Divorce Lawyers
Divorce lawyers provide legal advice to clients who are ending their
marriage. Turning the matter over to an outside party may actually be a
relief to a client, since once they do so, they have someone who can
attempt to negotiate a settlement on their behalf.
In describing how a divorce lawyer can help, the expression, "Why buy a
guard dog and then bark yourself?" may come to mind.
Finding the Best Divorce Lawyer
How do you find the best divorce lawyer for you? You can start by
asking people you know who have been through a divorce about the person
who represented them. Referrals from friends, coworkers or family
members can help you find a divorce lawyer you can work with.
Other Methods
If you can't find a divorce lawyer by asking people you know, consider
looking for lawyers in your area by conducting an online search. The
Yellow Pages is another source of local divorce lawyers. The State Bar
Association should also be able to provide a referral to a licensed
attorney.
Retaining a Divorce Lawyer
Before you decide to hire (retain) a divorce lawyer, arrange an
appointment with him or her. You will be working very closely with this
person and sharing some very sensitive information during the divorce
process, so you will want to be sure the person you choose is someone
you feel comfortable dealing with.
Be sure to ask questions about the lawyer's level of experience and
whether he or she will be working on your case personally or if a more
junior lawyer will be looking after it under the supervision of more
experienced legal counsel.
Cost for Services
Most lawyers charge by the hour for their services. Traditionally, the
longer the process takes, the more the client will have to pay to end
his or her marriage. Some lawyers will offer a flat fee arrangement for
their services, but this option is usually limited to straightforward
cases where the divorce is an uncontested one.
A straightforward divorce is one where the couple has been able to
negotiate a settlement themselves for dividing their marital property,
as well as custody, child and spousal support.
Experienced Lawyer and Cost
Since more experienced lawyers can get higher rates for their services,
a client who wants to keep costs down may opt to work with a less
experienced attorney. A firm that has more than one divorce lawyer may
be a good choice, since a newer (and less expensive) lawyer can work on
the file. If the junior lawyer has questions, he or she can get
guidance from a more experienced member of the firm.
Which Lawyer is Best?
The best divorce lawyer is someone who makes his or her client feel
comfortable. The client can help his or her lawyer by providing all
relevant documents in a timely manner, and being clear about what they
want to achieve when negotiating a settlement. Doing so can help to
keep the process moving and keep legal fees down, too.