and finding the best deal for their clients. Secondly, divorce lawyers can offer options people may have not realized were available. They may anticipate the outcome, suggest settlement options, and put together a settlement proposal as a result of their experience with similar cases.

How much does a divorce attorney cost?

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. Typically, divorce lawyers are paid via a retainer, which requires clients to pay in advance for their services. On average, the startup fees ranged from $2,000 to $5,000. 5

What is divorce arbitration?

Divorce arbitration is another form of resolving disputes in divorce negotiations without going to court, and it can also be speedier. It differs from mediation in that both parties present their case before an arbitrator whom they select, and the arbitrator makes a decision on how to handle their case. The arbitrator is often a lawyer or retired judge. It's important to note, however, that most often, the decision of the arbitrator cannot be appealed.

What do divorce lawyers do?

Divorce lawyers provide advice on marriage termination, including dividing assets, custody, and the options available to the client under the law.

How much does it cost to get divorced?

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. It is important to note, however, that automatic temporary restraining orders (ATROs) prevent individuals from drawing funds from their retirement accounts before a divorce to prevent the change in their financial status.

De La Cruz & Cutler, LLP

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 istration (BSBA, Finance) and receiving his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida School of Law in 1982.

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The Campbell Law Group PA

The Campbell Law Group prides itself on being a friendly and honest, “boutique” law firm in Coral Gables. We specialize in both Family and Corp... Read More

The Walton Law Firm, PLLC

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

Law Offices Of Hena Rodely, P.A

I'm a fully bilingual family law and real estate attorney with 16 years of experience practicing in South Florida. I offer free consultation and hand... Read More s-on service.

The Turner Myers Firm

For the past five years, I worked for a major law firm in Miami-Dade. In my tenure at the firm, I practiced in the following areas: Family Law,... Read More

The SG Law Firm PLLC

We are attorney who Establish, Maintain, Protect and Defend Businesses and Families. We have unwavering integrity.

How to find a good divorce lawyer?

Professional referrals and customer testimonials. If you’ve worked with other lawyers in the past, ask them to recommend a divorce attorney. Likewise, talk to the attorney’s past clients about their experience. You can easily find reviews of lawyers online, or ask the lawyer for a list of clients you can contact.

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 questions can a divorce lawyer ask?

The divorce process can bring up a lot of questions, like "who lives in the marital home during the divorce?" or "how will custody of children work?" Your attorney can file motions to establish resolutions answer ing these questions.

What to do if you can't agree on 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. An attorney can help you hire experts, defend against any allegations of unfit parenting, and research any relevant information about your spouse.

What are the complaints about lawyers?

Communicates well. One of the biggest complaints about lawyers is their unresponsiveness to calls or emails. Make sure your attorney will be an attentive one.

How to get a feel for a divorce lawyer?

A great way to get a feel for the attorney and firm you’re considering is to read the blogs on their website. Not only can this provide you with useful information about the divorce process but can also provide a window into the firm’s culture, values, and level of commitment. If you connect with the work’s voice – and the information shared resonates with you – it is likely a good sign.

What happens if you don't share your personal information with your attorney?

If you aren’t comfortable sharing personal information with your attorney, he or she is not going to be able to protect your rights to the best of his or her abilities. There are certain factors that let you know you’re on the right track when it comes to finding the right divorce lawyer for you, including:

Is divorce complicated?

The fact of the matter is that divorce cases are often complicated . And a case that begins with friendly intentions can quickly heat up. If your divorce lawyer is squeezing you in, it’s unlikely that he or she is going to have the time and energy to adequately address your concerns and legal needs as they arise. Make sure to inquire about the prospective lawyer’s availability and how promptly you can expect responses to your correspondence.

Is a divorce lawyer going to do you any favors?

No matter how experienced and well intentioned, a divorce lawyer who pencils you in on an already overcrowded schedule is not going to do you or your case any favors.

Is it stressful to get divorced?

While everyone’s divorce experience is unique, a universal truth of divorce is that they are – to a number – stressful. Reading what other divorce clients have to say about their experience throughout this exceptionally difficult process can prove invaluable.

Can my ex make my divorce contentious?

A very important point to make, however, is that if your ex is motivated to make your divorce as contentious as he or she possibly can (regardless of the consequences to him or her), there is probably very little that you can do about it, and proceeding to court may be the best path forward.

Do divorce lawyers offer free consultations?

Many divorce firms offer clients free initial consultations, and these offer a great way to check out an attorney up close and personal. First impressions can be very important, and free consultations allow you the space to make sure you click with your divorce lawyer.

How to find a divorce lawyer?

Ask them about what type of client they typically represent. Ask them about their rates. Most divorce lawyers charge an hourly fee and require a retainer -- a fee charged in advance. Some lawyers will also negotiate fees based on anticipated settlements. Don't waste your time (or theirs) on a meeting if they're out of your cost range. Most divorce attorneys provide a free consult to discuss your specific situation and what their legal approach would be. So take advantage of it to gather as much legal advice as possible! Typically, the attorney you meet with will not be handling the day-to-day issues related to your case, so ask to meet the colleague or associate that would. The divorce process can also include financial experts, parenting coordinators, coach facilitators, and forensic appraisers. Find out your attorney's access to these resources and if any would be relevant to your case, as it will affect overall cost. And even if you have no intention of heading to trial, look at the attorney's trial record and history of success in court. This track record is an indicator of your attorney's success in negotiation.

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 does a divorce lawyer do?

The divorce lawyer can also help establish an agreement for child support and child custody between the spouses. All of this requires research and evidence gathering, as well as compiling and filing paperwork with the court that summarizes the evidence.

How much does it cost to hire a divorce lawyer?

The average cost to hire a divorce lawyer is roughly between $175 to $325 per hour. However, your costs may be higher or lower — it depends on several factors. For example, an uncontested divorce may cost less than a contested divorce.

Do lawyers charge hourly?

Lawyers typically charge for their time (typically a hourly rate) regardless of whether they win a case. Sometimes, the losing party is ordered to pay the other party’s lawyer fees on top of their own. Some lawyers also work on contingency, meaning they will take a percentage of the awarded amount only if they successfully win the case.

Does each spouse pay their own attorney fees?

Often, each spouse pays their own respective lawyer’s attorney fees and costs during a divorce. However, certain circumstances may lead to one party paying for the other’s legal fees.

Do divorce lawyers work on contingency?

It’s unusual for divorce lawyers to work on contingency, where they receive an agreed-upon proportion of the awarded amount if and only if they win the case. It's much more common for lawyers to work on a retainer or on a fixed hourly fee. Always discuss the fees and payment options with lawyers you’re considering hiring.

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