How to Hire a Massachusetts Divorce Lawyer
Hiring a divorce lawyer may be one of the most important things that you do during your divorce process. In addition to making sure that the lawyer is experienced in family law cases and has a proven history of success in divorce litigation, there are several tactics that you can use to hire a divorce lawyer. By accessing the legal directories provided by the Massachusetts Bar Association and attending a consultation with potential lawyers, you can hire a divorce lawyer to best represent your legal needs.
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Instructions
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Search for a divorce lawyer in reputable legal directories. One excellent legal directory resources is found at the website for the Massachusetts Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service, which you can access in the Resources below. This referral service will put you in contact with an experienced member attorney. The attorney will charge you a $25 consultation fee for a 30-minute consultation, but any time after that will be a set fee or the lawyer's regular hourly fee.
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Attend a consultation with a potential divorce lawyer. Ask about his experience handling divorce cases in Massachusetts. A good lawyer will have experience with the state divorce laws. Some lawyers may have client testimonials available, which are always good sources of information regarding the lawyer's experience. Keep in mind that a lawyer will charge you a consultation fee. Take note of the way that the lawyer and his staff treat you as a potential client. It is positive if he is prompt and attentive, and if you have a generally good feeling about working with him on your case. Just because you see one lawyer at a consultation, doesn't mean you have to commit to hiring him. You can consult with several lawyers before deciding on the one best for you and your case.
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Pay a retainer fee and sign a retainer agreement. Some lawyers require a retainer fee, which in many cases is similar to a pre-payment of the lawyer's services on your behalf. The retainer fee also may cover additional on-call counseling and advice from your lawyer regarding your case. If the lawyer does not require a retainer fee, ask what his hourly rate is and about any additional expenses. A lawyer's hourly rates are oftentimes negotiable.
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Tips & Warnings
If at any time you are not satisfied with the lawyer that you have hired, you can terminate your relationship. Keep in mind that you must pay for all outstanding hourly services that the lawyer provided to you, and in many cases, retainer fees are nonrefundable.
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