Divorce is a stressful experience. Selecting the right attorney to help you through it is no easy task. Finding the right legal professional is much like picking the right therapist or doctor. Having someone with the right knowledge and experience is important; however, it is just as important to find someone who will be a good personality and style fit.
Here’s the process to hiring a divorce attorney:
Before you choose a divorce attorney, think about what your goals are. Is your spouse communicative and open to mediation? Do they already have their own attorney? The two most important outcomes for a divorce involve child custody and visitation time as well as how money and assets will be shared. Discuss these outcomes with your potential representation before you make a decision.
The next step is to compile a list of local attorneys who specialize in family law and divorce. You can find these professionals on websites such as justia.com, martindale.com, or good ol’ Google. Narrow your search according to location as well as specializations in family law, mediation, and child custody.
Sites like Avvo can help you find the right divorce attorney. Attorneys have profiles where they demonstrate their skills, reviews, and can even answer questions for you.
Check much experience the attorney has in these specializations. Each area of law is like an entirely different profession. They may have 10 years of experience; however, was it all in family law, or did they mostly focus on real estate law at the beginning of their career?
Reviews are a great way to gain insight into how that lawyer works. What are people saying? Do they have good communication? Did they listen to their client’s needs?
Check their social media as well. What types of things do they post? Do their values seem to be aligned with yours?
Once you have narrowed down your search to two or three potential lawyers, it is time to give them a call. Most attorneys offer a free consultation. During the consult pay attention to how well they listen to your needs. Keep in mind an attorney who is telling you everything you want to hear could be a red flag. You want someone who is going to go to bat for what you want, and who is going to be realistic.
I hope this guide on how to choose a divorce attorney has helped with your search!
If you are interested in a free consultation, you can contact Attorney Katz here.