You are already stressed and now you face the daunting task of finding a divorce attorney. But the search won’t be too difficult if you approach choosing legal services like selecting other products and services. You simply have to do your homework. And, taking your time to find the right lawyer will be worth it, as they are more likely to help you win your case.
The first task is to gather a list of names. Use the following sources.
-Friends who have gone through a divorce
-Other lawyers-they are aware of reputations in a particular practice field
-Local bar association
-State bar association (Public Resources)
-Search online for local attorneys
-Better Business Bureau (BBB.org)
Once you have several divorce lawyer referrals make a list of names, address, phone number, and website. Review each attorney’s website. Look for general information on your legal issue, including frequently asked questions (FAQ) section. The best attorneys will maintain well-developed websites offering a lot of information.
Small versus large practice-since you are only looking for someone to help you with your divorce case, you should feel comfortable with a small firm.
It is now time to do one on one interviews. Using your list of candidates, make a consultation appointment with each lawyer. Most attorneys will do consultation appointments for free. But make certain you know whether or not you will be charged. And bring any documents to the meeting that you feel are relevant to your case.
Make a list of questions relevant to your particular situation. The attorney should not have any problem answering any question you may have. He or she should not sound hesitant or unsure. Take notes during the interview. Questions you might ask are-
How long have they been in practice?
What is their track record of success?
What percentage of their caseload is dedicated to handling your type of legal problem?
What are their fees and how are they structured? What additional costs may be involved in addition to lawyer fees (postage, filing fees, copy fees, etc.)? How often will you be billed?
Can they provide references from other clients?
Do they have a written fee agreement or representation agreement?
How will they inform you of developments in your case?
You should also ask who your primary contact throughout the case will be. Will you hear mostly from an assistant or junior colleague? You should know who to contact with questions about your case.
Remember that you are interviewing the attorney for a job. Treat your meeting as such, a job interview. If you feel as though the attorney isn’t listening to you or isn’t answering your questions, pick a different attorney on your list.
If you are satisfied with the attorney’s answers and you feel that you would be comfortable working with them, then you just hired a lawyer to handle your divorce case. Congratulations!
