Divorce can be a complex legal process, making having legal advice an absolute necessity in cases involving power imbalances or domestic violence.
Family law attorneys often specialize in certain subject areas. This can save both time and money by not having to sift through unnecessary information.
Hiring the appropriate divorce attorney will give you peace of mind during this difficult process. When selecting an attorney, keep these factors in mind:
Experience
Like doctors, mechanics, contractors and other professionals, not all lawyers are created equal. An effective lawyer’s knowledge of law, writing skills, courtroom litigation skills and negotiation abilities all play a factor into how well they perform their duties.
Finding an experienced family law attorney who understands your specific situation and goals can make or break your divorce case. Interview several candidates before selecting one; ask questions to determine their level of experience so you can achieve what you desire in terms of results from your divorce proceeding.
First and foremost, ask how many divorce cases your attorney has handled and inquire as to their complexity. Complex cases could involve contentious child custody battles, high net worth financial settlements, valuation of businesses or assets as well as any number of other factors which require much greater expertise than simply dividing property without regard for joint custody arrangements.
An essential question when searching for an attorney to represent your divorce case is how they approach divorce cases. There are various approaches, from mediation to trial. You should seek a representative who knows about the specific type of divorce that pertains to you and can explain its pros and cons.
A competent attorney should reassure and guide your case clearly, offering clear guidance as they go along. They should present both good news and bad, giving their best advice in both instances; not being afraid to deliver difficult messages even if it means telling you things you may not want to hear.
Your lawyer should let you know whether they will be handling the entire case themselves or will need help from other family law attorneys within their firm to protect your rights and interests. Most divorce cases are very complex and it takes multiple attorneys working in tandem to make sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish; if collaborating attorneys need one another’s qualifications in order to work effectively together.
Reputation
As with mechanics who specialize in Jaguar repairs or heart surgeons who treat cardiac conditions, lawyers today specialize in various legal fields – be it family law, personal injury law or medical malpractice law – so choosing one with experience in your specific case area is paramount to reaching the desired result.
At an initial consultation, inquire into a lawyer’s approach to divorce. Some attorneys use alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation to resolve issues less adversarially and cost effectively than traditional trials; on the other hand, an aggressive advocate of litigation could be a red flag.
Search for an attorney with an excellent local reputation. Achieving this feat shows that they are highly esteemed among legal practitioners, giving you peace of mind that the attorney can best represent your best interests in court.
One way to assess an attorney’s reputation online is through reading client reviews on websites such as Google or Yelp. Furthermore, inquire into their communication skills and case management methodology; an effective family lawyer should respond quickly and keep you up-to-date about its status.
Make sure the attorney you select has extensive knowledge of local divorce laws. Since these can differ depending on where your case takes place, selecting a local attorney with familiarity of court and judges that will hear it is often preferable.
Miriam E Zakarin of New York City boasts an enviable track record in her practice of divorce and family law. She provides clients with aggressive representation across a wide spectrum of areas such as high net worth divorce, custody/visitation issues, equitable distribution issues and support motions. Miriam is certified mediator as well as being active with New York Association of Collaborative Professionals.
Fees
When hiring a divorce attorney, make sure you fully understand their fees. Some lawyers charge by the hour while others have flat fees for entire cases. Also inquire whether there are paralegals or legal assistants that assist them with their work, which can reduce time spent per client and may help prepare paperwork as well. If financial constraints prevent you from affording professional legal advice there are various alternatives including pro bono representation or Legal Aid available as alternatives.
When interviewing potential lawyers, ask about their courtroom experience. Find out how often they have appeared before judges or settled cases out-of-court, as well as asking about which types of divorce cases they have handled and their outcomes; this will provide an accurate picture of their level of expertise.
Conflict between you and your spouse also plays a factor in the cost of divorce attorneys, so any ability for communication that leads to agreements on custody, property division and alimony without court being necessary can save both time and money for both of you.
If your spouse is difficult to negotiate with or your assets are complex, a qualified divorce attorney will be necessary in order to protect your interests and ensure a smoother process. In addition to paying their fees and costs associated with divorce proceedings.
Prior to making a final decision on an attorney, seek referrals from friends and family who have gone through a divorce before. Their insights may help you select an appropriate one based on your unique situation; additionally they can give an understanding of strengths and weaknesses of each attorney in addition to how well they communicate with clients. You can also research attorneys in your local area using the Internet.
Communication
A great divorce attorney listens carefully to their clients and provides sound legal guidance based on facts and the law. Additionally, they should help navigate their clients through the emotional roller coaster of a divorce by setting realistic expectations and clearly communicating and outlining their position when communicating with opposing counsel or judges.
Divorces involve many conversations between both parties; effective listening skills and confidence speaking publicly are crucial in this type of exchange.
As your case moves forward, there may be moments when a divorce attorney must assert themselves and be firm with their client. This is particularly important when discussing infidelity or other marital issues which threaten to derail the divorce process. An effective divorce lawyer can remain calm while assertively protecting their client’s rights against aggressive counterclaims from their spouse.
One of the hallmarks of good communication in divorce law is prompt responses to client calls and emails. Although your attorney may have multiple cases simultaneously, they should still aim to answer all your inquiries within an acceptable timeline. If they fail to do this, it may indicate they’re not the ideal attorney for your situation.
An effective divorce attorney should also be capable of effectively communicating with other professionals such as insurance companies and financial planners on your behalf – this is particularly crucial in complex divorce cases involving multiple assets and debt.
Finally, an effective divorce attorney must uphold high ethical standards and show great consideration when communicating with their clients. They will speak in an appropriate tone when communicating with clients, never discussing confidential information with anyone outside their client without permission – including family and friends who could potentially be subpoenaed for court testimony in the future.
