23 June 2021

How to Find a Divorce Lawyer

divorce-separation-marriage-breakup-split

If you’re in the market for a divorce lawyer, you may not even know where to start in terms of finding the right lawyer for you. An attorney search can certainly be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never had to shop for attorney services before. And, if you’re a bit strapped for cash, you may even find yourself needing free legal service. No matter the reasons for your needs, it’s important that you know how to find the right lawyer for you, and to also know what questions to ask as you narrow your choices down.

Step 1. Referral

Finding an attorney that specializes in family and divorce law does not have to be too difficult. You may want to start out by asking family and friends that have been in a similar situation. Word of mouth is often times the best form of advertising.

Step 2. Bar Associations

You can locate a good majority of lawyers by calling or searching through the database of bar associations. All practicing attorneys must be members of their own state bar, but many states then break bar associations down by county. Databases will give information regarding the type of law each attorney practices, along with contact information.

Step 3. Online Review Websites

Another way to locate lawyers for your legal needs is to read online reviews. Many people post their experiences in detail so that you can get a better idea on what to expect with any particular lawyer. For example, some lawyers will defer most of the case work to their assistants and paralegals, while others prefer to handle the cases themselves.

Also, some lawyers will require a significant up-front deposit, while some will work with you on payment plans. It’s helpful to hear experiences from past clients so you know what you’re going into with each individual attorney.

Questions to Ask

Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, you’ll want to interview each attorney to determine if he or she is the right choice for you. Some of the more important questions to ask are:

How long have you been practicing family law?

Experience is key when to comes to selecting a lawyer to represent you. You want an attorney who has up-to-date knowledge on the divorce process, as well as knowledge as to how the judges in your area typically rule on cases.

How Do You Handle Billing in Your Firm?

You’ll want to know what the lawyer’s hourly rate is, and if he or she charges for extra support staff? It’s important to understand this before you are billed. Also, you’ll want to ask if the attorney bills monthly, and what his or her policy is on filing fees and other court costs. Some law firms want those fees paid up front, while others will tack that fee onto their billing.

While it is very important that you feel your divorce lawyer cares about you and your situation, it’s also important that your divorce lawyer is honest and upfront, and also has experience in the divorce law field. Reaching out to an experienced attorney as soon as you can will help you go through the process with peace of mind, which is hard to attain in such a difficult time in your life.