Unfortunately, divorce has become very common and it seems like these days it has become a lot easier to come across a divorced couple, than a married one. And the truth is, this entire process is very stressful, emotionally draining, and intense.
Now, just because you’re getting divorced, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you must hire an attorney, however, that’s highly recommendable, particularly if the other spouse has one. In these instances, being without an advocate can cause many issues.
That’s precisely why you should definitely consider this option. Finding a good lawyer is essential to minimize the ado of going through this challenging process. If you want to make sure you’ve picked the best one, then follow these tips below.
Useful Ways To Hunt Down A Great Divorce Solicitor
Determine What You Really Want
The first thing that you should do is to figure out what type of attorney you are searching for. For instance, if you need legal support concerning child custody, then you should be hiring a family law lawyer.
The same goes for any other type of legal issue. You have to be sure that this firm or legal expert specializes in the areas that surround your case. In these types of situations, knowing exactly what you want and need is going to make this whole process a bit less stressful and time-consuming.
Organizations To Check Out
The internet is loaded with helpful places where you can gather all the beneficial info. For instance, you can go to websites like Lawyers.com, Avvo, and Martindale-Hubbell to check out reviews concerning lawyers specializing in divorce cases, or you can also opt for an association of advocates focused on family and divorce law that frequently offers search portals for members. Out there, you can collect in-depth info related to this topic.
Besides these examples that were previously mentioned, there are other sites that are useful as well:
- The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – concentrates on raising the standards and education regarding family law. Here you can search for a solicitor by state and city.
- The American Bar Association’s Department of Family Law involves thousands and thousands of members from different parts of the world. On this website, you can also search for lawyers by state.
- International Academy of Family Lawyers – whose members include some of the best divorce attorneys in the world. The main goal of this organization is to enhance the practice of divorce and family law globally. Additionally, it offers a search portal as well, where you can hunt down numerous divorce advocates across different countries and regions.
What Else Needs To Be Done?
Be Real With Yourself And This Entire Process
In these types of situations, you must be very honest and realistic with yourself. Bear in mind, that the entire purpose of this legal process is to resolve custody problems and distribute the assets.
The main goal of your solicitor is to give everything that’s in his or her power to represent you in the best possible way. No matter how angry and stressed you are at this very moment, keep in mind, that these people are not your therapists or friends, and they are not obligated to listen to your frustration.
Remember that time is money and that you’ll be wasting it completely if you’re using your lawyer as a shoulder to cry on. Therefore, it’s of huge importance to be realistic about the role your attorney has and what you can expect from him/her.
Reach Out To People You Trust
Now, if by any chance there are people in your circle who know some trustworthy legal experts reach out to them for a referral. This can literally be anyone you love, such as your friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, etc.
Another great option when it comes to this is to consult with another advocate. For instance, if you have a real estate solicitor, he or she might just be able to give you a good recommendation.
These types of referrals are generally the most reliable ones because no attorney is going to jeopardize their reputation by recommending someone who is mediocre or worse.
Don’t Forget The Online Reviews
Generally speaking, online reviews can offer an excellent insight into the quality of a lawyer. One of the best ways to see what kind of experience others have had is to go directly to the website of a particular law firm.
Now, although this can be a great source of information, bear in mind, that no firm/advocate is going to publish negative comments on their website, hence, it would be great to browse the web and visit the social media profiles of these firms to uncover all types of reviews, meaning both negative and positive ones. With this type of information, you’ll be able to size the bigger picture when it comes to a particular legal expert.
Do Not Focus Solely On One Solicitor
Your main goal is supposed to be to find someone reliable who is going to be able to properly represent you. One of the best ways to see whether you two are a perfect match is to sit down with that person and discuss your case.
This will show you if your personalities mesh. In this situation, it’s crucial to have several “candidates”, so you can have other options in case you realize that you didn’t “click” with a certain attorney.
Topics That Should Be Discussed
Keep in mind, that every divorce lawyer is different, however, there are some things that should be discussed so that everything is crystal clear regarding your case. These are the questions that your advocate will most likely ask:
- Does one of you two own a business?
- Were you living together before you got married?
- Do any of you have some debts?
- Is your spouse going to play the “blame game” when it comes to divorce?
As you can see, there are a plethora of aspects that have to be taken into consideration when you’re trying to find a high-quality solicitor. So be sure to check out all our tips to see what has to be done.