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Going through a divorce can be a painful and overwhelming experience. You’ve invested time and energy into a relationship, but it appears the odds were against you. If you and your partner have decided to end your marriage, you probably require legal assistance for dissolving assets. And, in case you both have children, the custody of the kids. Choosing the right divorce attorney is one of the most important factors that determine the course of your divorce.
Couples often end up wasting a lot of money by jumping from lawyer to lawyer with the hopes of finding the right one. With this article, we will lay out all the factors that you should consider before you hire a divorce lawyer.
Be Realistic About Expectations When Choosing The Right Divorce Attorney
We’re aware that divorce can take a serious mental and emotional toll on you. But when deciding to end the legal contract of marriage, you must be realistic about your expectations. The main purpose of this legal process is to dissolve your assets and resolve custody issues. You may feel the need to off-load on your attorney with your problems and disappointments. Just remember that you’re not paying your attorney to be your therapist or counselor.
Divorce attorneys have higher rates and work around the clock to be your legal counsel. What may seem important to you may not be as important in the legal process. Be realistic about the expectations and the role your divorce attorney plays.
Consult Multiple Divorce Attorneys
Looking at different options and meeting several divorce lawyers before you stick to one is key to choosing the right attorney for you. We recommend that you do your homework beforehand. Before you deposit the money to retain one.
Trust is an important factor in determining your relationship with your attorney. You should set up an initial meeting to get a feel of what the lawyer is like. As well as, whether they will be the right fit for you.
Stay Focused on the Goal
The end goal for you is to finalize your divorce without facing any severe pushback to your lifestyle. However, couples usually end up bickering and arguing over material things. This doesn’t seem as important in the grand scheme of things. If you find your emotions taking control of you, then the chances are your divorce is going to be longer, more expensive, and more litigious.
None of these things should slow down the progress of your divorce. It’s your divorce attorney’s responsibility to finalize the divorce as quickly as possible with minimal financial damage.
Know What Your Priorities Are
There are alternative methods to traditional litigation which may not require a divorce attorney at all. You can opt for a mediator to negotiate the terms of your divorce if you feel like you aren’t getting tangled with children and finances.
Hiring a mediator is the fastest and cheapest way to get a divorce. You can also consider a collaborative divorce that is focused on negotiating the terms and preserving a co-parenting relationship. In the most extreme cases, when neither side is willing to compromise, a litigated trial becomes your only option. It’s up to you to decide what kind of divorce attorney you require based on your circumstances.
An Attorney from your Local Jurisdiction
Laws vary drastically across all states, even at the local level. It’s your job to look for an attorney who is well-versed with the regulations in your area. Even if they have the license to practice in several different states. When choosing a divorce attorney, look for an attorney that has a familiar relationship with the local officials and judges in your area.
If you wish to avoid court trials completely and want to keep your divorce as inexpensive as possible. Then look for a good negotiator that can help you reach a fair settlement without the matter ever reaching court.
Affordability
If you feel like you’re tight on budget and don’t wish to spend exuberant amounts of money in a divorce settlement, your best bet is to go for a relatively new lawyer as opposed to a seasoned professional. Inexperienced attorneys tend to cost less, and they are usually more willing to put in the extra hours of work compared to an attorney who has been practicing for years and has a solid reputation. Most family law attorneys bill their clients on an hourly basis.
Only a few agree to a flat fee based on the total time and the labor it will take to finalize your divorce. Other factors that influence the hourly rate are the region and area you’re located in. In the US, if you reside in the East or West Coast, the chances are that hiring a divorce attorney will be more expensive as compared to lawyers who are based in central states.
Be Mindful of Red Flags
There are plenty of divorce attorneys out there who tell you what you want to hear just to close the deal. One of the most significant decisions of your life is a mere business transaction for them. The divorce process can take any route, so be mindful of the promises your attorney is making. If an attorney isn’t respectful of their other clients or divorce attorneys you’re interviewing, the chances are that they won’t be respectful to you during negotiations and settlement.
You can tell a lot by the body language of your attorney. If they are constantly distracted by work calls or emails and can’t give you their full attention, the chances are that they won’t put you first during the settlement either. Your lawyer should act according to the professional ethics of the industry and should be able to put your needs and demands first.
Takeaway For Choosing The Right Divorce Attorney
Going through a divorce is painful, but with the right divorce attorney, this could turn out to be a much smoother process. Before choosing the right divorce attorney for yourself, you must stay realistic and keep the end goal in mind. Interviewing a bunch of attorneys before you stick to one is an important step in making sure that all your needs and expectations are met with respect and their full attention.
