No one enters into marriage or a romantic relationship expecting it will end in divorce, yet this reality still affects a majority of American households.
Before making your final decision, when hiring a divorce lawyer there are a few questions you should pose to them before making your choice. These include asking how many cases they have dealt with as well as whether or not they practice collaborative divorce.
Experience
Many individuals obtain their attorney through recommendations from friends, family and other dependable sources. Such referrals can provide a good starting point in narrowing down potential divorce lawyers to find one with the necessary expertise for their individual situation.
For instance, individuals facing complex financial situations and needing to accurately value assets should look for attorneys with extensive expertise in this area of divorce law. Furthermore, those hoping to avoid court should explore alternative dispute resolution processes like mediation.
Searching for an attorney with a similar philosophy to your own is also key when considering divorce proceedings. Some attorneys may prefer collaborative efforts and seeking solutions outside the courtroom while others might favor aggressive tactics to achieve optimal results.
Reputation
Divorce can be one of the most arduous and emotionally damaging experiences one will ever face, not only financially but also professionally. That’s why hiring an attorney who specializes in family law may be worth your while.
Your attorney should help guide the process smoothly, prioritizing your wellbeing through each stage. They’ll be honest about both best- and worst-case scenarios; not telling you just what you want to hear to make a sale.
Social referrals from trusted professionals can be an excellent resource when searching for a divorce attorney, but be wary that your referee could have different goals or priorities than you. Therefore, be sure to ask if their opinion is objective before meeting multiple candidates in person in order to find one who best matches your case.
Fees
Cost of hiring a divorce attorney depends on its scope and complexity, with contentious divorces more costly than uncontested ones due to disputes relating to property division, custody arrangements and child support payments. Expert witnesses such as financial specialists or appraisers may be necessary in valuing assets which adds further to overall cost of litigation.
Divorce mediators may save couples money on attorney fees; additionally, courts can award one spouse attorney fees when enforcing court orders regarding maintenance, child support and visitation rights.
Many attorneys charge hourly rates, so it is essential that you thoroughly assess each candidate’s fee structure prior to making your selection. Some offer flat fees for cases without contentious issues that makes budgeting simpler. While others provide limited-scope representation services wherein only certain tasks or advice is paid for from their services provided to your case.
Communication
Communication between clients and their divorce attorney should be regular and clear, particularly if their case proceeds to trial. A good attorney should give realistic expectations as well as respond promptly – even when client confidentiality laws protect attorney-client privilege, so their voice can be heard.
As well as regularly communicating with your attorney, it’s also important to monitor their behavior when in the presence of other clients. For example, if another client’s phone rings in your attorney’s office it can distract everyone involved and show a lack of respect for other clients. In addition, your attorney should give you copies of all documents or handouts presented during meetings so everything is clear; this will allow you to stay organized and meet court deadlines or requirements more easily.