What to Look for in a Divorce Lawyer: Qualities to Keep in Mind

qualities-of-divorce-lawyer

Let's face it; divorces are not accessible. They can be highly emotional and taxing on partners, family, and friends. The process requires you to answer personal questions about your marriage, your spouse, and how your marriage has affected both of you.

Do you know what to ask when interviewing divorce lawyers? What qualities should you look for in one? How will this person impact the outcome of your case?

A great divorce attorney understands the personal stressors that come with divorce and considers those from the moment they meet a new client.

Look for someone with experience representing clients in similar situations, such as assets, children, etc. You want to feel comfortable discussing everything with them so they can advise you on what to expect moving forward.

Confidentiality

Divorce is a personal, emotional process; some things often need to remain private. You don't want your divorce lawyer to share your personal information with another client or spouse.

To protect your privacy, you want to ensure that you and your divorce lawyer follow a strict code of confidentiality. This way, no one will know the details of your divorce case, including the judge overseeing your case.

Reputation

A divorce can be a long, drawn-out process, so you want to ensure you're working with someone who has a good reputation in the legal community and is well-respected by their peers.

You can learn more about an attorney's reputation by asking their references questions like:

  • What do they like/dislike about the attorney?
  • What has their experience been like with the attorney?
  • How long have they worked with the attorney?

If you want to get a good idea of an attorney's track record, look at the type of cases they've handled in the past. You can usually find this information on the attorney's website or ask them if they have a case history you can review.

Expertise in Family Law

Family law is the branch of law that covers issues surrounding the family, such as divorce, child custody, and adoption.

It is essential to find a divorce lawyer with experience with family law, especially if issues like child custody, child support, or spousal support come up during your divorce.

You want to find someone with experience handling these issues, usually the most complicated and contentious aspects of a divorce case.

Bias-Free Viewpoint

You want to ensure that the person you are hiring to represent you has no bias or prejudice toward your case.

Divorce attorneys make their living off divorces, and sometimes, attorneys have preferences that can show up in the courtroom, which can impact the outcome of your case.

You want to find an unbiased attorney who has no personal opinion of divorce and treats every case equally.

Negotiating Skills

Divorce is a very emotional time, and one of the most significant factors in a successful divorce is how well you and your attorney can negotiate.

Working with a divorce lawyer skilled at negotiation will help ensure that you can save money and end up with the best settlement for you and your family. You want to find a lawyer who is skilled at negotiation and has a background in family law.

Family law attorneys deal with divorces regularly, which means they understand the emotions of ending a marriage and can usually go to a fair resolution for both parties.

Commitment to your case's success

Finding a divorce attorney genuinely interested in your case's success and who wants to help you achieve a good result can be complex. Unfortunately, some divorce lawyers get a bad rap for not having their client's best interests at heart.

You want to ensure that the attorney you are hiring is committed to your case's success and has a genuine interest in helping you reach your desired outcome.

You can usually determine this by asking questions like:

  • Do you have experience with my type of case?
  • How do you go about representing your clients?
  • What are your views on child custody?
  • Are you committed to my case's success?

Conclusion

Choosing a divorce lawyer is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Divorces are very emotional, and you must be sure you are working with an attorney who is committed to helping you reach your desired outcome.

The divorce process can be long and complicated, but it doesn't have to be. With the right divorce lawyer on your side, the process can be much easier to navigate, and you can be on the road to recovery sooner rather than later.