Whether you were the one who requested the divorce, or you were suddenly served with papers you never expected, divorce is hard. There is a lot to consider and plenty that you will have to worry about. However, you can alleviate some of that stress when you take the time to hire a divorce lawyer.
Although you might be skilled in your day job and you might have a good head on your shoulders, it is often a good idea to work with a lawyer. Only if you and your spouse are on the same page about every aspect of the divorce should you try to handle it on your own. If there are conflicts and concerns, you will want to look for an attorney sooner rather than later.
Below are some tips that you will want to keep in mind when you are looking for an attorney for your divorce.
Don’t Fall for Advertisements
One of the big mistakes that a lot of men make when looking for a divorce attorney is choosing the first lawyer they find. You have to realize that not all attorneys are the same, and just because someone has a big advertisement on television or in the paper, it doesn’t mean they are the right solution for your case. You don’t want to let slick advertisements fool you into choosing the wrong attorney.
Research the Attorney and Firm
What you need to do is take the time to research the attorney and the firm they work for with just as much vigor as you would when buying any product. Essentially, you are buying the services of the attorney. You want the best because a lot rides on the outcome of your divorce.
Therefore, you need to learn more about the lawyer you are considering hiring. How much experience do they have in the field? Have they helped with negotiating settlements for cases like yours? Have they gone to court and fought for their client with cases similar to yours?
Check out reviews and testimonials about the attorney, as well. These can help to give you a better idea of how it will be to work with those lawyers. If you see a lot of issues in reviews, it could be a red flag. Proceed with caution and start looking for a different attorney.
Choose a Specialist
You want to be sure you are working with an attorney who specializes in divorce. They should have more than just a passing familiarity with divorce and with cases like yours. You want to work with someone you feel knows what you are going through and who has seen issues similar to what you are facing. That gives you more confidence that they can put together a plan and strategy that will help keep you and your interests protected during the divorce.
Have a Consultation
You can’t make your final decision based on a website or a couple of reviews that you read. After all, choosing your divorce lawyer is too important. Therefore, you will want to have a consultation with some of the attorneys you are considering. Modern Law offers a limited number of free consultations on their bi-monthly Pro Bono Day, but if you want to get an initial game plan and strategy in place, it may be better to use a paid consultation where you will walk away with more comprehensive information. Some people use these meetings to build a do-it-yourself divorce using the attorney’s strategies while plugging in help from one of our licensed paralegals who specialize in doing the paperwork for you.
In any consultation, whether paid or free, you will need to present the facts of your case, ask questions, and get to know more about how the attorney operates, etc.
Take advantage of these consultations to learn more about what you can expect from your case. Also, pay attention to how you feel regarding the attorney and how they talk with you.
Choose an Attorney Who Respects Your Opinions and Worries
Sometimes, attorneys can become jaded to divorce cases. They have seen and handled just about everything. While it can be good to have this demeanor, you also want an attorney that understands and respects your worries, fears, and the elements of your case that make you anxious. If the attorney doesn’t consider the things that make you worry and if they don’t listen to any of your opinions, they may not be the right attorney for you.
Keep in mind, though, that sometimes, the attorneys do have what’s best for you in mind. Therefore, they may not agree with the way you want to handle certain parts of the case. If this happens, though, you want the attorney to be eloquent enough that they can explain their position and why it benefits you. Sometimes, the attorney will have a better solution, even though it might not be the one that you want to hear right now.
Don’t Limit Yourself to Male Attorneys
Here is one of the other areas where a lot of men have trouble when it comes to choosing an attorney. They feel that they should stick to choosing a male attorney, but this is a mistake. Whether it is some antiquated and foolish gender bias or it’s because you feel that your wife hurt you so you can’t trust other women, it’s nonsense.
You will find that some of the best divorce attorneys are women. A person’s sex doesn’t determine their ability to navigate the law and represent you. Additionally, you may find that having another perspective in the case that isn’t male could be beneficial.
Work with Someone You Trust
Ultimately, you are going to want to work with someone that you can trust. Only hire an attorney that you feel can handle your case and who has your best interests in mind. Sometimes, if you get the feeling that you aren’t going to get the type of guidance and protection you need, it’s okay to go with your gut. If you don’t have complete faith in the attorney, choose someone else sooner rather than later.
