Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer

Published on: 15 March 2019 Last Updated on: 13 September 2024
Divorce Lawyer

Going through a divorce is already traumatic. Hiring a divorce lawyer shouldn’t be. You already have so much to think about. If you have children and combined assets, the process of divorce would become even more tangled. If your lawyer is good, you can avoid a long tussle and solve things fast so you can put the disturbing past behind you and move on.

Hiring a lawyer is a very important task. Your future is at stake here. Your emotional and financial health is in your lawyer’s hands. The longer you have been in the marriage the more tangled the case becomes. If you have debts, dividing these could be tricky. There would be a lot of clauses that need to be looked into to divide these debts and assets.

If you’re going through the divorce with a lawyer, chances are that your partner has a lawyer too. Since law proceedings can go any way, it is extremely important that you choose a lawyer that can help you get your fair share of the years and life that you built together with your partner.

We can understand that the entire situation must be really overwhelming for you so we’ve put together a list of the top factors that you need to consider while hiring a lawyer.

Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer:

Attorney’s experience:

Attorney’s experience

It goes without saying that your attorney must have experience with divorce proceedings. Law is a tricky boat to steer and unless your lawyer has some experience he would not be aware of the obstacles he needs to steer past. Now even while looking for a lawyer, check their credentials and certifications. You could personally check up with these some of the people they’ve worked with in the past. It would give you a fair idea of how the lawyer works. The biggest thing that you’d find out is their credibility. It is important that you go through many of their previous clients to make an informed decision. Fred Coover of Coover Law advises considering the experience and local reputation of a divorce lawyer before hiring them. Any big decision needs groundwork. Put in some time and effort to browse through the lawyer directory in your area and sift through their cases. Everything is available online, so you could do this any time.

Lawyers generally have multiple cases in different branches that they work in their careers. Choose a lawyer that has experience in specifically divorce cases. This would tell you that they know their way around divorce proceedings.

Background check:

After checking their experience, check up on the lawyer’s background and how credible they are. If they have a reputation of unscrupulous methods of filing and fighting cases, you may want to steer clear. You don’t want to be stuck with a lawyer who doesn’t do things ethically because this could put your case in jeopardy as well. Divorce proceedings should be a one-time thing. You don’t want to go through the mental trauma again. If your lawyer employs unscrupulous methods, the case could be open again and you may have to compensate more than you received in the divorce hearing.

Contact the local bar council and find out about the lawyer you’re thinking of hiring. They would be in the best position to advise you and give you information about the lawyer you’re seeking.

Communication:

Since filing cases is all about communication, when you meet the lawyer, you must be able to communicate with them effectively. Everyone’s way of communication is different and you must find one for yourself with whom you can communicate. If you feel like the lawyer isn’t true to what they say, move on to the next. Most lawyers who have been in practice for a long time have a fixed way of working and you shouldn’t have problems. In case you do, move on to find another attorney. They must be available for you via calls, emails or be open to meeting in person in their work hours. This shows that the lawyer is committed to your case.

As Jim Parke from leading Melbourne law firm tells us, “Divorce is a very emotional and stressful time for the parties involved. It’s important to hire a lawyer who is sympathetic and understanding but also acts swiftly so things can be done in a timely manner”. The last thing you want is a drawn-out process which makes the event even harder to deal with. His legal practice ensures divorce proceedings are taken care of quickly.

Fees of the attorney:

lawyers charge

While hiring a lawyer, inquire about their fees. Some lawyers charge by the hour and some for consultation. The normal rate that most experienced divorce lawyers charge is anywhere between $100 to $200 for consultation.

