Choosing the Best Divorce Lawyer for You
Family law is a complex area of practice and the outcome of your divorce can not only affect you, but your family, your circle of friends and your financial future. So it’s important to choose the best divorce lawyer for you.
Each family law case is unique, and you want a family lawyer who you feel you can trust with the most important and private aspects of your life. The best divorce lawyer for one person may not be the best divorce lawyer for you.
So how do you choose?
Is their Approach Hard-hitting or Conciliatory?
If you’re expecting a fight, you may want to look for a lawyer with a lot of experience in court. You want someone who will not back down when fighting for your rights. If you want a more amicable approach to your divorce, the best divorce lawyer may be one who prefers mediation, and has a proven track record in mediating or negotiating fair deals.
What is Their Success Rate in Cases like Yours?
Outline your case and ask your divorce lawyer about past experiences with cases like yours. They should be able to outline past solutions without revealing confidential case details. This will help give you a comfort level with the experience, and provide an idea of what you can expect if you work with them on your case.
Do They Have Experience with Child Custody?
“Child custody” has been replaced with terms like parenting time, and decision-making responsibilities. Achieving a good future for their children can be the most important issue to parents who are divorcing. If you have children, you’re going to want to make sure your family law attorney has plenty of experience negotiating agreements in the best interests of the child.
Do you Want a Sole Practitioner or Small Firm, or the Resources of a Larger Firm?
A sole practitioner or small firm may have time to be devoted to your case, or they may be pulled in many directions. A larger firm can draw on the resources of the entire firm to help with your case. There is no right answer, but you can get a feeling about what’s right for you by taking a look at their website, and consulting with them prior to taking them on.
What Are Their Fees?
This too is a tricky one, because you get what you pay for. A less experienced lawyer may offer a lower hourly rate, but may take more time to resolve your case. An experienced family lawyer may charge more, but have the experience to resolve your case quicker. If finances are a big consideration in choosing the best divorce lawyer for your case, ask if they have any packages or payment plans. Be wary of bargains! Many bargain offers are either for poor services, or tricks to get you in the door and charge you more.
Be Wary of Guarantees
Any lawyer who guarantees an outcome is fooling themselves – and you. Divorce cases are complex and ever-changing. The best divorce lawyer will be up front and practical about this.
Meet With Them First
Book a consultation and prepare questions to help you determine if they are a good family lawyer, and the right one for you. Listen to the way they talk and the terms they use. Are they giving you a canned script, or are they truly listening to what you say? Go with your gut – if something feels off, it probably is.
Does Sutherland Law Have the Best Divorce Lawyer for Your Case?
At Sutherland Law, our legal team understands the impact of family law matters on your life, and we handle your case with the care it deserves. We are committed to negotiation and settlement. We work hard to meet the goals of our clients without the stress and costs of going to court. If resolution is not possible, we’ll skillfully represent your interests in court to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. If you’re interested in working with one of our family lawyers, contact us today to book a consultation or start your case online.
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