A Divorce is Not Something Any of Wish For – But Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer Can Save You Thousands

If your marriage has come to the place where a divorce is the only option, choose your divorce lawyer carefully, making the wrong choice could cost you thousands of dollars and years of frustration.  Divorces are difficult, no matter the circumstances, but add in the strains of a long and grueling legal battle and it can be hell on earth.
When communication between spouses is not longer possible, it’s time to bring in either one of three parties.

A marriage counselor
An arbitrator
A Divorce lawyer

I’m in favor of a long and healthy marriage with divorce only is the final option, and oft times a divorce lawyer can server the role of mediator.  They are (or should be) an unbiased third party, the voice of reason, listening to both sides and making suggestions that are possibly beneficial to the long term success of the marriage.

The question then is this; how do you go about choosing the right divorce lawyer?  Do you simply open up the phone book and start flipping through, that wouldn’t be the best method, though there are some who have done just that.  First and foremost would be to talk with friends and associates who might have been down a similar path.  You might find one particular divorce lawyer’s name mentioned repeatedly.  When this happens, you know you’re on the right path.  Of course it might be difficult to discuss these matters with friends, but believe me, it is far better than choosing a lawyer by chance and finding out later that he/she was not the right choice.

If however you choose not to talk with friends, consider talking with battered women shelters, or agencies that exist to help women, they will often have several lawyers for you to consider.  While no one wants to take their divorce problems to their social or church group, you can often find answer and recommendation there.  We are all human; none of perfect and most of us have legal problems at one time or another.

Having spoken with those who have had negative experience with their lawyers, (they did not get referrals), take the time however difficult and do some research.  You can talk with friends, search online, call agencies, read websites, etc., but make certain you know as much as you can about a lawyer, prior to your first appointment.

Be careful about how much money you give your divorce lawyer up front, if they have your money they might have little incentive to take the next step to ensure your satisfaction.  Find a lawyer that you are comfortable with in all areas, and one that is willing to work with you in matters of emotions and finances.

While your divorce is certainly stressful and emotional, attempt to be a businesslike as possible.  You are employing them; the divorce lawyer is working for you and you are the boss.  While we do want a lawyer who we can work with, they aren’t (in most cases) someone we will socialize with.  Make certain that once you reach an agreement, it is put in writing.  You’ll have enough on your mind and you don’t want to add to the burden by having lawyer, client misunderstandings.

Be certain that you have a way of easily contacting your attorney, and while you shouldn’t expect their home phone number, they should provide a fax, email, or phone number that is checked often and responded to.  Do your own research so you know about the divorce laws in your state, the more knowledgeable you are, the more respect you’ll garner from your attorney.

Speak with the courthouse and find out if there is any information you might read concerning the divorce laws and your lawyer in particular.  Sometimes you’ll find a lot of information that is freely available.  There are some courthouses and states that offer a divorce kit which allows you to fill out much of the information yourself, and this might save you a good deal of money.

And while you might want to rush through and put the divorce in your past, pause take a breath and make informed, not emotional decisions.

A divorce will be traumatic even in the best of situations, having the right divorce attorney on your side can make the journey a much less stressful road.