How to Pick a Divorce Attorney
You and your spouse have decided to get divorced. This is a major turning point in your life, whether you have been married a short time or for 40 years. Everything you have known for the last years is going to change and eventually you will be single again. You will have to split assets and liabilities. If there are children involved, you will have to work out a custody and visitation schedule. Your life as you knew it will no longer exist and you will want to have a better life after divorce. For this reason, you will need to pick a divorce attorney who is going to represent you in light of your best interests.
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Instructions
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Even if an attorney was referred to you, you should check the attorney out carefully. The first thing you want to do is to check to be sure the attorney is a member of the state bar. This is a requirement in most, if not all states. You can go to most bar association web sites and look up an attorney name. Check for bar complaints against the attorney. Sometimes bar complaints can be unfounded, but most of the time, there is cause to be concerned if an attorney has a bar complaint filed against him/her. If the attorney referral service is online through the bar’s web site, the attorney should have a notation with their name and contact information regarding any disciplinary action taken against them. It is likely that bar complaint will only show up if the attorney was disciplined.
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If you know someone else that was represented by the attorney, ask them their opinion of the attorney as far as work product and communication with the client about the case. Also find out what that person thinks of the attorney’s personality and how they handled the case in an overall fashion.
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Do a Google or Yahoo search on the attorney. Sometimes court documents will come up in the search and you can review some of that attorney’s work product. You will also be able to see if the attorney has any published writings in the area of family law.
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Check to see if the attorney is board certified. Being board certified is not a requirement, but is definitely a feather in the attorney’s hat.
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Accept at least three consultations with attorneys. Some attorneys do charge a consult fee. Always ask if there is a fee and what the fee is. Usually attorneys who charge a consult fee are willing to spend more time with you and answer more questions than an attorney giving a free consult.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose your attorney carefully as you future is in his hands.
Check out all possible references including but not limited to bar association web sites and search for the attorney's name on search engines
