If you want a smooth and stress-free divorce, it is important to choose a divorce lawyer who understands and does what is best for you. Although it requires much effort and time to find the right lawyer, it is going to be worth it all when the lawyer makes the entire process simpler and less painful. If you are hunting for a suitable attorney and don’t know where to begin, here are a few tips you can use.
Search for the best lawyers
Start your search for an attorney who has specialized in family law. Find an attorney who can handle your case, no matter what it is –uncontested divorce, joint divorce filing or contested divorce. If the matter can be settled by mediation, you can hire an attorney with basic knowledge of family law and people skills. But if the relationship with your spouse has gone really bad and you are having a contested divorce, you’ll need a divorce lawyer who has the necessary knowledge and capability of handling the complex financial and child custody issues related to your case.
Verify the lawyer’s background and credentials
Choosing the best divorce lawyer is important for an uncomplicated trial or negotiation. To be sure that you are choosing the right lawyer, check the biography – qualifications, success rate, and the relationships they have with clients. Also, check the details of the law firm they are associated with, their reputation and success rate on the whole. Keep in mind that suggestions and references from friends and family can be of great help in choosing the most suitable lawyer for your case.
Compatibility
Another important thing to consider is your compatibility- good rapport and personal chemistry with your lawyer. If you want to work together in your case, you must trust them and be comfortable with their style and method of working. As the most important factor that governs a lawyer-client relation ship is trust, you must try to build it by being genuine and honest about the details you present.
Affordability
Before you appoint an attorney to handle your divorce, it is important to check the costs involved. Ask your lawyer about his fees and different expenses you need to incur for the case. The fee can vary depending on the lawyer’s experience, his success rate and also the area that you live in. While some lawyers charge for a case on the whole, some charge it on an hourly basis. It is better to shop around a little for a reasonable lawyer as divorce can involve significant changes in your finances, which need proper planning.
In case you cannot afford a divorce lawyer, you can apply for legal aid. However, your eligibility for that depends on a number of factors including your – financial situation, and issues of conflict like child support, child custody etc.
Ask questions
Lastly, you must put questions to every divorce lawyer you meet to clarify all your doubts and to assess if you are comfortable with them. Also, by asking questions related to your case, you will be able to judge if the lawyer has the necessary professional knowledge and expertise to tackle your case successfully.