Your attorney will play a key role in your divorce. You need to feel comfortable working with him or her. The following questions can help identify the correct attorney to partner with you during this trying time.
Use these questions during your initial consultation with attorneys. Do not be intimidated or embarrassed to ask tough questions; they are used to it. You need to understand your legal rights and choose the lawyer best suited to your needs.
Attorney Experience and Practice
How long have you been practicing law in this state? How long have you been practicing family law? Are you a Certified Family Law Specialist? If so, by whom are you certified? What percentage of your practice is devoted to family law? How many family law clients or cases do you currently have? Do you handle all aspects of divorce including child custody issues and disputes? What percentage of your divorce cases go to trial? Are you familiar with the family court judges in our city? If so, please explain. Are you willing to go to court or trial if necessary? Are you willing to settle cases or do you always go to trial? What percentage of divorce cases do you settle? What percentage of your cases settle before trial? During trial?
Legal Fees and Payments
What is your hourly rate? Do have separate rates for face-to-face, phone, and email? Are there different rates for associates, assistance, and paralegals? What is your retainer fee? Do you accept credit cards for monthly payments? How much do you estimate my divorce will/could cost? Will my spouse be required to pay any of my legal fees Can I withdraw money from a joint account to pay my divorce retainer? What happens if my retainer fee runs out before my divorce is finished? What happens if I can not afford to pay you completely during the divorce process?
One of the best ways to help you in your attorney selection process is to make yourself a list. I like to use a spreadsheet. Track names, numbers, email addresses, and any other information which can help you in your decision making process. I also suggest creating a ranking scale for each item you are comparing.
Of course after all your hard work in identifying the correct attorney, you then have to deal with a good working relationship as well. If you are not happy with your attorney or their staff, speak up. They are charging you a ton of money so make sure they are working for it. Do not just sit back and think they will do everything for you. Educate yourself and ask questions. You are the client. They are working for you. Remember that because there will come a time when you may need to remind them of the same.
By: Mark Pfenning
Divorce is an extremely traumatic process involving a lot of mental strain and extended financial burden. It is a major decision that individuals should take in their life after weighing all the pros and cons. It also involves other critical issues pertaining to the splitting of the marital relationship such as child custody, child visitation rights, child support payments and the distribution of property between the couple.
Law is an academic and theoretical discipline and the success of a lawyer depends on the practical application of legal theory and knowledge to solve real problems. Good lawyers are those who can do this effectively and protect the interests of their client. The best divorce lawyers are invariably those who have earned a reputation by consistently securing their client’s legal rights in various divorce cases.
In the United States, there are many reputed divorce lawyers in various towns and cities who are specialists in handling divorce cases in the jurisdiction of their respective states. The best way to decide which divorce lawyer to use is by finding out from former clients. Some divorce lawyers have more success at satisfying their clients than others. The best lawyers strive to help their clients through difficult emotional and legal challenges that often accompany family law issues.
For best long-term results, the best attorneys advise patience, negotiation, and working within the system. A few well-known law firms that have earned a reputation in handling divorce cases are mentioned below. Rager and Noiroux, LLP, located in Irvine, California, are a firm of lawyers who are known to provide assertive, experienced legal representation to clients throughout Orange County and all of Southern California in a range of practice areas. They have special expertise in family law. The Law Offices of Patricia A. Hendrickson, located in Huntington Beach, California, focuses exclusively on Family Law in Orange County. The law firm of Magnuson Lowell, P.S. has been serving its clients throughout Washington, including Seattle, Puget Sound, Bellevue, and Redmond. The above names are a few, of the many renowned legal practitioners in the United States.
By: Kent Pinkerton