Clear the paperwork and discuss the mode of payment clearly with them. Are the payments properly invoiced? Will any fees be refunded if you don’t employ their services. Lawyers charge a retainer fee which is an upfront fee. Check with the lawyer if this fees will be refunded in case you decide to terminate the contract midway. Ensure that the contract mentions all these terms clearly before signing.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Accident at Work

Here’s What You Do After Being Involved in an Accident at Work

When you go to work each day, you probably expect to return home safely. Of course, there are jobs that are more dangerous than others, like law enforcement positions or construction work, but for the most part, people don’t apply for a job they expect to be injured in regularly. Yet, accidents at work can happen any time and anywhere. Victims of on-the-job injuries are required to file for worker’s compensation benefits. These benefits help you to pay your medical bills and compensate for time off of work due to your injury, but they don’t usually cover everything. To ensure you get all of the rights that you are entitled to after an accident at work, here is what you need to do. Your Next Steps After an On-the-Job Injury First, you’ll need to be sure to get medical care as soon as possible. If it’s a serious injury, head straight to the emergency room without any other concerns, but then follow up with your employer for a list of physicians who can continue treating you under your worker’s compensation plan. Skipping this step can result in denial of any other benefits, including lost wages. You’ll need to be sure you follow the proper protocols for reporting your injury, too. Heading to the emergency room is the one time you can skip this step, but be sure that you file a report of your injury as soon as you can to your employer. In the report, document all details of the accident and your injury. If you went to the hospital afterward, include the hospital name and dates and copies of any discharge records you were given. This report is crucial, no matter how minor you feel your injuries are because more serious injuries are often silent and crop up later on, but filing for a worker’s compensation claim has strict deadlines attached to it. Once you have been assigned a doctor to go to for treatment, be sure to attend your visits regularly and follow the doctor’s orders. If you stop treating before the doctor releases you, you may lose your worker’s compensation benefits, but even worse, you may end up with more serious injuries if you were not fully healed. As you are going through these steps, take care to document all of your missed work and save the receipts for any money that you spend on your treatment. These out-of-pocket expenses can include everything from gas mileage to head to the doctor to prescriptions and medical treatment that was not paid for by your worker’s compensation plan. Should you choose to file a lawsuit later, you may be able to recoup all of these expenses and more. Finally, take the time to talk to knowledgable workers’ compensation accident attorneys. They can guide you along this difficult path, advise you on what you can expect to deal with, and inform you of your rights. Whether you think you may choose to pursue a lawsuit or not, it’s always a smart idea to know your legal options. Follow These Steps to Your Recovery: The most important aspect that happens after an accident is your recovery. By following these few basic steps, you should have nothing standing in the way of your healing and you can focus on getting better rather than the stress of getting your medical treatment covered. Read Also: Do I Need A Lawyer For A Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault? How To Find A Personal Injury Attorney On Any Budget Discovering And Recovering From Identify Theft Why Skilled Workers Will Own The Future

READ MOREDetails
Divorce

How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in the UK?

