How to Find a Divorce Attorney Who Gives You a Competitive Edge

Navigating through the complex issue of divorce can be emotionally challenging and legally complex. As couples seek to end a marriage, it becomes crucial to have a divorce lawyer who can provide not only competent legal advice but also a competitive edge in achieving a desirable outcome.

Understanding a Divorce Lawyer’s Role

Before we take a look at the qualities of a good divorce attorney, it’s a good idea to take a quick step back and make sure you understand the role an attorney plays in this process.

A divorce attorney is involved with negotiations, paperwork, and proceedings that revolve around dividing assets, coming up with custody agreements, determining spousal support (if necessary), and working through the details of prenuptial agreements and other related marital documents.

At a surface level, it might seem like an attorney is just another expense in the divorce process. But as anyone who has gone through the process with a good lawyer in the past knows, they play an invaluable role. Not only do they influence the outcome – including things like custody, division of assets, etc. – but they also provide a sense of stability and confidence throughout a stressful and uncertain process.

Qualities to Look For in a Divorce Attorney

There are literally hundreds of divorce attorneys – if not thousands – in your state alone. And, if we’re being honest, not all of them are worth your time. You have to be quick to know which qualities are worth seeking out and which ones are red flags.

In terms of what you want to look for, here are some of the top ones:

Track record. You want to find an experienced family law attorney who has been in the business for at least five years (as opposed to some youngster who just passed the Bar exam last week). Not only that, but it’s best to find a divorce attorney who has an existing track record of helping people in situations that are similar to yours. Different divorce attorneys specialize in different types of cases. If there are unique elements to yours, find one who is familiar with your situation.

Rapport. You’re going to spend a fair amount of time with your attorney during this process. And you’ll have to divulge a lot of sensitive information so they can serve you to the best of their abilities. Thus, you want some level of rapport with them. Your attorney doesn’t have to be your best friend, but there should be a mutual level of trust.

Negotiation skills. From a legal perspective, divorce is a game of negotiation. Your attorney needs to have the communication and persuasion skills necessary to ensure your best interests are represented throughout the process.

The Best Approaches to Finding a Divorce Attorney

Once you know what to look for, it’s time to start searching for an attorney. There are several different routes you can go here, but here are two:

Referrals: Always start with a referral from someone in your personal circle of influence (if possible). There’s no better way to find someone trustworthy than by gathering recommendations from people you trust. Keep your ears open for repeat recommendations. If a name gets mentioned more than once, there’s a good chance it’s someone worth pursuing.

Online research: The days of flipping through the phone book to find an attorney are long gone. There are tons of helpful online resources that make it easy to find and vet attorneys. This includes a variety of legal directories, online forums, and even individual firm websites.

When you find someone you’re interested in potentially working with, schedule an initial consultation. These are almost always free. During this initial meeting, pick the attorney’s brain, ask questions, and get a feel for whether or not it’s something you can see yourself working well with.

Adding it All Up

Once you’ve conducted an initial consultation with two or three attorneys that are high up on your list, you’ll have to make a final decision. Hopefully, at this stage of the process, any attorney you work with is going to be well qualified. However, at the end of the day, always trust your instincts. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the entire divorce process – so choose wisely!