Four Steps to Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer

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Tips on How to Choose the Right Divorce LawyerGoing through a divorce can be a traumatic and stressful experience. You feel like your world is collapsing, and you are not thinking clearly. Before going through divorce proceedings, it is important to have an experienced attorney by your side. However, it can be difficult to know which attorney is right for you. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right divorce lawyer.1. Form a ListYou need to create a list of possible attorneys. The list you prepare should be based on the following criteria:• References from friends and family• Area of expertise• County where you reside• Website2. Set up a ConsultationAfter you have narrowed down your list, you need to make an appointment to meet with the attorney. You need to interview the lawyer, and ask him questions about your case. Some of the questions you need to ask the attorney include:• How many cases have you handled?• How much will I be charged?• Will you bill me?• How can I contact you?• Who will handle my case?• Will you keep me informed?It is important that you feel comfortable with the lawyer. He needs to be someone you trust to handle your case. He needs to be friendly, pleasant and welcoming. You also need to be aware of some red flags. You need to be cautious of lawyers who:• Guarantees you of a certain outcome• Criticizes other lawyers you are considering• Answers other phone calls while you are in the office• Name drops of important people they have represented3. Be patientYou should not hire a lawyer after meeting with him once. Make sure you interview several candidates, and think about it before you make a decision. You need to call him to see how promptly he returns your phone calls.4. Choose your LawyerAfter you have taken the proper steps, you are then ready to decide on an attorney. You might have a difficult time deciding, so go with your instinct, and choose the one that will be a good fit for you. You will be sharing personal details with this person, so you need a lawyer that makes you feel relaxed and at ease. Your attorney will then help you get through this horrible time in your life.

Going through a divorce can be a traumatic and stressful experience. You feel like your world is collapsing and you are not thinking clearly. When you are that stressed and confused it is important to have an experienced attorney by your side. However, it can be difficult to know which attorney is right for you. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right one.

 

Step #1 Create a List of Potential Attorneys

 

You need to create a list of possible attorneys for your case. The list you prepare should be based on the following criteria:

 

  • References from friends and family
  • Area of expertise
  • County where you reside
  • Website

 

Step #2  Set up a Consultation


After you have narrowed down your list you should schedule appointments to meet with the attorneys. You need to interview the lawyers, and ask them questions about your case. Some of the questions you need to ask include:

 

  • How many cases have you handled?
  • How much will I be charged?
  • Will you bill me?
  • How can I contact you?
  • Who will handle my case?
  • How will you keep me informed of the status of my case?

 

It is important that you feel comfortable with the lawyer. He needs to be someone you trust to handle your case. He needs to be friendly, pleasant and welcoming. You also need to be aware of some red flags. You need to be cautious of lawyers who:

 

  • Guarantees you of a certain outcome
  • Criticizes other lawyers you are considering
  • Answers other phone calls while you are in the office
  • Name drops of important people they have represented

 

Step #3  Be Patient


Usually you should not hire a lawyer after meeting with him once. The exception to this step would be if you have a very short  window of time to work with, such as when you have been served with notice of a hearing that is scheduled very soon.  Ideally you will interview several candidates and think about it before you make a decision. You need to call the lawyer to see how promptly he/she returns your phone calls.

 

Step #4 Choose your Lawyer


After following these steps you are then ready to select the right attorney for your case. If you have a difficult time deciding go with your instinct, that will give you the best chance of making a good choice. You will be sharing personal details with this person, so you need a lawyer that makes you feel relaxed and at ease. If you would like more information check out the three minute video I did with more details on how to pick the right divorce lawyer.

 

About the Author

 

Scott Morgan is a board certified family law attorney in Texas. The Morgan Law Firm has offices in Austin and Houston. You cou can visit either site to get the firm's free ebook "Eight Secrets to a Fair Property Division in a Texas Divorce."