Divorce is complicated and hard enough to begin with. But hiring a divorce lawyer doesn’t have to add to the stress.
While this might seem like an arduous task at first, there are certain steps you can follow to ensure that you’re hiring the right family attorney. If you do thorough research and interview several prospective candidates, you should be able to find a divorce lawyer that fits your needs and budget. But knowing what to look for during this search can certainly help. Here are some tips for conducting your search for a divorce lawyer near you: Identify your needs: The first thing you’ll want to do is determine your needs, starting with whether or not you actually need an attorney for the divorce. If you and your spouse have very few assets and no children, you may not need a divorce lawyer in order to come to an agreement. Ask for referrals: Turn to your family and friends, particularly any which have gone through a divorce. See if they have any recommendations for you. A referral from someone you trust can go a long way. Take to the Web: The internet not only is a great place to perform some preliminary research, it also allows you to check out an attorney’s website, which can help determine how reputable they are. Client testimonials can also often be found on a lawyer’s webpage. Look for family law specialization: There are all kinds of lawyers out there and many of them have certain areas of law that they specialize in. If you’re looking for a divorce lawyer, you’ll want to narrow down your search to family attorneys who are board certified and experienced. Check bar records: Check the bar records for your state and see if there are any complaints or if there has been disciplinary action taken against the attorneys you are considering. This can really help narrow down your list. Conduct interviews: Once you’ve created a shortlist of candidates, it’s time to start setting up interviews. Be sure to do you research and come up with plenty of questions to ask prior to each appointment, and pay special attention to an attorney’s demeanor and focus while you are talking to them. Get details in writing: Once you’ve chosen a divorce lawyer, make sure you get whatever details were discussed between the two of you in writing. This will help solidify that you are getting the services and approach you truly need.
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