Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer

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

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:

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:

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.

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Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer