Divorce lawyers specialize in family law and are expert at helping their clients through one of the most emotional and challenging times in life – property division, custody disputes, spousal support issues and related matters are just some of their areas of expertise.
Your attorney should be able to offer the appropriate advice and guidance based on the unique circumstances surrounding your divorce case. Here are some key points when selecting an appropriate divorce attorney:
Experience
Divorce proceedings involve complex legal jargon, paperwork and deadlines that need to be met in an efficient manner. Hiring an attorney to guide the process and file all paperwork with the relevant people/offices at the appropriate times will prevent minor mistakes from becoming major headaches down the line.
A competent family law attorney possesses a thorough understanding of all areas of family law, providing them with an edge when representing clients in court. Furthermore, they offer emotional support and understanding. A great attorney should remain nonjudgmental to help their clients focus on long-term goals rather than immediate emotions.
Spouses should use initial meetings with potential attorneys as an opportunity to gauge how accessible and engaged they are, as well as assess communication difficulties between themselves and their support staff. This information will enable spouses to determine if an attorney’s caseload is too great, or whether they will be able to work effectively together over the duration of their case.
Flexibility
Divorce can be complex, and its outcome will have lasting ramifications on your life. A skilled divorce attorney can help guide the process while meeting deadlines, explaining legal jargon correctly, complying with requirements and creating necessary documents.
An effective divorce lawyer should take the time to understand your unique situation and work towards reaching a successful resolution for both of you. They know when mediation or litigation is the appropriate strategy, and can adapt quickly when circumstances change.
A good divorce attorney will be accommodating and flexible when meeting with their clients in person or over the phone at your convenience. They should be willing to negotiate and communicate in different ways with spouses, judges and other attorneys – avoiding overly aggressive tactics which increase legal fees while being more adversarial towards children and alienating judges. They won’t shy away from taking unconventional approaches but always ensure they are legal and suitable to your case situation.
Affordability
People facing divorce on a limited budget often require legal advice that fits within their budget. Searching online for cheap attorneys will yield hundreds of results; however, cheap doesn’t always equate to best. More experienced attorneys often charge higher hourly rates but will ultimately save both time and money in the long run.
Ask your friends, family, and coworkers for referrals for an attorney who specializes in divorce law. This can provide valuable personal recommendations from those who have experienced similar situations themselves.
Establish whether an attorney charges by the hour or flat fee basis. Furthermore, inquire into any hidden costs that might apply to your case. By being organized when presenting legal paperwork to them, you may reduce billable hours significantly. Furthermore, some communities offer legal aid services that run low-cost or free family law clinics as an affordable alternative to private attorneys.
Reputation
When choosing a divorce attorney, it’s essential that they have an exceptional reputation. You can do this by getting personal referrals from friends and family who have gone through their own separation, as well as from attorneys you are considering. Furthermore, taking into consideration their experience level as well as any successes they’ve had handling similar cases is key in selecting an ideal candidate. Finally, determine whether their approach fits with yours as some lawyers might prefer taking an aggressive versus collaborative strategy approach while other may take more collaborative approaches themselves.
Assuring the best outcome from this difficult and stressful time is key; so take time to carefully consider all of these factors when making your choice.