A knowledgeable, qualified lawyer helps protect your interests during a divorce, which is particularly important during a bitter or drawn-out divorce. Hiring a lawyer to represent you during a divorce ensures all of the paperwork and legal issues are handled properly. Your specific divorce situation helps determine the best divorce lawyer for you. Assessing your needs, the lawyer's skills, and the dynamics between you and the divorce lawyer is essential.
Step 1
Assess your specific divorce situation. Consider the major issues that will arise, which may include child custody, child support, spousal support, division of assets, debt and other specific issues.
Step 2
Write a list of the qualifications and personal characteristics you want from your divorce lawyer. Consider whether you want a very aggressive lawyer or a more relaxed, sensitive lawyer.
Step 3
Ask friends, neighbors and acquaintances who have gone through a divorce for recommendations. Ask about the positive and negative experiences they had with the lawyers they used. Determine what type of divorce and what issues they had, so you can compare their situation to yours.
Step 4
Seek referrals from any professional resources you have. For example, if you and your spouse tried counseling before deciding to divorce, your counselor might provide you with a recommendation.
Step 5
Write a list of potential lawyers from all the recommendations you received. Include at least three lawyers whose qualifications best match your specific divorce situation based on the information you received.
Step 6
Interview each potential lawyer from your list to determine if she fits your needs and preferences. Describe your specific needs and ask questions about the lawyer's divorce procedures, including fees and payment options. Ask how communication will occur between you and the lawyer. Pay attention to how well each lawyer listens to your concerns and how she treats you.
Step 7
Select the lawyer that best matches your needs and preferences based on the interview, references and your overall instinct on the best choice.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep your needs as your priority when selecting a divorce lawyer. Do not let a lawyer, your spouse or anyone else pressure you into selecting representation that makes you uncomfortable. The style of lawyer your spouse hires for the divorce may affect your selection. For example, if he hires a very aggressive lawyer, you might not want to hire a gentle, laid-back lawyer.
