3 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Divorce Attorney
Filing for divorce can feel
like jumping into the unknown. You must learn to live on your own, parent your
children without your co-parent by your side, determine who will get what, and find
a divorce attorney all at once. Most people get divorced once in their lives,
meaning they likely do not have a divorce lawyer on hand when they need one
most. Without experience with divorce attorneys, you may ask a close friend who
they would recommend, or you might turn to your favorite search engine for
help. Regardless of the way in which you handle the search process, the hunt is
far from over when you make your first phone call.
It is
always suggested that you meet with a few attorneys before narrowing down your
search to a single professional. The free consultation that most attorneys
offer does not require you to establish a permanent relationship with that
person. The reason this free consultation is offered is to allow you to get a
sense of the qualifications of a legal professional and their approach to
divorce cases before committing. Aside from their location and practice area,
there are a number of things that you should look for when determining which divorce attorney is best for you.
Years in the Business
While it is always nice to
support a young professional, your divorce is not a situation where you want to
take a chance on someone who does not have the necessary experience. The
attorney who you work with will play a large role in determining what your
future path will look like. Without adequate knowledge of local laws, judges,
and courts, a less-experienced attorney will not have the same edge that a
seasoned professional can provide. You should look for an attorney who has at
least 10 years of experience under their belt. That way, you know they have
passed the “testing the waters” phase of their career and are well prepared to
take on the intricacies of your case.
Litigation Experience
Not all marriages end with
bad blood. In fact, many couples simply drift apart over the years and mutually
decide that divorce would be best for them both. While a mutual decision may
reduce the risk of a contentious divorce, you never know what rough waters lie
in your future. Divorce proceedings require a complete reviewal of financial
circumstances, parenting abilities, and any misconduct that may have occurred
throughout your marriage. These topics can easily bring out the worst in
people, even if their relationship is fairly amicable before the divorce
process. It is critical that your divorce attorney has experience with
courtroom litigation, which will ensure that they can take on any twists and
turns that may come with your divorce. An experienced litigator will have
extensive knowledge of the court system in your area and the legal strategies
that work best when you find yourself in front of a judge alongside your former
spouse.
Compatibility
At the end of the day, you
must be able to work with your attorney in an agreeable manner. You will likely
get a sense of your compatibility in your initial consultation — you either fit
or you don’t. Divorce proceedings can be emotional for the spouses who are
filing. You want to find an attorney who is patient enough to work with you at
your worst but honest enough to tell you when your expectations are
unrealistic. You should also be sure that you do not have any conflicts of
interest that may put you at risk by hiring this attorney. Most attorneys will
recognize potential conflicts of interest before anything progresses. However,
you should have your own monitor for possible connections or relationships that
you may share, placing your professional relationship in question. Since you
will be baring the best and worst details of your marriage to them, it is
crucial that you feel that you can place your trust in them.
Finding a Reputable Divorce Attorney
The thought of doing
advanced research of legal professionals in your area is probably not at the
top of your list when it comes to divorce. You are probably focused on healing
from the breakup, assisting your child with the transition period, and
determining what your future will look like without your spouse in it. The best
attorneys will allow you to continue doing this life reconsideration and
self-reflection while taking control of the legal process.
If you are looking for a Kane County divorce lawyer who
fits you and your family, take the time to do your research and meet with legal
professionals in your area. Ask direct questions about their qualifications,
determine your rapport, and allow yourself to think about it before making your
decision. Divorce may be a challenging life hurdle, but the proper attorney
will help you make it past this obstacle and move forward to a positive future.
Bio:
Tricia D.
Goostree knew she wanted to be an attorney when she was 10 years old. After
being accepted to the John Marshall Law School with a Dean's Scholarship, Tricia
added excellent writing skills to her love of working in the courtroom. Tricia
is the founder and managing partner of the Goostree Law Group, P.C. in St.
Charles, Illinois.
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