Divorce Attorney
If you are facing or contemplating a divorce, it is important to seek the legal advice of a divorce attorney. A good divorce attorney can educate you on the divorce laws applicable in your state and help minimize the lengthy court process and emotional distress that is often associated with the divorce proceedings. Knowing when to contact a divorce lawyer can make the difference between an amicable divorce and a potentially uphill battle.
Here are some things to follow when hiring a divorce attorney.
The Attorney’s Experience
It is imperative that any divorce attorney that you consider hiring has sufficient experience in managing divorce cases in your area. An experienced divorce lawyer will know what to expect from the judges on your jurisdiction and should be able to use this knowledge to your advantage. In addition, the attorney should practice primarily in the field of family or divorce law.
Communication Ability with the Lawyer
Often, most unsatisfied clients with a particular attorney will complain about being unable to communicate with the attorney.
The best divorce attorney is one who is readily accessible and one who promptly responds to your phone calls, emails and your requests for meetings.
Not only should you feel satisfied with the level of interaction but also with the connection you have with the attorney, whether you feel understood and whether through their communication they present themselves as being true advocates.
Testimonials
You can make a decision on the attorney to hire by finding out what their past clients have to say about them. In cases where you know nobody who has been their client, you can ask the lawyer to offer you a list of past clients whom you can contact and gather what it was like working with that attorney. It is also a good idea to call the State Bar Association and see if there are any past clients who have filed grievances with the attorney.
The Fees Charged by the Attorney
During your first consultation, make sure that you have inquired about the consultation fee. Some lawyers charge a brief initial consultation for a fee, but the experienced lawyers will charge between one hundred and two hundred dollars as consultation fee or their normal hourly rate.
Make sure that you find out the attorney’s hourly rates, their up-front retainer, and whether part of the retainer will be refunded if not used, and how often you can expect to receive invoices that show their hourly charges and expenses.
Being Comfortable with the Lawyer
Before hiring an attorney, you should ask yourself if you are comfortable with him and whether you in support of his or her abilities. Make sure that the attorney appears to e genuinely concerned about your case and is willing to spend the right time to advocate for you during the divorce proceedings.
