Choosing a divorce attorney is a big decision to make when you are going through the divorce process. Your attorney will be representing your interests. They’ll be the ones to negotiate on your behalf when it comes to splitting up assets, settlement agreements, and even custody arrangements. So you want to make sure that you pick somebody who is a good fit for you. The most important factor is experience. Another thing to consider is your budget, and it’s important to find out fees upfront. You also need to keep in mind what your attorney’s role should be in the process. And finally, when actually choosing, meet with at least three attorneys to compare and contrast. Hopefully, you’ll find a divorce attorney who is a great fit for you and who will get you an agreeable settlement in your divorce.
Choosing a Divorce Attorney: Things to Consider When Picking
Look for Experience
The most important factor when choosing a divorce attorney is to look for experience. Your attorney needs to have plenty of relevant experience in family law. It’s also important for them to have contacts with other professionals in the field who you might need to work with as well. If a friend or family member recommends an attorney that they worked with, it’s still a good idea to speak to a few to make sure it’s a good fit for you personally.
Budget Concerns
Another thing to consider when choosing a divorce attorney is your budget for the divorce process. Attorneys range all over the board in terms of price. Make a plan for how much you are willing to spend and ask about overall costs when meeting with various lawyers. You can ask for their overall projected cost, retainer fee, the billing process, and hourly rate. They won’t be able to give you an exact amount for how much your divorce will cost but they should at least provide a frame of reference.
Know Their Role
When choosing a divorce attorney it’s important to remember what their actual role is in the divorce process. They are there to be your legal representation. They will fight for your best interests. However, they aren’t your therapist or your confidant. You may want to tell them all about how your ex treated you, but realistically this won’t affect your divorce proceeding much. Using the time that is billed hourly to discuss irrelevant things is not a really good use of your money. It’s important to feel comfortable with your attorney but they don’t need to be your best friend. Just find somebody that you trust and who you think will represent you well.
How to Choose
Finally, the actual process of choosing a divorce attorney is easiest if you start with at least three candidates and meet with all of them. Ask them questions about the process, how they bill, what their experience is, and if they’ve handled cases similar to yours in the past. You should also ask if they have plenty of contacts in the field. Hopefully, you’ll be able to narrow your choices down and find the attorney that fits you best.
Choosing a divorce attorney can have a huge impact on your divorce settlement. It’s important to pick the attorney that will represent your best interests. Look for somebody with plenty of related experience in the field. It’s great to have an attorney that has worked with cases similar to yours. In addition, make sure that whomever you hire is within your budget. Remember that you want to find somebody that you can trust with personal information, but you don’t want to blur the lines and treat them like a therapist or best friend. And finally, try interviewing at least three attorneys before narrowing down your decision. Hopefully, you’ll find an attorney who fits with you perfectly and who will represent your interests well and get you the settlement you want!