Tips on Choosing The Best Divorce Attorney
Divorce can be a painful and stressful experience for many. It is a legal proceeding that involves the dissolution of a marriage between husband and wife. There are two parties: the husband and the wife. Then there is a third party, which is commonly known as a divorce attorney. The role of a divorce attorney Nashville is very important because no marriage can ever be dissolved without the help of a divorce lawyer. Therefore, it is imperative for you to select the best divorce attorney in your area.
Make sure to get the views and opinion of people you know who have faced similar circumstances and have managed to handle it well. Ask them if they know someone who will not only provide you with legal support and guidance but will also take good care of your emotional needs. However, it would be wrong to get too captivated with the recommendation. You need to choose someone whose expertise and experience can prove valuable in your case.
It is time to collect the basic details about prospective lawyers. Look for their credentials and qualifications. Make sure to choose someone who possesses an extensive amount of experience in Family Law. Area of specialization plays a vital role in deciding the outcome. So you ought to look for someone who specializes in handling divorce-related cases. The more experienced the attorney, the better. You may even ask the prospective lawyer to show you his or her degrees and certificates.
Tips for How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer Who Will Be Right for You
Use Your Head But Listen to Your Gut.
The first nine tips are all important. They are logical and rational. But, when you’re trying to choose a divorce lawyer, logic isn’t the only thing you need. If you meet a divorce lawyer and the little voice in your head is screaming “Run!,” do yourself a favor. Listen to it! There’s probably a reason that your alarm system is going off. If you’re not sure whether you’re being overly sensitive, here are a few warning signs to look for.
Make a list of questions to ask BEFORE you interview any one.
It’s normal to be nervous when you go talk to a lawyer. That’s especially true when you’re talking about something as personal as divorce. Plus, going through a divorce itself is emotional.Your natural nervousness may make it difficult to focus when you are talking to an attorney. Once you are in an attorney’s office, you may forget what you wanted to ask. You also may not remember the lawyers’ answers.
Interview at least 2 or 3 lawyers before you choose a divorce lawyer.
Going to two or three different lawyers’ offices and telling your story over and over again can be exhausting. It’s tempting to want to just hire the first lawyer you meet. Resist the temptation. Take the time to meet at least two different attorneys.
Find a lawyer who is experienced in family law.
When you are getting a divorce you want to have an experienced attorney by your side. This is not the time to hire your cousin’s boyfriend’s uncle who specializes in estate planning. You need a lawyer who regularly works in divorce.
Take lawyer ratings with a grain of salt.
Lawyer rating agencies are not infallible. A lawyer who chooses not to advertise, or who doesn’t participate in a particular rating site’s program, may end up being rated poorly. That may be true even though s/he may be an amazing attorney. So, it’s often hard to tell if a lawyer is good or bad based solely on some lawyer rating agency.
Tips for Choosing the Right Divorce Attorney
Go with your “gut” – finding the right “fit” is a must in the attorney-client relationship.
Not every family law attorney will be the right fit for you, even the ones who coming highly recommended. If you value an attorney who can hold your hand throughout the process and educate you about each and every development throughout your case, be cautious of attorneys with too high of a caseload who may not have the time or support to be in communication with you. If you need an attorney to assist with the division of interests in a closely-held family business, you will need an attorney with a business background, or at the very least an attorney with a strong network of reliable financial consultants. Not all family law attorneys have the knowledge or skillset to handle high asset divorce cases. Likewise, not all family law attorneys are proficient at handling contentious custody matters or allegations of domestic violence or abuse and neglect. Don’t be afraid to ask your attorney if they’ve handled a case like yours. At the end of the day, you are your best advocate and you must follow your instincts when choosing an attorney to advocate on your behalf.
Choose an attorney who sets realistic expectations.
Domestic relations matters are by nature emotional because they involve conflict between people who were once in love but have developed irreconcilable differences. Betrayal, distrust, and hurt feelings are natural, as is anger. When anger dictates a client’s approach to their case, the client may want to inflict pain on the other party. However, tearing a “pound of flesh” doesn’t advance your case or your best interests. If you hire an attorney who will do exactly what you want without advising you along the way, then you are setting yourself up for failure. An attorney who fails to set realistic expectations will not only disappoint but will drag you through unnecessary turmoil in the process.
