Your attorney can have an impact on your post-divorce future. If you hire an unqualified or inexperienced lawyer, you may find yourself at a significant disadvantage in the courtroom or at the negotiation table, and you may be ill-informed as to your rights. In choosing a divorce lawyer, be sure to review your options carefully.
Step 1
Ask friends for recommendations, which, according to Divorce Net, is the best way to start your search for a divorce lawyer. Be sure to get your friends' opinions of the attorneys' strengths and weaknesses, as well as their competence in the courtroom or during negotiations. Ask your friends to give an assessment of their lawyers' overall personality, style and responsiveness.
Step 2
Assess the attorneys' qualifications. Look for lawyers who have substantial experience in family law, particularly divorce cases, and who are familiar with the particular issues that are likely to arise in your divorce. For example, if child custody will be a thorny issue in your divorce, be sure that your lawyer has worked on--and won--complicated child custody battles.
Step 3
Interview the attorneys who meet your initial requirements. During the interviews, learn more about the attorneys' qualifications and assess your compatibility with them. Consider whether they speak in clear, understandable terms, and how well they listen to you and answer questions.
Step 4
Ask about fees and compare costs. Most divorce lawyers bill on an hourly basis as opposed to charging a flat fee. According to "Choosing a Divorce Attorney for Dummies," attorneys may charge anywhere from $100 to $600 per hour, plus expenses. Hire someone who meets your needs: for example, there's no need to hire a high-priced, high-powered shark for a divorce you know will be uncontested and amicable.
Tips and Warnings
- If your budget and schedule allow, meet with several attorneys before making a decision. Keep in mind that many attorneys offer discounts for the initial session. Remember that you will be spending many hours with your attorney, often revealing very intimate details of your life to her--she should make you feel both comfortable and confident.
