How to Choose the Right Divorce Lawyer

Unfortunately, a high percentage of marriages end in divorce. If you're one of the individuals who has come to the end of a marital relationship and is seeking a divorce, it is important that you choose the right divorce lawyer to handle your case.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check out the divorce lawyer’s experience. Make sure your divorce attorney is experienced with family and divorce law. Just because your cousin Mary is a successful business attorney, it doesn’t mean that she can properly handle your divorce. You want an attorney that has ample experience handling divorce cases.
2. Visit the website for your state’s Bar Association. You want to make sure that your attorney has an up to date and valid license. You also want to make sure your divorce attorney is not in violation of any state requirements. You do not want to hire an attorney only to find out mid-way through the process that your lawyer is practicing law illegally.
3. Develop a rapport. You'll be spending a lot of time communicating with your divorce lawyer. Whether it’s a phone conversation, face-to-face meeting or written correspondence, you want your lawyer to be responsive and to consider your case a priority. Developing a good rapport is one way to ensure that your lawyer will go the extra mile to ensure your case gets the attention it needs. This does not imply that an attorney will neglect your case if you don’t get along with your lawyer, but a good relationship promotes more enthusiasm than a poor one. You want your lawyer to return your calls ASAP and not put your message on the bottom of the ‘calls to return’ pile.
4. Understand your divorce lawyer’s lingo. If your lawyer is condescending and speaks to you in legalese, it’s time to search for another one. It is extremely important that you understand everything the lawyer tells you. One misinterpreted statement could cost you.
5. Choose a divorce lawyer that has courtroom experience. If you have an inkling that your divorce will go to trial, you need to choose a lawyer that is comfortable in the courtroom.
6. Decide what you can afford. Divorce lawyer services range in price. Get a detailed price/cost explanation before you sign on the dotted line. If the lawyer is too expensive and you cannot afford to pay for the services, don’t waste your time. Look for a divorce lawyer you can afford.