Choose a divorce lawyer you trust.
Throughout the divorce process, you will need to share private and sensitive information with your divorce attorney – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Your attorney must know everything that the other party may use against you. Bad facts are easier to manage if your attorney is made aware of them early on. Your attorney will also have a different perspective than you on whether certain facts are legally relevant or not. You must be able to trust your attorney and be comfortable opening up to them. With that in mind, remember that your attorney is not your best friend or your therapist; your attorney is there to “counsel” you by providing legal advice. If your attorney inserts him/herself too much into your life, their ability to provide objective, sound advice about your case can be compromised. The best attorneys are those who are able to maintain a caring distance, to be empathetic yet objective.
Prepare for your initial consultation.
Jerry Maguire’s repeated mantra, “help me help you, help me help you…” rings true for legal representation. If your lawyer works harder than you on your case, not only will your bill reflect as much, but so will your final outcome. Your attorney should have an intake process that not only screens for potential conflicts of interest but also streamlines identification of factual disputes and legal issues. When you attend your initial consultation, it is important that you come prepared with information about your family – know and be able to convey the assets and debts comprising your marital estate, all sources of income and expenses and the division of child rearing responsibilities. Your attorney should look for ways to provide cost-effective and efficient services, rather than ways to add billable hours. One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary costs and attorney’s fees is for you to help your attorney gather information and think outside the box. After all, you know the ins and outs of your life better than any attorney, mediator or judge ever will.
Find an attorney with experience in family law in your jurisdiction.
It is important that you find an attorney with experience in family law to handle your divorce, meaning a substantial portion of their practice should be invested in family law cases. An attorney who doesn’t specialize in divorce and custody matters may not be able to provide competent representation if they are unfamiliar with developing legal nuances. Not only should your attorney have family law experience, they should also have experience in your jurisdiction. An attorney who knows the local rules and procedures in your county and is familiar with the rulings and approach of your judge will be able to advise you on the best strategy to protect your interests.
TIPS FOR FINDING THE BEST DIVORCE ATTORNEY
Use the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
This law directory contains names and profile data of lawyers in the country. Use it to find experienced divorce attorneys. Talk to these attorneys and pick the one you like.
Get Referrals from Your Insurance Firm
Insurance agencies know many lawyers from different fields. Call your insurance agent and ask for a referral.
Visit Local Law Firms
Research law firms in your area and pay them a visit. Many firms offer free initial consultations. During your consultation. get more information on the kinds of cases they have experience working with.
Try the Classifieds
Pick up a magazine or go online to check the services section in the classifieds. You might get some luck and find a listing for a divorce attorney.
Use the Yellow Pages
Get the Yellow Pages and search the listings for divorce attorneys. You can either go old school with the physical yellow pages or look at an online directory.
Tips For How To Choose A Divorce Lawyer
Go with your gut. The first nine factors are all very logical and rational. But, when you meet a particular lawyer your gut starts screaming “Run!,” then do yourself a favor. Listen to your gut. If you are not sure what your gut is saying, here are a few hints.
Make a list of questions to ask BEFORE you interview any one. It’s normal to be nervous when you go talk to a lawyer, especially about something as personal as divorce. It’s also normal to be super-emotional when you are going through a divorce.
Interview at least 2 or 3 lawyers before you choose a divorce lawyer. Going to two or three different lawyers’ offices and telling your story over and over again can be exhausting. It’s tempting to want to just hire the first lawyer you meet.
Find a lawyer who is experienced in family law. This is not the time you want to talk to your cousin’s boyfriend’s uncle who specializes in estate planning, but is willing to do you a favor and handle your divorce.
Take lawyer ratings with a grain of salt. Lawyer rating agencies are not infallible. A lawyer who chooses not to advertise, or participate in a particular rating site’s program, may end up being rated poorly, even though s/he may be an amazing lawyer. Their mediocre rating is really only a reflection of the fact that that lawyer has chosen not to be part of the rating program.