If your spouse files for divorce, it is wise to hire a family law attorney as representation. This is particularly relevant if they have children with significant assets to divide, such as retirement accounts or real estate holdings that need to be divided.
Begin your search by gathering personal recommendations from friends and family. Be sure to ask about experience, fees, and any discounts.
- Experience
Divorce can be an emotionally trying legal process that has lasting ramifications for you and your family. When making important decisions like these, you need a legal professional on your team with extensive family law and divorce expertise – such as an experienced military divorce lawyer; additionally, if children are involved, find one with experience handling child custody cases.
Before hiring an attorney, ensure you meet their team, including paralegals and associate attorneys. Also, ask if they have experience handling cases similar to your own.
Ask them how they approach divorce cases and prefer to handle them; find an attorney whose style and personality complement yours. Inquire into courtroom experience and the number of cases handled; getting referrals from friends and family might also be wise.
- Reputation
Reputation is critical when selecting a divorce attorney, so make sure yours has one with experience handling similar cases. You can research by asking for references or reading online reviews of various attorneys.
Before selecting an attorney, knowing whether they work in a large law firm or as an independent practitioner is essential. While smaller firms tend to offer more personalized service and attention than their larger counterparts, they may lack access to as many resources and connections.
Ask friends and family who have gone through a divorce for recommendations of attorneys they believe would best fit your case. Inquire as to their approach – do they favor negotiation over litigation?
- Fees
Divorce can be expensive, but it doesn’t need to be prohibitive. Attorney rates differ widely, but there are ways you can limit costs.
Start by researching your attorney’s reputation. Looking at client reviews and testimonials can indicate their ease of working with you and if they understand your case sufficiently to provide practical assistance.
Ask about their fee structure as well. Some firms charge a flat fee while others bill hourly; if a firm uses a flat fee arrangement, ensure you understand exactly what expenses will be included so you can budget appropriately for additional expenses.
Other fees for court cases include filing fees and the costs associated with experts or process servers. Mediation or arbitration could add further costs.
- Reliability
Divorces can be challenging, but having the right attorney on your side can make them considerably less so. If you need advice on which attorney to hire, look for recommendations from family and friends; they may have seen someone who specializes in divorce cases whom they recommend; this way, they can also assess whether an attorney is reliable.
When meeting with an attorney, observe her demeanor and interactions with staff and clients. A reasonable attorney should be able to answer your questions quickly and confidently – any hesitation may indicate they are not as trustworthy. Likewise, make sure they can reliably keep court dates and filing deadlines.