Getting divorced can be an emotional roller coaster, especially when children are involved. Having good legal representation can help you through this process and make it as smooth as possible. A qualified Denver divorce lawyer can advise you on the next steps in your case and the specifics of your jurisdiction’s divorce laws. This article highlights several other tips and steps you can take to help you find an experienced divorce attorney.
Steps to Getting A Divorce Attorney
This section will be a 5-step guide to help readers locate the best attorney to handle their divorce. Here are the steps;
1. Set your Goals
Before looking for a divorce lawyer, it’s important to sit down and think about what you want from the divorce process. What are your goals and priorities? If you want child custody or to keep a fair share of the property, you’ll need an attorney or a firm that specializes and has a reputation in that area.
Once you know what you want, you can start looking for a lawyer who can help you achieve them. You may ask friends or family members for recommendations, while you can also research online. For your online search, you can also try using an attorney directory that lists lawyers by city or state. Online directories will provide reviews from past clients and their experiences working with the attorneys in question.
2. Narrow Your List
Now that you have a list of potential attorneys you can hire, it is time to narrow it down. You only get to hire one attorney or firm for your divorce, so you want to ensure that you put your money on the best. Create a checklist of factors that you want to use to screen the prospects on your list.
Go through your goals and find lawyers who have a track record of winning cases related to the things you need. You can also contact some of their past clients to ask if the attorneys handled their divorce well or if there is any problem that you should be wary of.
3. Interview Prospective Attorneys
Meeting prospective attorneys is another way to determine the perfect candidate to hire for your divorce. You want someone who can convince your partner to let go of something they usually wouldn’t. Such people can prove themselves worthy by convincing you to hire them.
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask when you meet them. You could ask the following questions:
- What is your relationship with the local divorce judges? It is typical to see judges have a record of ruling in a direction. For example, some judges are known to be lenient with more records of shared custody rulings. A lawyer familiar with the judges will be better prepared to pull up a strong case if you are looking for full custody of the kids.
- What is your experience with negotiating financial and property settlements in big cases? Sometimes, divorce cases get wound up with various other issues like financial and property disputes. Such cases will require special handling from an attorney with expertise in business and family law.
- How much do you charge? Knowing how much the attorney charges helps you reduce your selection to meet your budget. Understand the payment structure and ask if there will be additional costs as the case progresses.
What To Look For In A Divorce Attorney
Finding a list of attorneys who claim to be qualified is easy, but if you want the best, you need to find your needle in the haystack. You already know you should interview them to learn more about them before choosing, but how do you know when you have found the right person?
These three qualities will help you ensure an attorney that cares about your interests and has enough experience to help you get through the divorce.
- Experience
The first quality to look out for is the experience. You want to hire an attorney who has worked on multiple divorce cases similar to the conditions surrounding your divorce. If the person has served in bar associations within your area, that would indicate that the person is well respected and has a sterling reputation.
To tip the scales in your favor, you can also check for attorneys with a history with court judges. These attorneys understand how to play the person who will give the final verdict, which can be an advantage for you.
- Approach
You want to hire an attorney who understands your plight and is ready to help you get what you want without causing further conflict. You can know their approach by asking them how they plan to handle the divorce issues.
Some lawyers like to play offense, while others like to play defense. It doesn’t mean that any of them are wrong or do not know how to play their game. You have to go with the lawyer whose approach resonates best with you.
- Professionalism
Divorces come with a lot of tension and stress. Sometimes you might even go out of character, maybe in meetings with your partner’s attorney. So when selecting an attorney, find one who can handle all the outbursts that spur from a divorce proceeding. Get a trustworthy, patient, and respectful lawyer, and you will be thankful for that. Your divorce attorney will ensure that the divorce process goes smoothly.
Never go through a divorce without a good attorney.
Divorce can be complicated and overwhelming, especially if children are involved or there are large assets to manage. If you’re going through a divorce, don’t try to go it alone! You need someone who knows the court system inside and out and can protect your interests regarding property division, child custody and support, alimony, and other aspects of your divorce.
A good family lawyer will help you present your case in court in the most favorable light possible so that you get what you deserve without incurring unnecessary costs or harming your case further down the line. Contact an experienced family law attorney today.
You’ll have a better chance of securing what you need in the divorce if you have an attorney on your side from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are divorce attorneys affordable?
The average cost of hiring these attorneys is less than $300. However, the divorce process can extend for months, so that affordability will depend on the depth of your pocket.
How do I know if I have found the right divorce attorney?
The right divorce attorney in Denver will show empathy and readiness to go to any length to help you get what you want.
No, partners are not allowed to share a divorce attorney. Your divorce attorney will look out for your best interest. If they are also representing your partner, there will be a conflict of interest which makes them ineligible to represent you.
