Choosing The Right Divorce Law Firm

Anyone involved in a case concerning family law can find the experience both emotionally and financially draining. When going through the process of a separation from a husband or wife, one should be sure to locate a divorce law firm to represent their best interests and protect their individual rights. But how does one go about the selection process? In this article, we will outline a few ideas worth considering when beginning the task of finding an attorney.

Make a List

The first step for anyone seeking a quality divorce attorney is determining exactly what you want the lawyer to do for you. It is often a common mistake to go into the process with the idea that your attorney will simply handle the case, however in order to obtain the best results, it's important to be clear about what it is you're looking for. The following is a list of questions to consider posing before moving forward in your search.

1. How much involvement do you want?
2. Are your priorities more along the lines of protecting your financial interests or with that of your children?
3. Are options such as arbitration or mediation options you'd consider pursuing?
4. If you have children, would you consider joint custody?
5. Is the divorce a friendly matter, or one which may become more of a battle?
6. Are you considering relocation after the divorce?
7. Is the cost associated with hiring an attorney an issue?

One of the hardest aspects of this process is narrowing the field of candidates down to a number from which you can make a selection. As there is a wide assortment of practices and lawyers fighting for your business, it can be difficult to sort through the clutter. Consider the following:

Look Into a Referral Service: Lawyers all belong to a state Bar Association chapter, which is a subsidiary of the American Bar Association. By visiting the ABA website you can locate your states referral service. This option is free, and often one of the best ways to narrow your options.

Internet: Take a look through a few of the many lawyer search services online. Many are sorted by location and specialty.

Friends and Family: Sometimes the best approach is simply asking family and friends for referrals. Someone else's experience is a great way to gain an idea of how an attorney performs. Once you have a few potential candidates you can try calling their practices to schedule a consultation.

While divorce can quite a rough period for anyone, there's no reason to make it more complex than it already is. Trust in your gut, and make the decision that feels right to you.