Did you know that according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, divorce is the second most stressful life event you could experience? From grieving your marriage to managing your children’s reactions to the news, going through a divorce can be extremely overwhelming.
In addition, navigating the legal complexities of a divorce can also take a toll on your overall well-being, mental health, and finances. That is why finding the right divorce attorney is crucial to making the divorce process easier to handle.
So, if you’ve been looking for tips to find the right lawyer to help you through this challenging time in your life, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for the complete guide on hiring a qualified divorce attorney.
Know What to Expect Financially
Getting divorced is a complex process that can cost a person thousands of dollars. In 2020, the average cost of divorce was over $12,000. Therefore, you must know where you stand financially and determine if you can afford legal help.
Although every divorce case can get messy depending on the circumstances, hiring an attorney will always be an excellent way to have a smoother process. So, discuss payment and fees at your first consultation with a divorce attorney to avoid any issues or misunderstandings later in the process.
Know What Qualities to Look For
Finding the right divorce attorney for you goes far beyond finances. Because divorce is such a stressful event, it is important to hire someone who has the following qualities:
Experience
You must find an attorney with plenty of experience in family and divorce law. If a lawyer has many years of experience handling cases similar to yours, they are most likely to be able to give you the best and most informed legal advice.
Success Rate
Even if a lawyer has many years of experience, asking them about their failure vs. success rate in a courtroom is still essential. So, make sure to thoroughly analyze the track records of the divorce attorneys that you are considering hiring. Hiring a divorce attorney who has been successful in most cases will give you peace of mind knowing that your case is in the right hands.
Communication Skills and Professionalism
Because of their role as negotiators, advocates, etc., divorce lawyers must be excellent communicators. So, when looking for the right attorney for you, take note of how they communicate with you in person, via phone, email, etc.
Likewise, take note of their level of professionalism in these conversations. If a divorce attorney lacks professionalism, you should not hire them.
In addition, make sure that whoever you are communicating with is also:
- Punctual
- Honest
- Polite
- Patient
A divorce is a very stressful life event, so finding an attorney who behaves professionally is crucial to making this process better for everyone involved.
Attentiveness
Finding someone attentive and detail-oriented can make all the difference in making a tough situation a little more bearable. The right divorce attorney will always keep you updated, ask you thorough questions, guide you through all of your case’s possibilities, and explain everything you don’t understand.
Availability
When looking for the right divorce attorney, you’ll want to find someone who can give your case the proper time and attention it needs. Finding a lawyer with plenty of experience and a great success rate is great, but if they can’t give your case the attention it deserves, you’ll be better off finding someone else who can.
Read Reviews and Testimonials
Besides talking to them, the best way to determine if a divorce attorney has all these important qualities is to read reviews and testimonials from other clients. Most times, you’ll be able to find testimonials on a lawyer’s website. If you can’t find any, a simple Google search might give you the information you are looking for.
Reading what other people in a similar situation have to say about a particular lawyer or firm can give you a lot of clarity about what to expect. If past clients have nothing but good things to say about a lawyer, you’ll probably be in really good hands if you end up hiring them to handle your case.
Discuss Your Needs
Once you find an attorney that matches your budget, has all the qualities discussed and has good testimonials, you should set up a meeting with them to talk about your needs. Every divorce is different, so the role of an attorney will depend on your specific circumstances.
Perhaps you only need someone to file and serve paperwork. Or, you might need someone to negotiate everything on your behalf. Whatever you need, you must let your lawyer know so that they can advise you on what to expect throughout the process.
Determine what issues you deem most important, and make sure your attorney knows. Communication with your lawyer is key in a divorce case, so make sure you discuss everything.
Hire the Right Divorce Attorney for You
Finding an experienced, trusted, and professional divorce attorney can make the grueling process of getting divorced more bearable. To find the best attorney for your needs, make sure to discuss finances, find someone with good qualities and values, and keep an open line of communication with them about your needs. Also, remember to read reviews and testimonials to ensure that their past clients are satisfied with their work.
Are you looking for the right divorce attorney for you in Dallas? You’ve come to the right place! Contact us today for a consultation.
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