The selection of a divorce lawyer is crucial not only to the ultimate outcome of your case, but also to how your case advances from start to finish in regards to tension for you and your kids, expense, and length of time.
The earliest phases of a separation and divorce are generally the most demanding, and clear-headed decision-making typically takes a back seat to an urgent desire to get it all over with quickly. As a result, many people end up with the wrong lawyer.
The selection of a divorce attorney is crucial not only to the ultimate outcome of your case, but also to how your case progresses from start to finish in terms of stress for you and your children, cost, and length of time.
It should come as no surprise that many people change attorneys throughout their divorce, although making a change can be expensive. Half of the cases I deal with at any given time are cases that were first dealt with by another attorney.
Here are six suggestions to help you avoid making the wrong choice when it comes to hiring a lawyer to manage your divorce:
Determine the potential need for a divorce lawyer early. If you understand a divorce is or may be on the horizon, it is worth your time to meet with a divorce lawyer so that you are familiar with one that you like prior to you are in a high-pressure circumstance to file or you are served with papers.
Googling "best divorce attorney" will only assist you find the attorneys with the finest websites, but not always the best skills. Financial consultants, therapists, attorneys practicing in other areas and CPAs generally know good divorce lawyers, as do individuals who have been separated in the last couple of years.
Employ a specialist. Lawyers that focus on family law/divorce cases are best located to assess your case effectively since they know the judges and the other divorce lawyers and have the most relevant understanding and experience to manage your case efficiently. They likewise are more updated on modifications and trends in the law.
Ask questions of the lawyer.
At your initial assessment, bring a list of concerns. A good lawyer will value your thoroughness. Suggested concerns to ask consist of:
For how long have you practiced household law?
- What is your approach to a new case?
- What portion of cases do you settle?
- What is your approach to settling a case?
- What retainer do you require in advance? Although the retainer should be within your cost variety, keep in mind that more affordable is not constantly better.
- Is any unused part of the retainer refundable? I would not advise hiring any attorney who will not reimburse the unused part of your retainer.
- Who in your firm will deal with my case and just how much will I spend for their time? Ask to be introduced to others who will deal with your case.
- How typically will I receive an accounting of my retainer? The answer must be at least as soon as a month.
Take inventory
After your meeting, ask yourself the following concerns:
- Did you feel comfy opening up to this attorney?
- Family Law Attorney Seattle Did you feel daunted by them?
- Were they an excellent listener, or did they spend the entire time singing their own applauds?
- Did you feel as though this lawyer would take a practical approach to your case? An useful however more pricey attorney is better than a less expensive lawyer without any clear game plan.
Attorneys do you an injustice if they just inform you what you desire to hear. In a divorce case, there is always going to be information that you do not want to hear. Unrealistic expectations serve no function other than to create lawyer costs.
Trust your gut. If something does not seem right, it probably isn't.
For more information, contact:
DuBois Cary Law Group, PLLC
927 N Northlake Way
Suite 210
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 547-1486