According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), every year about 827,000 couples divorce. Not every divorce requires attorneys; an uncontested divorce refers to a mutually desired dissolution of marriage. Some divorces do require each party to obtain the services of an attorney. This guide explains when to hire a lawyer and how to find the right one for you.
Knowing When You Need to Hire an Attorney
How do you know when to hire a lawyer? These signs reveal it’s time to find the right divorce attorney for you, according to Kona Lawyer. If your spouse filed for divorce and retained an attorney, cheated on you, endangered your child, you’ve experienced domestic violence, or there is a lack of commitment in your marriage, it may be time to file a divorce and hire an attorney.
Finding the Right Divorce Attorney for Your Situation
Instead of hiring the first divorce attorney you come across, conduct a search for a lawyer who specializes in your overarching divorce needs, such as child custody or business division. Start your search at the local Bar Association of the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers. Automatically nix any lawyer with a connection to your spouse.
Lawyers Who Specialize in Divorce
Finding an attorney who specializes in matters of divorce can provide you with better-than-average results. For example, in most divorce cases, the court awards the noncustodial parent 88 days per year with their child. Hiring a divorce attorney who specializes in child custody can help you earn a more even visitation split.
Look for Local Lawyers
Consider those attorneys local to you, so they know the family law judges and court system you’ll navigate. Individuals with local knowledge can best strategize your divorce.
Prioritize Good Communicators
Prioritize those who communicate well. You’ll need to open up to this person about tough things, such as, in cases of infidelity, the individual who entered your marriage, like the 30% of burglars who pry open an unlocked door or window. You need someone who will listen and understand, so compassion matters.
Consider Lawyers with Reasonable Fees
Search for attorneys with reasonable fees. You shouldn’t need to finance your divorce with a personal loan. Each attorney should provide you with an estimate of the cost of getting the divorce and of the settlement they think you could receive. Nix lawyers that charge exorbitant fees or create pie-in-the-sky settlement projections.
Focus on Attorneys Who Primarily Practice Family Law
Find an experienced attorney whose practice centers around family law. Refer to their client’s reviews and testimonials on websites like Avvo to learn more about what others say working with them is like.
Interview the Top Three Options
Interview the top three lawyers from your search to find the right divorce attorney. This interview process probably won’t cost you anything, since most lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Eliminate any attorney who cannot walk you through the divorce process in the local family court system. They should each be able to describe, in detail, the filing process and any mediation involved.
Check their qualifications and references before hiring anyone. Eliminate those who misrepresent their skills or advise you to say nothing to your spouse’s attorneys.
Your Divorce Attorney Should Represent You Well
Once you’ve hired your lawyer, fire them if they don’t respond to your phone calls or emails, or if they bully you. If they adopt a condescending attitude or otherwise treat you with disrespect, fire them. Excessive billing and not knowing the specifics of your case offer the final reasons to fire your lawyer. Your divorce attorney should make the process of obtaining a divorce easier, so prioritize finding the right one for you.