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Divorce Lawyers
Despite all the jokes you hear, divorce lawyers can provide you with
sound legal advice and help you avoid costly
mistakes when your marriage ends. Since the divorce process involves many legal
technicalities (which can affect your well being for
many years to come), it's a good idea to have someone on your side who knows
what they are doing.
First of all, don't
take any actions that can affect your rights before seeking legal counsel.
If you are considering a divorce, or if your spouse has initiated divorce proceedings, the first thing
that you need to do is consult with a divorce attorney who specializes in family law.
It's also not a good idea to use the same
divorce lawyer that your husband has retained (not only is this conflict of
interest, but you won't be properly represented).
You can begin your search for an attorney by seeking referrals
through friends and family, your state bar association, or searching for divorce
lawyers in the directories found on the internet. One such service is
LegalMatchwhich allows you to present your case, and respond only to attorneys who want to help you.
Ultimately, you want to choose a lawyer who is willing to work with you and fight for your rights.
Once you have identified some potential divorce lawyers, you need to set up an
initial interview. This will give you the opportunity to find out how your case will be handled and see if you
feel comfortable with the lawyer. During this initial meeting, you can discuss the
following issues to help you choose the best lawyer for you.
Questions To Ask
What is your experience? How many divorce cases have you handled? Are
you a member of the American Academy of
Matrimonial Lawyers? (To belong to this association, divorce lawyers must have practiced
family law for at least ten years, and have 75% of his or her practice in this
area. Also, don't be afraid to ask for references.)
How long will my divorce take? What steps are involved in the divorce process? (Getting
a realistic time-frame can help you avoid the frustration that your divorce
is taking too long.)
How can I get in touch with you? Are phone calls encouraged, what are the best times to call,
and how promptly are calls returned. Do you prefer scheduled
appointments to discuss my case? (You need to feel comfortable that you can get
in touch with your attorney if an emergency comes up.)
How much will my divorce cost? How much are the filing fees? Is there a retainer? What things are charged for at an hourly rate?
Is a monthly bill sent out? (You need to get a good idea of how much money you
can expect to spend on your divorce.)
Who will be handling my divorce? Do you have the time to give my case the attention it deserves? Will you or your legal assistant be handling my case?
(If the issues in your divorce are fairly uncomplicated and won't be
contested, it's okay to have a legal assistant handle the majority of the
paperwork. If a legal assistant is involved, find out what the hourly rate for their
service is?)
What is your view on settlement versus litigation? (You don’t want to battle
your divorce out in court if it’s not necessary.)
Do you have a written retainer agreement? (It's a good idea to have
a retainer agreement that
states what the divorce lawyer agrees to do during your divorce, and how much you will be
billed and how often.)
You will probably need to interview a few lawyers before you find one that you are
comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Divorce lawyers are there to
help you make many important decisions and should be willing to discuss any of
your concerns. If they have specific suggestions
for your case, ask them how it can affect you in the future. While this is new territory to you,
a skilled attorney is used to navigating all the issues. Remember that you are paying
for their knowledge.
If you and your spouse can agree on how to divide your property and settle
issues related to your children, you might consider an filing out your own
forms. With 3StepDivorce.com, you receive detailed instructions
and explanations to complete your divorce online. Your divorce papers will be filled
out specific to your state, your children (if you have any), and
your individual incomes. You can view your divorce papers
immediately for some states, and within 24 hours for other states. Click here
for more information about filing your own divorce forms.
