Divorce can be an emotional roller-coaster. To navigate it successfully, it’s crucial that you have an attorney on your side who possesses knowledge in family law and understands how the court system functions.
When choosing an attorney, select one who listens carefully to your concerns, explains legal concepts clearly, and is easily available if any questions or advice is needed. Also take into consideration their caseload so you know you are top priority for them.
You Want Someone On Your Side
A skilled divorce attorney knows how to help you negotiate the terms of a settlement agreement, whether that be custody of children, property division or spousal support. They’ll ensure your interests are safeguarded while offering legal guidance throughout the process.
Divorce attorneys understand the turmoil involved with going through a divorce can be extremely emotional and have years of experience helping clients through this process. Their track record speaks for itself: providing advice and providing guidance is impeccable.
Experienced attorneys are invaluable when one spouse attempts to manipulate or intimidate the other in any way during a divorce proceeding, which could cause one party to give up assets they want or agree to terms that do not suit their best interest. Hiring an experienced divorce attorney will keep them under control while protecting you against retaliatory actions taken against either party and will give you peace of mind during this difficult period.
You Want Someone Who Can Explain the Law
A top-tier divorce attorney should take the time to explain legal concepts clearly, making your consultation easy to follow and answering all questions you might have. Be wary if they offer to charge fees after their consultation has finished!
An experienced attorney can also explain how your case might resolve outside of court. Many divorces can be resolved through mediation or collaborative law instead of going through contentious litigation proceedings.
Finding an attorney familiar with local family law can be crucial. Each jurisdiction imposes different laws, and judges often have specific requests on how cases should be managed.
Be sure to ask about their fee structure when selecting an attorney. As it’s common practice for attorneys to assign cases to younger associates, it is crucial that you know who will be handling your case from start to finish. Also keep an eye out for responsiveness from attorneys in emergency situations or outside their scheduled appointments.
You Want Someone to Help You Navigate the Courts
Even when both spouses are on friendly terms, communicating about communal property and spousal support issues can be challenging. A competent divorce attorney can help keep both parties informed by gathering relevant data from both of you, filing documents with the court and drafting and submitting paperwork – they may also determine to what extent their counsel communicates with either party about your case.
Divorce proceedings follow strict regulations for what must be filed by whom and when. Missing deadlines or providing inappropriate documentation could prove disastrous to your case, which is why hiring an experienced divorce attorney is so crucial – they will ensure all paperwork meets legal requirements, alleviating some stress from you so you can focus on maintaining emotional well-being while moving forward with life.
You Want Someone to Help You Make the Right Decisions
Divorce can be emotionally taxing. You will need to make many important decisions that will have long-term ramifications for both of you, which may involve making emotional choices rather than rational ones based on what your spouse wants or doesn’t want you to do. A lawyer can help remove emotion from these decisions so you can make sound choices based on reason instead of what their partner might or might not want you to do.
Many attorneys are motivated by money. Divorce law tends to attract bottom-feeding lawyers who will do anything it takes – including engaging in unethical or unprofessional conduct or bullying tactics – in order to obtain clients or cases.
Speak to an attorney who specializes in divorce law and issues most pertinent to your own situation, then inquire as to their expertise, case methods and fee structures. Providing your lawyer with as much information up front helps them represent you more efficiently; and helps avoid surprises which could turn out to be very expensive surprises!