| |
| |
|
INFO - FULL .COM articles and information |
Selecting a divorce lawyer to handle your family law case is a very important decision. The following are a few important criteria to help in finding the right divorce lawyer.
Experience and Focus
Any divorce lawyer you consider should have substantial experience in handling divorce cases in your location. An experienced divorce lawyer will know the tendencies of the various judges in your jurisdiction and should be able to use this knowledge to your advantage. Additionally, that lawyer should practice primarily in the field of divorce law. Often people will hire a lawyer who practices primarily in some other area, thinking that any lawyer will do. However, divorce law is a very specialized field that requires particular skills and experience in order to have a likelihood of reaching a successful conclusion.
Past Client Testimonials
Perhaps the best way to decide which divorce lawyer to use for your divorce case is to find out what former clients have to say about that lawyer. While divorce is never an enjoyable process, some divorce lawyers have more success at satisfying their clients than others. If you do not know someone who has been a client of that particular divorce lawyer, you should consider asking the lawyer for a list of clients that you can contact who can describe their experience with the lawyer. While client confidentiality is important, any good experienced divorce lawyer should have at least a few former clients who are willing to vouch for him or her.
Accessible
When a client becomes dissatisfied with a divorce lawyer, one of the most common complaints is that they were unable to communicate with the lawyer. It is very important that your divorce lawyer be accessible and prompt in responding to your phone calls, emails, and requests for meetings. While you can ask the divorce lawyer about their office policy, this is another area where you can best evaluate the divorce lawyer by hearing what former clients have to say.
If a former client of the lawyer tells you that they found it very difficult to contact the attorney, or that the lawyer either did not return calls or respond to emails or would take several days to do so, you should definitely avoid that lawyer. Divorce is an unpleasant and frustrating process under the best of circumstances. If you are unable to reach your divorce attorney, or at least someone on his or her staff, the frustration level can increase exponentially.
Fees
When you make your initial appointment with the divorce attorney, you should inquire about a consultation fee. Some lawyers do brief initial consultations for free, although most experienced divorce lawyers will charge between $100.00 and $200.00 as a consultation fee, or will charge their normal hourly rate.
For example, I charge a flat $100.00 consultation fee with no additional hourly charges, regardless of the length of the meeting. Essentially, the consultation fee is to "weed out" those people who are not serious about the possibility of hiring me. Given that my normal hourly rate is $200.00/hour and the usual typical consultation takes about 90 minutes, the charge for my consultation is significantly discounted. Therefore, you shouldn't let a consultation fee scare you away from interviewing a particular lawyer.
During the consultation it is vitally important that you have a candid discussion with the prospective divorce lawyer about fees and what you can expect. Typically, an experienced divorce lawyer will require the payment of a substantial retainer up front, against which that lawyer's hourly rate and expenses will be charged. You should find out what that lawyer's hourly rate is, what the up front retainer will be, whether any portion of the retainer is refundable if it is not exhausted, and how often you can expect to receive invoices that detail their hourly charges and expenses. You also will want to know how detailed the invoices are. Once again, this is another area where you can get excellent information from those people who have been clients of that divorce lawyer.
Comfortable
While all the above issues are important, there is one final question you should ask yourself before hiring a divorce lawyer. Are you comfortable with that lawyer and are you confident in his or her abilities? If the answer is anything other than a resounding "yes," you should keep looking. Your case is too important to entrust to someone who does not inspire your confidence.
Scott Morgan is a Houston attorney who practices exclusively in the field of divorce and family law. He has practiced family law in Texas since 1994. For more information go to http://www.houstondivorce.com
 MTV.com | Heidi Montag Files for Divorce from Spencer Pratt People Magazine Montag, 23, cites the usual irreconcilable differences in the divorce petition filed in Santa Monica, Calif., Superior Court. ... Heidi and Spencer -- The Divorce is On Heidi Montag Spencer Pratt Still Together, No Plans for Divorce! Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt still spending time together |
 Telegraph.co.uk | Skullduggery in divorce proceedings The Guardian (blog) Under scrutiny was the conduct of the Tchenguiz brothers who, fearing that Mr Imerman would conceal his assets in their sister's divorce proceedings, ... Divorce ruling set to transform 'big money' cases Charter for cheats: Divorce couples shouldn't spy on each other's financial ... Landmark ruling on divorce cases |
 CBS News | Kyron Horman Update: Stepmom Asks for Divorce Delay CBS News Terri Horman's attorney, Peter Bunch, filed a motion for abatement to delay the divorce proceedings claiming that "intense scrutiny" by law enforcement and ... Oregon boy's stepmom says no contest in divorce Kyron's Parents in Touch With Oprah but Say They Won't Take Money for Story WW report: Kaine wishes plot against him had succeeded |
Gut Check: Doggie Custody? CNN (blog) When their eight-year marriage ended in divorce, the couple managed to resolve all outstanding issues - except for who would get to keep Lucky. ... |
 CBC.ca | Chelsea and Marc: Marriage Highlights an Interfaith Trend FOXNews Statistics vary depending on the study, but experts generally agree that interfaith marriages have a higher divorce rate. And divorce statistics vary ... We Need More Chelsea Optimism Seeing the "for worse" hasn't scared Chelsea from the altar Clinton Wedding Raises Questions of Interfaith Marriage |
Divorce is costly. The settlement need not be. Christian Science Monitor Divorce need not entail a fierce battle between partners. A collaborative approach can produce harmonious, creative, and lasting solutions. ... |
The Real Reason Couples Divorce Huffington Post (blog) That's why the divorce rate for second marriages is 60 percent, and for third marriages it's 73 percent. Things only seem different in a new relationship. ... |
 Central Florida News 13 | Missing boy's stepmother won't fight divorce Seattle Times The stepmother of a missing Oregon boy has decided not to contest the divorce sought by the father of Kyron Horman. By The Associated Press PORTLAND — The ... Terri Horman's divorce attorney cites intense media, police scrutiny, for ... Horman Divorce Back In Spotlight Motion Filed To Stall Horman Divorce |
 Examiner.com | 'The Hills' -- Former star of show Heidi Montag to officially divorce Spencer ... Examiner.com Not only has the star allegedly separated from her husband, but she has also reportedly filed for a divorce. According to the report by People Magazine, ... |
NY Judge Calls Husband's Pre-Divorce Filing of Back Taxes 'Despicable' Law.com "It is well settled that expenses (including unpaid taxes) incurred prior to the commencement of a divorce action constitute marital debt which, ... |
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |