Scribd
Upload
72 views2 pages

Cads

Getting a divorce is a traumatic event that requires navigating the complex legal system. When choosing a divorce attorney, it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with and can trust. You should get referrals from friends who have been through a divorce and ask about their experience. Schedule initial consultations with multiple attorneys to assess their competence in handling both legal and emotional issues. In the consultation, ask questions about billing rates, communication policies, and what to expect from the legal process. Developing effective lines of communication with your attorney is essential so they can advise you on your options and likely outcomes.

Uploaded by

api-456690308
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
72 views2 pages

Cads

Getting a divorce is a traumatic event that requires navigating the complex legal system. When choosing a divorce attorney, it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with and can trust. You should get referrals from friends who have been through a divorce and ask about their experience. Schedule initial consultations with multiple attorneys to assess their competence in handling both legal and emotional issues. In the consultation, ask questions about billing rates, communication policies, and what to expect from the legal process. Developing effective lines of communication with your attorney is essential so they can advise you on your options and likely outcomes.

Uploaded by

api-456690308
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

How To Choose A Divorce Attorney

Divorce, Food for Thought / By Michele Sacks Lowenstein

A divorce is one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life, ranking right up there with
the death of a loved one. A divorce is also one of the few times – and maybe the only time – a
person has to deal with the court system.

Ending a disintegrating marriage is made more difficult by the complexity of the divorce process
and the emotional stress of dealing with the issues of child custody and support and division of
assets.
Understanding the legal process is as baffling as trying to understand complex medical procedures,
and just as you need to trust your physician, you need to feel confident with your attorney during a
divorce. Your divorce attorney must be a combination of therapist, confidant, clergy person and
“legal eagle.” So, how do you find this person to whom you can entrust your future?

Get referrals from friends


If you have friends who have gone through a divorce, ask what they liked and disliked about their
attorneys. Was your friend’s case as complex or less complex than your own? Was the attorney
equally competent in handling emotional issues such as custody and “business” issues such as
division of assets? Also, ask about the attorney who represented your friend’s spouse.

Meet with several attorneys


Schedule appointments with several attorneys for consultations, and let the attorney know you are
in the interviewing process. Most attorneys won’t see you free of charge since they have only their
time and advice to sell, but some offer discounts for the initial consultation.

Ask the right questions


When you meet with an attorney, bring a list of questions regarding your concerns in choosing an
attorney as well as your personal concerns in the divorce case. Ask how the law firm bills its clients
and ascertain the billing rates for each person who will be working on your case.

Most attorneys charge for all time spent in working on your matter. This includes time for phone
calls, drafting court documents, court preparation and travel to the courthouse. It will be difficult
for any attorney to give you an accurate estimate of total costs for the divorce because there are so
many variables. Does your spouse want to reach a speedy resolution of the issues or is your spouse
going to litigate every issue? These factors will go a long way toward determining your ultimate
costs. No attorney will know all the issues at the initial consultation.

Be sure your attorney or someone in the office will return phone calls within a reasonable time and
that you will receive copies of all pleadings and correspondence received and generated. Also,
beware of any attorney who guarantees certain results. An attorney can only promise to use his or
her best efforts in representing you.

Develop lines of communication


Above all, you and your attorney should be able to communicate effectively. Your attorney can
only give you your choice of options and advise you as to the probable outcome of each option.
Remember, nothing is a “slam dunk.” As in the rest of life, the legal process does not issue any
guarantees.

If you would like to get divorce advice from a divorce attorney without committing to the cost of a
consultation, consider signing up for a Second Saturday Divorce Workshop.

Note: This information is not to be considered legal advice to create an attorney-client relationship.
Laws and practices vary from state to state. Taking legal information out of context generally has
negative consequences. If you have questions relating to your particular matter, you should contact an
attorney in your state for advice.

You might also like