How to Choose the Right Divorce Attorney for You

 Posted on July 09, 2014 in Divorce

One of the most important steps in going through a divorce is choosing your attorney. Having the right attorney can help determine how smooth, or how wrought with delays and frustrations your divorce will be.

When choosing an attorney, you should consider several candidates. Get referrals from several sources. If you have friends who have recently gone through divorces, ask them. Depending on how their divorces went, some may even recommend their ex-spouse's attorney instead of their own. It is also a good idea to get referrals from other attorneys. If you have an attorney you consult with for business or an estate planning attorney, contact them and ask them for a referral. You can also visit the websites of your local and state bar associations to get names of family law attorneys.

After gathering referrals, take the time to research each one in order to help whittle down the list of you will make interview. The Internet is a good place to do this research. Check out the attorney’s website, as well as their LinkedIn page and other social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.  Some of the things to consider while conducting your research are:

• Is the attorney part of a larger law firm with other family law attorneys in the practice?
• Does the attorney handle only family law or do they handle other types of law too?
• What is the usual client type this attorney represents (i.e. celebrity clients, business tycoons, etc.) and will this attorney be a good fit for you?

Once you have your list narrowed down, contact each potential candidate by telephone. The length of time it takes the attorney to return your call is usually a good indicator of how your case may be handled. During the conversation, ask the attorney about their fees and what is their retainer requirement is. If it turns out that you cannot afford the attorney, be honest and ask them for a recommendation.

The in-person meeting with the attorney is a good place to share the facts of your case and hear what their legal strategy would be. It’s also a good place to find out who else at the firm will also be handling your case and have the opportunity to meet them as well.

While interviewing attorneys, trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable with an attorney, then don’t hire them. Go with the one with whom you "click" best and with whom you feel the most comfortable.