Divorce can be a nerve racking thing for anybody to go through. For a lot of people, this may be their first real experience in the legal system outside of minor traffic tickets. Even for those who have experience with the court system, the complexities of divorce law can make it frustrating. This is why it’s important to have a good divorce lawyer representing you. This is an obvious rule for a lot of people, but it’s important to understand that you need a good lawyer and actually getting a good lawyer are two different things entirely. Let’s take a closer look and see just what you need to know when it comes to choosing a great divorce lawyer.
Talk to People You Know
One of the best ways to find a good divorce lawyer is by talking to friends, family members, and professional colleagues. If you know anyone who’s gone through a divorce, ask them if they have any good recommendations. A lot of the time, they will have gone through much of this same process before and will be able to tell you what to look out for and exactly what to expect.
Don’t Be Afraid to Look Around
There’s no reason to just go with the first lawyer, even if you like him. Make sure to check around to a variety of different divorce lawyers and really get a feel for what your options are. Not all divorce lawyers are created equally. It’s important to find someone who not only has the experience you require in the area you need, but also one that you can get along with well and one that will be easy to work with.
Cost
One big consideration to make is the cost of the lawyer. The act of getting a divorce itself can already potentially cause financial disruptions and havoc. Make sure you talk with potential divorce lawyers carefully about what sort of costs are going to accrue throughout the divorce proceedings.
Interview Them
Once you’ve gotten a list of good divorce lawyers from friends or ones you’ve found online, go to each of them and go through an interview process. You’ll want to be straightforward with them and ask them questions such as how much support you can get, how much property you will retain, what their working hours are, what kind of expenses can come up, and how they bill. Also, make sure to pay close attention to them while you’re interviewing them. If they seem to be only half listening or are answering emails or taking phone calls while you’re talking with them then it’s obvious that they aren’t paying full attention to you. This lack of attention could impact their ability to represent you in court. In addition to that, make sure they aren’t talking too specifically about past clients, as they may talk about you in the same way with other clients. You’re going to be working with this lawyer for a considerable amount of time, so it’s important to trust your instincts and go with someone that you feel comfortable with.
While choosing a great divorce lawyer can seem tough at first, it’s important to just remember to find a few to choose from and ultimately trust your own instincts.
Christopher Steven is an avid blogger from Tulsa, Oklahoma who is passionate about encouraging healthy family values for all communities while working with the Gorospe & Smith Tulsa Divorce Lawyer Firm in his own community.
