Preparation
You must first acknowledge who is responsible for the end of your marriage before choosing a disability lawyer. Consider all factors which may be the cause of your divorce. This is crucial to choosing the right disability lawyer because each lawyer will require immediate communication about what happened between your spouse to see who may end up with compensation for any harm done (especially emotional damage). Remember to be prepared to know right away if your lawyer suits your needs.
Understanding Divorce Law
Divorce law in the United States protects the rights of divorcees who are not responsible for the end of their marriage. One responsible for the end of their marriage is typically due to the most common reason for divorce, infidelity.
Creating a List of Divorce Lawyers
Search for a lawyer online, in your area, or through any other means. Your main objective is to find a handful of lawyers with a long history of successfully handling similar divorce cases. A general rule of thumb for searching for a divorce lawyer should be prioritizing lawyers who have had a successful history with cases involving issues with various parties as they are more experienced with this area.
Pursuing your Divorce Case
Prior to seeking, consider your case and identify what you need in a divorce lawyer. If your divorce is amicable and low on conflict, you may not need a high-conflict litigator. However, if you anticipate disputes over child custody, asset division, or spousal support, you need to find a lawyer who possesses excellent negotiation and trial capabilities. Identifying your priorities will allow you to choose a lawyer who fits your specific needs.
Start by asking friends, relatives, or co-workers for referrals. Word of mouth will provide information on an attorney’s ability, professionalism, and people skills. Follow up with doing an online search for reviews, law firm websites, and state bar associations to find a competent divorce lawyer in your area.
Not all lawyers specialize in family law, so it is essential to choose an attorney with extensive experience in divorce cases. A lawyer who focuses on divorce and family law will be more familiar with relevant statutes, court procedures, and negotiation strategies. Check their track record of handling cases similar to yours, and inquire about their success rate in settlements versus court trials.
Good communication is necessary in any legal issue. Your divorce lawyer needs to be one who listens to you, interprets legal jargon in plain language, and responds to your questions promptly. Schedule a first consultation to find out if you feel at ease discussing personal concerns with the lawyer. A good lawyer needs to be empathetic but professional, treating you like a cared-for person throughout the process.
Divorce lawyers charge different fees based on their experience, reputation, and location. Some lawyers bill by the hour, while others bill flat rates for uncontested divorces. Ask the lawyer, before you hire him or her, to provide you with a breakdown of their fees and what other expenses you would have to incur. Cost is important, but it cannot be the sole factor. A highly experienced attorney might ultimately save you money in the long run by getting you a good settlement.
Client reviews and feedback can provide you with valuable information on the success of a lawyer. Look for feedback on their professionalism, responsiveness, and success in their cases. Where possible, ask the attorney to give you references from past clients who had similar divorce cases. This will allow you to know whether they have a track record of providing acceptable outcomes.
There are different lawyers who handle divorce cases in different ways. Some of them employ mediation and collaborative divorce, while others are litigators. Depending on your preferred method of working, choose a lawyer whose style suits your expectations. If you and your partner are open to negotiation, you can hire a lawyer who is experienced in mediation and can help you find a quicker and less expensive exit.
Before you commit to a decision, ensure that the attorney is licensed and standing well with the state bar association. You can check whether there are any disciplinary proceedings or complaints lodged against them. A good attorney must have a good standing in the legal community and a history of ethical practice.
Common Myths about Divorce Cases
- Divorcing your spouse is always very difficult.
- Many couples actually end their marriage without any hassle in very civil manner. That being said, divorcing your spouse may still be quite difficult, but do not expect it to turn out as such.
- Divorcing your spouse will always harm your children.
- Ending your marriage does not automatically mean that your children will suffer. It may seem that divorce will affect a child’s childhood, but really it is in your hands whether to comply and make divorce easier for your children.
- Infidelity will cause you to surrender everything in divorce.
- It may seem that an unfaithful partner will lose everything in their divorce case especially since they are responsible for the end of the marriage. Infidelity does not mean everything must be surrendered due to the fact that infidelity is not illegal in the United States.