Let’s face it; divorce can be highly invasive into your private life. And so it’s crucial you find a lawyer who you can genuinely trust with your affairs.
Plus, there are many aspects to a legal separation where an experienced divorce attorney can help you navigate. For example, finances and children will be challenging parts of divorce proceedings that deserve the best professional attention.
When picking divorce lawyers, there are a few factors to consider to make the process more transparent and easier to manage.
Here are seven factors to consider when picking divorce lawyers.
The Lawyer Is Supportive Of Your Cause
A good indicator for deciding on a divorce lawyer is whether you feel they are genuinely supportive of your cause.
Your lawyer should give you the time and attention you deserve and not be overwhelmed by various other cases. If they’re bogged down with different cases and aren’t focusing on your case fully, then you should consider another attorney.
In most cases, your lawyer will have a legal team supporting them. If they introduce you to the team and allow you to get to know the people helping with your case, it’s a good sign.
They Have Strong References
One of the best deciding factors of an excellent lawyer is they have plenty of strong references and reviews. They shouldn’t have anything they try to conceal.
And, if they have had some unsuccessful cases in the past, they should be open to letting you know what went wrong. Of course, not every lawyer is going to win all of their cases. But if your potential attorney can tell you what they learned from their failures, that can be a positive sign.
Asking previous clients for input about how they handled their cases is smart to choose a divorce lawyer. If you don’t know any of their former clients, ask for a list of names to call.
The bar association in your state can also help you determine if there have been any lawsuits lodged against the attorney you’re considering.
Do They Have Specialized Experience?
As much as references are essential, it’s no use if they are related to success stories irrelevant to your case.
It’s vital that you choose a Chicago divorce lawyer that understands your exact needs and has had plenty of experience in areas of divorce law that can push for a favorable outcome.
For example, you may have many questions to ask about child custody. As well, you might be wondering how to act around your ex-partner during the process. A good lawyer will have enough experience to advise you on how to be throughout the divorce process.
Furthermore, you might require an attorney that specializes in prenuptial agreements, estates, and wills.
What’s Their Courtroom Experience?
It’s always a possibility that your case will lead to a courtroom appearance. Make sure the divorce lawyer is comfortable and experienced in going to court before you hire them.
After meeting them, do you think they can argue your case in front of a judge and jury?
Or do you think they have any reservations about going to court?
These questions are important, as your attorney could try to reach an agreement without going to court because of their lack of experience and apprehensions. As a result, they may be willing to accept a lower divorce settlement than what could be possible if the case went in front of a judge.
Their Fees Are Clearly Laid Out
Comparing lawyer’s fees is a must before you commit to one and their services.
When you first meet any lawyer, they should make it clear how much they charge hourly. They should also mention how much their retainer fee is and how they conduct billing and payments.
Of course, many pathways can be taken during a divorce case, so it can be hard to calculate how much the entire process could cost. Yet, an experienced and transparent lawyer might be able to give you reasonable cost estimations of common scenarios that could occur in your case.
How Are Their Communication Skills?
Whether they’re in the courtroom or negotiating on your behalf at the table, your lawyer’s communication skills need to be top-notch.
They should be calm and professional in their manner. And your lawyer should have the ability to think and respond quickly to unforeseen circumstances that often occur in these sorts of cases.
Additionally, their strong communication skills should extend to your needs. Will they be readily available at a moment’s notice to listen to new developments in your case.
If your lawyer doesn’t communicate with you enough, they could miss important aspects of your case that can truly make a difference in the final decisions made about your divorce.
Get Your Papers in Order
When approaching various lawyers to determine if they are the best fit to represent your case, you first need to get organized.
Gather as much relevant information as possible relating to your marriage, financials, family living arrangements, and whatever else you think could help.
The more info each lawyer has about your situation, the more accurately they can consider a plan of attack. Other relevant documents can include phone records, evidence of infidelity, and mortgage documents, for instance.
Picking Divorce Lawyers Made Easy
The seven tips we’ve mentioned make picking divorce lawyers a lot easier.
Ultimately, the key is to be prepared with all the correct information when you visit several lawyers. Run through all the factors we’ve looked at and take notes while you have your consultation. Then later, you can weigh up the pros and cons of each attorney you’ve met.
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