When facing a divorce, one of the most important steps that you can take is hiring a divorce lawyer. The best divorce lawyer for your case should provide you with the legal advice that you need at a price that you can afford.
However, choosing a divorce lawyer is not always easy. So, let us discover 3 tips that can help you to find the right divorce lawyer for your needs.
Decide Your Ideal Divorce Process
Before hunting down a divorce lawyer, it is crucial that you take some time to consider the type of divorce process you want to use first. Essentially this means comparing divorce processes such as mediation, litigation, and collaborative divorce to find the best solution for your needs. From there, you can start to look for a family law attorney that is experienced in using the particular divorce process that you have decided could work for you. Moreover, it is important to remember that it is almost always in your best interest to seek legal advice.
That being said, not all divorces require a huge court case. If you own a lot of assets, companies, or have a more complicated financial situation, then it is more likely that hiring a leading law firm is going to be necessary. In these instances, finding a lawyer that understands finances and is equipped to handle a complex divorce is essential. You should also remember that several different lawyers from a particular law firm might be assigned to handle your case. However, if your marriage has been relatively short, and if you have no children, do not own real estate, and are not going to be dividing retirement plans, a smaller law firm or a solo lawyer might be all you need to get your divorce finalized.
Ask for a Referral
As with most services, sometimes finding the best divorce lawyer involves asking friends, family, and colleagues for a word of mouth recommendation. There is a very high chance that you already know someone that has recently been through a divorce. If they were satisfied with the efforts of their divorce lawyer, you might, therefore, want to ask for some contact details. Just be certain to ask about the kind of divorce process that your friend went through to determine whether their experience could mirror your own. Furthermore, if you know any lawyers that deal with other aspects of the law you could also ask them for advice about who to contact.
Of course, it can also be useful to do some research online too. When checking out the websites for any prospective divorce lawyers, be sure to find out more about what exactly they can do for you, and what their ideology involves. Again, keep the kind of divorce process that you wish to proceed within mind when doing your research. Do not be distracted by slick websites or eye-catching advertisements but do be sure to spend some time browsing to get a feel for a few different lawyers to add to your shortlist.
Always Arrange to Meet Potential Lawyers for an Interview
While it can be tempting to hire the first divorce lawyer on your shortlist to avoid having to tell your story, again and again, try to meet at least two or three divorce lawyers before making any decisions about how to proceed. Different lawyers have unique perspectives and therefore you need to know how they are going to approach and handle your case. Divorces can take time to resolve and therefore you need to know that you are going to be working with someone that you can trust and get along with.
Meeting your potential divorce lawyer can seem daunting, especially if the emotions surrounding your split are still raw. Getting your emotions under control can seem like an impossible task for even the strongest person, but it is fundamental that you maintain hope that there is a way through your troubles. Correspondingly feel free to bring along someone you trust to your initial meeting. Throughout the interview, pay attention to your instincts and do not afraid to ask for clarification if anything seems uncertain. Aim to prepare a list of important questions to bring along with you so that you can get as many as answers as you need to decide whether this lawyer could be the right fit for your circumstances.
Ultimately, it can be helpful to think of a divorce lawyer as a navigator throughout the divorce process. They are the best person to advise you through the court system. Consequently, choosing the right divorce lawyer can make the divorce process that little bit easier.
Getting a divorce can take a huge toll on your family dynamic. For more tips, check out this guide to helping your family deal with divorce.
