shedding light on the difficult tasks in divorce


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Tips for Choosing a Lawyer

Tips for Choosing a Lawyer

You may want to avoid lawyers who:
  • Are general practitioners and don’t specialize in family law
  • Have reputations for being aggressive and are disliked by lawyers and judges
  • Have less than five years of family law experience
  • Represent substantially more men than women
  • Take a majority of their clients’ divorce cases to trial
  • Won’t go to trial under any circumstances, even if necessary
  • Don’t handle child custody and support issues (if applicable)
  • Charge hourly fees you can’t afford
  • Refuse to use written retainer contracts
  • Are confusing and don’t answer questions clearly
  • Make you feel uncomfortable
You may want to choose a lawyer who:
  • Has a reputation for being well-liked, respected and successful
  • Represents an equal number of men and women or mostly women
  • Has five to ten years of family law experience
  • Is a family law specialist certified by your state’s bar association
  • Has family law trial experience in your city’s courts
  • Is familiar with the family law judges and lawyers in your city
  • Successfully settles a large number of cases
  • Charges reasonable hourly fees you can afford
  • Always uses written retainer contracts
  • Is a good listener, explains things to you clearly and answers your questions
  • Makes you feel comfortable and assured

This article is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney if you have legal questions that relate to your specific divorce.

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