Almost 800,000 divorces occur in the United States every year. With so many divorces, you can imagine the demand for divorce and family lawyers to see the process through.
This demand means that there are plenty of attorneys willing to jump on divorce cases even if they’re not the best person for the job.
If you’re going through a divorce, you want to ensure that you find the best legal counsel through this difficult time. To do this there are some important factors to consider when hiring lawyers for divorce.
Check out this guide to find out what you should look for and questions to ask when searching for the best divorce attorney.
1. Find Someone Who Is Supportive and You Feel Comfortable With
Filing for divorce is a stressful and difficult time, whether it’s amicable or not. So, it goes without saying that the lawyer that you choose to have in your court should make you feel comfortable and always have your back, such as https://www.petersmay.com/.
This means that when you express your thoughts and concerns, your attorney should make you feel heard and considered. You should feel that you can trust this person to always have your best interests in mind.
If an attorney is distracted when you’re talking, isn’t respectful, or doesn’t listen to you, then go back to your other options for lawyers. Trust your gut and your first impressions before trusting just any attorney with your divorce case.
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2. Your Needs Should Guide You
Every divorce case is different and you will have your own unique parameters and needs within your divorce. Take time to really consider your priorities so that you can find an attorney that will be able to assist you with exactly what you need.
For example, you don’t need a high-profile, case-winning bulldog of a lawyer if you and your ex-spouse plan to have an amicable split with alternative methods of settlement.
Your unique circumstances directly influence the type of support you’ll need from your attorney.
3. The Lawyer Should Have Relevant Experience
This seems like a no-brainer, but when you’re looking for a divorce lawyer ensure that the attorney you choose actually has experience in family and divorce law.
Ask about their experience, how long they’ve been working in divorce law, and some background on other cases they’ve handled to see if they have the experience needed for your case.
You want to find a lawyer that knows the local divorce laws and is familiar with the judges in the area.
If there are children involved and custody agreements that have to be made, then it’s even more important that you find someone with the right experience.
4. They Must Have a Good Reputation
You probably don’t watch a movie, go to an expensive restaurant, or buy a new car without reading online reviews. The same should go for your divorce lawyer.
A lawyer with a good reputation will have many successful stories, happy clients, and solid references and reviews to back up the claims. Speak to former clients if possible to find out their experience with the attorney.
Ask around for lawyers that are well-known and have a good reputation. You can also check out the state’s bar association to find out if any complaints were ever filed against the attorney.
A great reputation speaks for itself. It’s important that you find an attorney of good repute so that you know what you’re getting into.
5. What Is Their Availability?
The last thing you want to do is hire a lawyer that has plenty of other clients and demanding work to attend to or little time to schedule meetings with you. When looking for lawyers, find out what their availability is and how much time they will be able to dedicate to you.
Find out how the attorney communicates with their clients, how often they can or prefer to meet, and how responsive they will be to your phone calls and emails.
Consider the attention that you’ll need from your attorney and seek out the person that will be able to provide you with it.
6. Fees Should Be Clearly Explained
At the end of the day, affordability and your budget will always be an important determining factor when choosing a divorce lawyer. You may have to spend some time comparing lawyer fees if you have a limited or restrictive budget.
To do this effectively, ensure that the lawyers you speak to clearly communicate their fees. You want to find out what their hourly rate is, consultation charges, and the billing procedures.
Ultimately, you should always choose a lawyer that’s within your budget. Stretching your budget for a lawyer you can’t afford will only make things more stressful in the long run.
7. Is Communication Clear, Concise, and Honest?
You need to find a divorce lawyer that is an effective communicator. They should be able to explain everything to you clearly and respond to your questions and concerns honestly.
If you find that you can’t converse clearly with your lawyer, it will post many problems along the way. This ties into finding a lawyer who makes you feel comfortable and who is also available to you.
Hiring Lawyers for Divorce Shouldn’t Be Rushed
You may feel stressed and under pressure to find an attorney as quickly as possible, but take your time to consider all your options when hiring lawyers for divorce. Ensure you find someone with a good reputation, relevant experience, and who makes you feel comfortable and supported.
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My mom’s best friend is getting a divorce from her husband and she is trying to find the best attorney for her case. I love what you said about choosing a lawyer that has a great reputation and a successful track record. I will pass this tip along to my mother so she can give it to her friend to help her find the perfect attorney to help her through her divorce.
Great Content. Finding a right attorney is really hard nowadays. Your blog post will be of great help in finding a competent divorce lawyer. I really loved your article, keep up with such informative blogs.