Sunday, December 14, 2014

How to Find the Best Divorce Lawyer

A divorce lawyer is necessary if you're in the process of getting divorced or even if you're simply thinking about it. Everyone wants to hope for a positive resolution and if you're not the party who initiated the divorce, you might even be hoping that you and your spouse will work things out and stay together. However, you need to protect yourself. You can hope for the best while planning for the worst, and that's why you need a good divorce lawyer. Find an attorney who specializes in this type of law and who has a good reputation.

You need a lawyer with experience. If your best friend has a great real estate lawyer or your boss knows a good tax attorney, that's great but it's not going to help you with your divorce. Speak to lawyers who have experience with separations, custody arrangements, child support questions and divorce trials. You need to be prepared for anything and if this is new to you, it's essential that it's not the first time in divorce court for your attorney.

Reputation is also critical. It might be tempting to look for an attorney who is known to be difficult and aggressive. However, remember that you have to work with your lawyer too. Find someone with a personality that matches what you want out of this divorce. If you don't want a huge battle, work with an attorney who is well known for mediation. Talk to people who have worked with different lawyers and look at reviews online. You can get to know a lot about a professional's work and attitude by checking out an online reputation.

In many cases, a divorce lawyer will offer a free consultation. Take advantage of this. Explain your situation and get an idea of the direction the attorney would likely take if you were to hire him or her. Talk about your concerns, your priorities and what kind of outcome you're hoping for. You'll also need to think about your budget. Don't set your hopes on a high dollar attorney if you're barely able to cover the retainer.