By Divorce can be among the most unpleasant and stressful events within one’s life, even if it’s amicable. Depending on how contentious your particular situation is, the divorce process might last you some months or years. It is imperative to consider how significant and sensitive issues surrounding divorce are.
Understanding this helps you grasp the gravity of their impact on you and your family members. You will also be working with your divorce attorney over a long period because the process is gradual. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that you pick the right lawyer for the job. Here are some tips to help you get the best candidate for the job.
- Expertise
The first thing in your lawyer checklist should be finding a divorce lawyer with vast experience in family law. They should also be well specialized in divorce cases, especially those that are similar to yours. For instance, if your divorce involves child custody battles, it may not be a good idea to work with a lawyer who’s an expert in negotiating marital assets for childless couples.
Many reputable attorneys have their qualifications and areas of specialization listed on the websites. Once you meet the attorneys in person, inquire about the type of clients they usually work with. It is also essential to ask for their success rate. Your lawyer’s success and record will be significant in steering your spouse and their attorney to settle amicably with you rather than drag the process on in court.
- Their reputation
The reputation of a divorce lawyer is crucial. You can look up candidates by going through recommendations from your network. You could also do online research and ask around from colleagues. With online research, you’ll also be able to go through several online reviews, giving you an accurate idea of the services they provide and whether they are trustworthy. For instance, if you want to remain cordial with your ex-spouse, you want to avoid working with a highly adversarial lawyer.
- Compatibility
Regardless of how qualified and experienced an attorney is, it would be best if you were comfortable enough around them before you consider hiring them. That’s because, during the process, you will have to share personal and confidential details about your life and marriage with them. If you don’t feel comfortable opening up to them, you might have to hire a different attorney.
Apart from their academic qualifications and expertise, your lawyer should be able to communicate in plain, understandable English. Unless you have had a previous divorce, the legal terms might be complicated, making it difficult to arrive at well-informed decisions.
These are three of the most important things to consider when you are looking for a divorce attorney. It’s also important to consider the fees of your lawyer’s services. Finding this out in advance will help you get your finances in order before hiring your lawyer. It also helps you choose the best firm at your price point.