This is a question that most people in the initial stages of the divorce process will ask. The best answer is; it depends on your particular situation. But in this post, we will take a look at how long the process should take and what you can do to speed it up brought to you by Goodman Ray. The Myths vs. Reality: 58% of people polled think that it takes years to complete a divorce. But this is normally far from the truth. It is realistically possible to complete the process in as little as four to six months. Uncontested divorces, in particular, don’t take too long to complete since it is often only a matter of filing the paperwork correctly. It is, however, important to note that while the process of ending a marriage can be completed quickly, other processes can take longer. This is true if the couple struggles to resolve matters like finances and matters pertaining to their children. Dedicated Divorce Centers: In the past, divorce petitions were filed at the local county courts and checked by district judges, which was time-consuming. To streamline the process and allocate resources more effectively, this system was recently replaced. Now there are 11 dedicated regional divorce centers whose main task is to process these legal separations. Therefore, if the toy is petitioning for a divorce, you ate required to send your documents to the nearest divorce center. Here, the documents will be processed by legal advisers instead of judges. This new system is aimed at speeding up the first two stages of the divorce process. It is, however, worth noting that you’ll still have to wait 6 weeks and a day to get the decree nisi. How to Speed Up the Divorce Process: Despite the fact that the time it takes to get a divorce can vary, there are several things you can do to speed up the process. The following are just some of the best; If possible, try to get an agreement from your spouse on the reason for filing the divorce petition. If they don’t agree and decide to contest the divorce, the process could take longer than you want. It is also very important to make sure that you file the paperwork on time. This is true for both the respondent and the petitioner. This helps to minimize the wasted time that could add unnecessary time to the process. Also, ensure that you don’t make any mistakes when filling the paperwork. Mistakes can also cause significant delays of anything from 6 t0 8 weeks. This is because you may have to redo the paperwork. It is advisable to get legal help when completing the form to ensure there are minimal errors. Getting Started: The biggest delay in the divorce process often comes at the very beginning of the process, even before either party has filed the petition. This is because most couples, about 76% try to solve the problems in the marriage rather than seek a legal separation. The average couple will spend up to 18 months trying to keep their marriage from breaking down. Getting a divorce is no doubt one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make and it does require bravery. A survey found that 11% of people will hold back from getting divorced because of the stigma around it. The average person may take up to 2 years thinking about getting a divorce rather than just taking the first step. Finances and Arrangements for the Children: Even after you have your decree absolute, the divorce process itself may not be over. Certain matters including finances and arrangements for the children can complicate the process. Choosing to go to court to resolve these issues can cost you a lot of time and money. It is often a good idea to seek other means of resolving them such as mediation and collaborative law. A prenuptial or a postnuptial agreement can also help. Read Also: How To Get A Cheap Divorce In Texas What Are The Grounds For Divorce In Illinois? Divorce Lawyers In Houston Texas: A Short Guide On Saving Your Marriage

READ MOREDetails
accident

Know What To Do When You Get In An Accident

Accidents are inevitable. They just happen, no matter how cautious you are, the other drivers will not do the same. You need to keep in mind that even if you do not drive a vehicle, you can be a part of an accident. What you can do, however, is to know your rights in an accident. You need to know the dos and don’ts and what should be expected of you and the consequences of your actions. The best place to know all about your legal rights is through a legal firm Bellevue car accident attorney is one of the best in the market for such situations. Apart from a law firm, here are a few legal rights you should be aware of when you get into an accident. Know What To Do When You Get In An Accident: 1. Call The Police: Most authorities necessitate that you make a report of car accidents including injuries or property harm. In any occasion, you will probably need the accident to be reported to help later with the insurance-related procedure. If you were not to blame for the mishap, getting a police report can help validate your case and may likewise give valuable evidence down the line. 2. Make Sure Everyone is Ok: Check if any of the people involved in the accident are alright or need medical attention. Notice the accident scene to see if any hazards could bring on additional damage, for example, spilling gas or electric sparkles. Call for help promptly if there are any wounds. 3. Talk To The Other Driver: Get the other driver’s name, address, driver's license number and license plate number. Likewise, record a description of the vehicle and request to see their insurance card with the goal that you can use this information later. Try not to talk about the reason for the mishap or apologize as these statements can be utilized against you. 4. Take Pictures: Take photos of the area of the accident. Make sure that you take pictures of the following: -          The area of the accident and position of the vehicles -          The damage to your vehicle and the damage to the other vehicle involved in the accident -          Evidence of debris on the roadway -          Injuries if any and other things you think might be important. 5. Look For The Witnesses: Assess the scene and decide whether there are any observers. Request the observer's contact info and ask them to remain at the scene to state what happened. Check for any surveillance cameras close by that may have caught the accident, for example, a traffic camera or a camera from a close-by business. 6. Be Polite: Even though it can be easier said than done, be polite. You should not lose your temper and say things that can be used against you in court. You should never under any circumstances ever threaten the other party. 7. Legal Actions: Last but not least, you should always get a lawyer on your side to handle everything – from insurance to damage claims, from court case to talking to the witnesses and looking for pieces of evidence, they will take care of it all. Make sure that you do not lie to the legal authorities or everything in your favor will backfire and you might end up in jail instead of roaming around freely. Read Also: Personal Injury Attorneys Denver Tips and Tricks to Hire the Best Lawyer for Your Case

READ MOREDetails