Getting a personal recommendation for a divorce lawyer will save you the heartache of getting a bad attorney. Most people know at least one person who has gone through a divorce, so reach out to anyone you know that can refer someone. If you can’t get a personal referral, check with the state Bar Association and find out if your potential attorney has ever had any complaints filed against him.
Get to Know Him or Her
Meet with your prospective attorney several times before hiring him to take your case. Divorce lawyers have different styles of handling cases, and it is important to make sure that your lawyer’s personality matches your goals. If you have a difficult spouse who is hiding assets and wants to make the case challenging, you may need a “bulldog” attorney who will fight aggressively.
If, on the other hand, there are children involved in the process, an aggressive lawyer can be the wrong choice. He may choose to fight instead of settle, which increases the tension and the damage to the children. Beware of a lawyer who threatens to “take him to the cleaners,” or “destroy her life.”
Divorce lawyers get paid more when there is more disagreement and conflict. Find an ethical attorney who will settle your case quickly and allow you to move on.
When it comes to hiring an attorney for your divorce, getting the right one for your case is crucial.