Select The Right Divorce Attorney
If you’re heading into a divorce situation then there’s a good possibility that you’re going to need some serious professional help. Good divorce attorneys are hard to find, and they certainly come at a price, but if there’s a lot of money, property, or some children at stake, then you should get the best help you can afford. A good attorney will pay for himself or herself in a very short time. Think: this could severely effect the future of your children. Don’t go for the cheap option or take any shortcuts.
The Selection Process
Actually selecting the right divorce attorney is a stressful experience in itself, but if you pick the right person then you can hand most of the stress over to them. Knowing that your affairs are in capable hands will allow you to relax a little.
Before you select a lawyer, find out what you are dealing with: if you think you and your ex-partner will be fighting to the bitter end, then you’ll most likely end up having a court decide on the matter. In cases where there isn’t so much of a gap in opinions, you might be able to get by with a dispute resolution process such as mediation. Different divorce attorney specialize in different aspects of the dispute, so picking the right one will be crucial. If you go to a larger firm of attorneys then there will likely be a specialist for everything, meaning that if the divorce doesn’t go the way you want it to (highly likely!) then there is expertise available to back you up.
The best way to get someone that you trust is to ask around. In this day an age, where the divorce rate in the States is hovering around 50%, everyone knows someone that has gone through a divorce. Ask around and get some solid recommendations from friends, family and colleagues.
Online research will play a big part in finding someone capable. Nearly all law firms have a web site you can look at. Outside of this direct approach there may be articles, news reports or even others telling the world about their experience with this attorney. All of these can be useful in getting a handle on the man or woman you are going to hire.
Finally, make sure you interview the prospective attorney. Interview others, too. Call around and chat with as many as you can. Part of the reason behind the success of so many attorneys is the way the listen and deal with you, the client. If you don’t like someone then don’t, under any circumstances, work with them.
The Consultation Process
Divorce Attorneys can be expensive. Be prepared when you talk to any of them. Bring notes, prepare your documentation, and think about the areas you want to talk to them about. The quicker you both get to the point, the cheaper and more efficiently the whole mess will be cleared up. If you’re doing this with a few attorneys around town then you want to be doubly prepared. Don’t waste their time and they won’t waste yours.
You have to be prepared to be brutally honest during any consultation with your attorney. You might have to divulge things that you would prefer to keep private; unfortunately, secrets are not an option. Remember this: your attorney has most likely seen it all before, and he or she is on your side.
Checking Out The Office…
When you pay for an attorney’s time, you’re also paying for the support they get from their office. Some attorneys are one-man-bands, and their prices should reflect that. On the other hand some of the bigger offices provide many more assistants for each attorney, and their improved systems may mean that they can do the same work in a fraction of the time. These are just rules of thumb, though, and the lawyer on his own could in fact be more efficient than the one in the large office…. Yes, you’re right, it’s not easy.
If the attorney does work on his own, then you should check his workload. If he’s brimming with clients then be aware that he might not give your case the time it deserves (and on the other hand this popularity might be because that divorce attorney is so good at his or her job!).
Be Comfortable And Get It Right
As noted earlier, the best divorce attorney is the one that you feel most comfortable with. If you hit it off with someone then they are more likely to do their best by you.
Your selection of a divorce attorney can mean a huge difference to the rest of your life (and potentially to the rest of your children’s lives, too). Take some time and make the right choice.
