How to Find a Divorce Lawyer in Dallas, Texas

Getting a divorce can be a harrowing experience. Having to find a divorce lawyer only adds to the tremendous emotional burden of ending your marriage. It's important not to let your emotions get in the way during this difficult time. Getting a divorce lawyer may also seem very costly, but ultimately having a lawyer on your side can reduce the costs associated with getting a divorce. Fortunately, there are many divorce lawyers in Dallas, Texas that can help you.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Determine how much you can afford to spend on your divorce proceedings. Lawyers in Dallas, Texas typically charge anywhere between $150 and $400 per hour or more. If you can't afford these kinds of hefty legal fees to pursue your divorce, consider hiring a paralegal, a legal student just out of college or a legal aid service.

2. Navigate to the FindLaw.com website. Click the "Find a Lawyer" link. Under "Legal Issue," search on the term "divorce." Under "Location" type "Dallas, Texas." Click "Find Lawyers." Click on the results that appear below the search box. If you are directed to a general page, click on the link to the "Family Law" or "Divorce" section of the lawyer's website.

3. Ask for a referral to a divorce lawyer if you already have or know a lawyer in Dallas, Texas that you trust. Also ask friends and family in Dallas if they've had a positive experience with a divorce lawyer in the area. Getting a referral can help you to to get a good divorce lawyer who will act in your best interests.

4. Check the American Bar Association website to ensure that the divorce lawyer you wish to interview is a member in good standing. Also check with the State Bar of Texas to ensure that he is a member in good standing of that bar, as well. You can also check the Better Business Bureau website to see if the divorce lawyer has had any serious complaints from clients or has an unsatisfactory rating. If you have difficulty finding the divorce lawyer on the BBB website, search on "Type of Business," type "attorneys" in the top field and type the zip code or type "Dallas" in the city field and "Texas" in the state field to see a list of Texas lawyers.

5. Call several divorce lawyers for a consultation. Don't forget to ask if there is a fee associated with the consultation. When you interview the Dallas divorce lawyers, be sure to ask lots of questions. Find out how long the lawyer has been in business, and whether divorce is his primary area of practice. Ask about his hourly fee and whether he ever charges a flat fee for handling divorce cases. Explain your situation to each divorce lawyer fully and ask for his advice on how to proceed. Don't make up your mind to choose the first Dallas divorce lawyer you meet with. Instead, commit to interviewing at least several divorce lawyers and make up your mind only after the interviews are complete. If the divorce lawyer is out of your price range or doesn't seem to have your best interest at heart, interview more lawyers until you find the right one.

Tips & Warnings

• The decision to get a divorce is a serious one. It's hard on children, especially if they're very young. Make sure you really have exhausted all options for reconciling your differences with your spouse before you make the final decision to get a divorce.

Resources

• Find a Dallas divorce lawyer on FindLaw.com
• American Bar Association website
• State Bar of Texas website
• Search for Dallas divorce lawyers on BBB.org

[chrisanimelo444]

on 8/12/2009 Divorce can be tough sometimes. Great tips.

[waters]

on 8/12/2009 Good information on how to find a divorce lawyer in Dallas, Texas.