In 2021, there were 948,862 divorces in the United States. If you’re currently going through a divorce, you’re not alone.
Going through a divorce is never easy, but the process can be much easier to bear if you hire a great lawyer. Having the right divorce lawyer can help make all of the proceedings related to a divorce go much more smoothly. By taking the time to find a great divorce lawyer, you’ll have someone on your side who’s fighting for your best interest.
If you want to find the best divorce lawyer in your area, keep reading. Here are 7 tips that you need to use when choosing a divorce attorney.
1. Start Online
The first step to finding a good divorce lawyer is to spend some time doing online research. You should search for attorneys in your area who focus on family and divorce law and then dig deeper to find out more about them.
Be sure to click through to each lawyer’s website to read more about them and their services. It might also be worth checking out their social media pages or blog posts to learn more about them as well.
Finally, make sure that you read online reviews on the lawyer. Find out more about what others’ experiences have been with the lawyer. This can give you a good idea of whether they’ll do a good job or not.
2. Choose a Divorce Process
An important thing to think about when choosing a divorce lawyer is the divorce process.
If you are interested in mediation and collaborative divorce options, make sure that you choose an attorney that specializes in these. Alternatively, if you need to go to court, make sure that you have a divorce lawyer that knows what they’re doing in that area. They should have plenty of experience in the courtroom.
Additionally, make sure to consider what kind of lawyer your spouse has hired. If they intend to be aggressive with their approach, you may want to find a lawyer who you believe will be aggressive as well.
3. Consider the Details
Keep in mind that the choice you make when hiring a lawyer should vary depending on how many children you have, how many assets you have to split up, and what your real estate situation is.
Hiring a law firm that is skilled in the area of finance and real estate can be beneficial if these things will come into play during the divorce proceedings. When splitting assets and real estate, divorce can become much more complicated, so it’s likely that you’ll need knowledgeable attorneys to help you manage the details.
While it may not be necessary if your marriage didn’t involve children or shared assets, finding a lawyer who understands these intricacies will be very important otherwise.
4. Know Your Budget
Although you should be aiming to get the best lawyer that’s available, you’ll need to keep your budget in mind as well. Think about what you can afford and be sure that you inquire with any lawyers that you’re thinking about hiring to find out what their prices are.
Make sure that you understand everything there is to know about their pricing structure and the fees involved so that you’ll be able to stay within budget. Being sure you understand the pricing structure from the beginning will help you avoid surprises later on and will help ensure that you’re satisfied with your hiring decision.
5. Look for Trust
When meeting with a lawyer before hiring them, make sure that you spend some time considering their personality as well.
Chances are that you’ll be emotional during your divorce, so you need to hire someone who you feel that you can trust and who will help keep you grounded when necessary. Make sure that you connect with your divorce lawyer on a personal level. You should be able to trust them to help you make good decisions that aren’t based only on the emotions you may be feeling at any given moment.
Finding a lawyer that you connect with and feel like you can trust can help you go through your divorce proceedings while feeling calmer and more confident.
6. Compare Your Options
While you may be in a hurry to get a good divorce lawyer on your side, make sure that you don’t rush the decision too much. Be sure that you spend time interviewing at least two or three different lawyers before choosing one to hire.
Spending some time on the interview process and comparing your options will allow you to make the best choice possible. It will help you ensure that you understand the differences between them fully.
After comparing your options, you’ll be better equipped to hire a divorce lawyer that meets your requirements. Don’t be afraid to move on from a particular lawyer you were considering if you get the feeling that they won’t be the best choice for your needs.
7. Get Help From Family and Friends
When looking for a divorce attorney, it can be worth getting assistance from people that you know. If you know someone who has gone through a divorce, you may want to ask them for a referral and get an idea of how well the lawyer handled your friend or family member’s divorce.
Even if you don’t know anybody who went through a divorce recently, however, it can still be worth getting help from a friend or family member.
When conducting interviews or meeting with a lawyer, it can be useful to have someone you trust with you. A family member or friend can help you talk to the lawyer and help you avoid making poor decisions regarding your case if you get emotional.
Choosing the Right Divorce Attorney With These Tips
If you need to hire a divorce attorney, don’t settle for second best. Be sure to use all of the tips above to find an attorney that you know you can count on.
Are you ready to hire a divorce lawyer in Athens, GA? Contact us today to request a consultation.
Cook & Tolley, LLP
304 E Washington St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 549-6111
https://www.cooktolley.com
